When Gay Times, the UK’s most prestigious LGBTQ+ magazine, hosted a dinner primarily based around animal products to celebrate their 40th anniversary, it sent ripples through both the queer and animal rights communities. The dinner, which was meant to celebrate the progress of LGBTQ+ rights and culture, instead highlighted an uncomfortable truth: the pervasive nature of speciesism within our society, even among those who claim to stand against oppression. In a world where the intersection of identities is becoming increasingly recognized, this event begs the question: can we truly fight one form of oppression while turning a blind eye to others?
The Disconnect Between LGBTQ+ Rights and Animal Rights
Gay Times has historically been a beacon for LGBTQ+ visibility, advocacy, and progress. As a platform, it has championed the rights of marginalized people and given voice to those who have been silenced by the mainstream. However, by hosting a dinner centered around animal abuse, they inadvertently aligned themselves with a system of exploitation that is antithetical to the values they claim to uphold.
The choice to serve primarily animal products at such an event reflects a broader societal disconnect between the fight for human rights and the consideration of non-human animal rights. This disconnect is rooted in speciesism – the belief that humans are inherently superior to other animals, and that our needs and desires justify the exploitation of other sentient beings. In this context, the Gay Times dinner can be seen as a microcosm of a larger issue: the failure to recognize the interconnectedness of all forms of oppression.
Speciesism: The Root of All Oppression
Speciesism is not just a moral failing; it is the foundation upon which many other forms of discrimination are built. The logic of oppression – whether it manifests as racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia – often relies on dehumanizing the “other” and justifying their exploitation. This same logic underpins speciesism, which normalizes the exploitation of non-human animals based on their perceived inferiority.
In her groundbreaking book The Sexual Politics of Meat, feminist author Carol J. Adams explores the links between the oppression of women and the exploitation of animals, arguing that the same patriarchal structures that justify violence against women also rationalize the killing and consumption of animals. This intersectional approach is crucial to understanding why the fight for LGBTQ+ rights cannot be separated from the fight against speciesism.
When Gay Times promotes LGBTQ+ rights while simultaneously endorsing practices that exploit animals, they are perpetuating the same systems of oppression that they claim to oppose. Despite being approached by LGBTQ+ animal rights activists and queer vegans who have tried to educate the magazine on the ethical implications of their choices, the publication, under the leadership of CEO Tag Warner, has ignored these calls for change and continued on a violent path. By ignoring the rights of animals, they reinforce the idea that some lives are worth more than others – a dangerous and hypocritical stance for a publication that prides itself on advocating for equality.
Hypocrisy and the Need for Intersectionality
The hypocrisy of Gay Times’ dinner is not just a matter of inconsistency; it is a betrayal of the principles of justice and equality. Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, emphasizes the importance of understanding how various forms of discrimination overlap and intersect. For the LGBTQ+ community, this means recognizing that the fight for equality cannot be limited to human rights alone.
The movement for LGBTQ+ rights has always been about more than just the right to love who we choose or express our gender freely; it has been about challenging the systems of power that oppress and marginalize. To fully embrace this mission, we must also challenge the exploitation of non-human animals and recognize that speciesism is a form of oppression that intersects with other struggles for justice.
Moving Forward: A Call to Action
As we continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, it is imperative that we broaden our understanding of what it means to fight oppression. This includes examining our own practices and the ways in which they may contribute to the suffering of others – human or non-human. The Gay Times dinner was a missed opportunity to lead by example, to show that the fight for equality is not just about who we are, but also about how we live.
Moving forward, the LGBTQ+ community – and those who support it – must embrace a more holistic approach to justice. This means rejecting speciesism and recognizing the intrinsic value of all sentient beings. It means holding ourselves accountable for the choices we make and ensuring that our actions align with our values.
In conclusion, the Gay Times dinner was more than just a meal; it was a reflection of a deeper issue within the LGBTQ+ movement. To truly stand for equality, we must reject all forms of oppression, including speciesism, and strive to create a world where all beings – regardless of species – are treated with respect and dignity. Only then can we claim to be on the side of justice.