Same Sex Living

There exists in the sociological culture of humanity a phenomenon called “Spiral of Silence” (Noelle-Neumann, 1974). This concept has been observed among the masses when the media repeatedly broadcasts the results of some poll regarding the “majority opinion” on an issue. These are generally “hot button” topics, like gay marriage. What happens with repeated and carefully scripted broadcasts is that those people who do not agree with the “majority” find it increasingly difficult to express their “minority” opinions. Somehow the majority opinion becomes “factual” and any differing position is suspect, threatening or unwelcome.

We in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are very often in that “minority” opinion on civil rights issues, particularly those specific to LGBT rights. While the majority may feel vindicated by numbers, we know that this is not the measure of equality. As Representative Barney Frank, the first openly gay Congressman, states, “Call or write your representative or senator, and then have your friends call and write their representative or senator” (AP Website). He suggests that we should “borrow from the playbooks of the two most effective interest groups, the National Rifle Association and the AARP” (AP Website) since they have the most effective lobbies in the country and that is the strategy they use.

We may not have the numerical majority, but we do have the elevated position of defending and promoting justice. Call, write or email your Representatives and Senators in Congress and express your minority opinion. It matters!

See the following Congressional Email Directory website for contact info on all members of Congress from every state. A couple of clicks and you are on your way out of the spiral of silence.

http://www.webslingerz.com/jhoffman/congress-email.html