What is also needed is an in-depth study of why they've failed.  Look into California's Proposition 8 fiasco.  The people fighting it did so with emotion-based tactics.  First they tried to imply that not being able to marry a same-sex partner was the same as slavery and the oppression that blacks have experienced.  This offended a majority of voting blacks, because it essentially labeled the black rights effort as actually being part of the Gay Right movement.  Then the Gay Rights people tried to imply the same thing about the migrant farm workers and their illegal immigration issues, with similar results.  Then the Gay Rights people tried the same implication with the feminist movement -- that didn't go over so well, either.  Then Newsome came out with his "Door's Wide Open" speech and not only offended everyone else, but inspired the rank-and-file gay community into such a state of complacency that they actually stayed home without voting against the proposition that their leaders had been fighting against.  The result?  Prop 8 passed, and there are no more legal same-sex marriages taking place in California.

As far as mainstream NTs of any race or culture are concerned, anything associated with "Gay Rights" is to be ignored (at best) or fought against (at worst).  Keep this in mind when claiming solidarity with the Gay Rights movement.

This post was last modified: 07-26-2010 05:39 PM by Fnord.

They've also had a lot of success, in the terms of this debate, at least. If we can learn from others' mistakes and successes, that's good!

Debate accomplishes little, if anything.  Again, I offer the success of Prop. 8 as my supporting evidence.

Action, not talk, makes all the difference.

Sure. Here, however, we're trying to sort out what actions are most likely to help. Not all would do that!

As I've stated in another thread, our very Aspie-ness works against us.  Generally speaking, we're neither sociable nor confrontational, and many of us are also somewhat inarticulate away from a computer keyboard.  Where does that leave (the majority of) us?

On-Line Activism.

Yeah. Well, it's something, I suppose! It's also, possibly, a way to arrange some off line stuff, though. For those that can do that.

Yeah ... come to think of it, just where was the LGBT 'community' when Jenny McCarthy started spouting her vitriol against us?  Where is their support now that Autism Speaks has set out to exterminate us with their pre-natal 'cure' of genocidal abortions?

Methinks that the LGBT 'community' is looking for a more legitimate cause that they can hitch their movement to and siphon off resources from.

I guess Judge Rotenberg Center's tactics don't qualify as torture?

Yes, they are, but not many of us are forced there, as is the case with school. It isn't meant to be our residence, like a home, nor is it meant to be an establishment selling booze, like a bar.

I oppose aligning ourselves with any other minority group that is not disability related. Simply put we ought to learn from others but our fight both personally and collectively ought to be self driven. Our obstacles are ours and not anyone elses and different.

I see...

thats really interesting because i have always compared our comunity to the gay (sorry GLBT or LGBT) comunity. thats cool
also someone said that we cant work as a comunity like the gays can because were aspies and aspies cant do that- i dissagree compleatly with that statement. i for one bond with other aspies well and i can bond with some nts  as long if we have something in comon (ie an interest in music). we should be more positive.
also whats with the disabled thing - i am not dissabled i am different(i am going to start a thread called NT's have problems too.)

Don't forget the ones that are in between...

Google "murder of autistics"
Then read up on mental health law

Yes, autistics can be beaten, murdered and forced to take drugs - and have been.

It isn't just autism or aspergers. You can be sectioned (effective prison, without trial) and forced to take drugs. If a psychiatrist thinks/feels you're some sort of threat, even if you aren't. Don't hear many people talking about that!