Two days into our uprising about the specific "Same-Sex Pairs Do Not Enter" sign posted at the RWI chapter in Tulsa, Oklahoma - and the more insidious "All Things LGBT Keep Out" attitude of some in the writing industry - we're gearing up for a longer haul. Now what to do? Heidi Cullinan, president of RRW, has posted some ideas on her blog today.
The board of Rainbow Romance Writers is treading a fine line, especially in the public postings whether via email or blog, FB, Twitter, etc. I think the current leadership at RWA national has been blindsided by the backlash to what a tiny chapter in OK has caused. I admit to being responsible for starting some of it, along with key blog posts from several other RRW members. So the RWA board president has responded and said she'll take up the point at the meeting next month. I don't know that it would be realistic to expect them to drop everything and hold an emergency meeting. That doesn't seem to be their way. Now, on the for-profit side, companies in a PR crisis, whose survival is on the line, are generally motivated to do that. Seeing the resentment and backlash against RWA that's been clearly shown, I would think they'd act sooner. This could turn into a PR nightmare for them.
I think Heidi is right to talk about what else we can do to effect change. The point is that we've taken the first step, now we need to move beyond that and make a difference with our wallets and our persons. We can't stop now, we've just begun. The petition drive that's been started by Sara York can be found here.
JenMcJ, Goodreads Librarian, has some great ideas: "Encourage members that have already submitted [to the contest] to withdraw in protest and ask for a submission charge refund. Ask the judges that are being blamed for this (which it looks like are just a scapegoat excuse) to recuse themselves from contests that aren't inclusive. If the majority won't play the game, the game rules have to change."
Read Jen's comments on this link.
I think Heidi is cautioning some who are really caught up in the fervor of bashing RWA to stay focused on what we need to accomplish. I can't speak for her, of course, but that's what I read from her post today. I don't think she's denying the stupid bigotry that started this whole thing. And to my mind it was ignorant, stupid bigotry - fear of the unknown, fear of those who are different - that started the whirlwind.
We need to fight on. We need to show RWA that we are a viable, mainstream part of the publishing industry, growing by leaps and bounds every day. Our readers are from all walks of life, as are our authors. We deserve and demand representation in RWA, in all chapters.
If you agree, keep liking, posting, commenting, tweeting. Keep going.
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