Pagans Lead the Way on Social Justice – A Letter to the Progressive Community

Last updated on: March 10, 2012 at 5:09 pm by Peter Dybing

Pagans Lead the Way on Social Justice – A Letter to the Progressive Community 2012-03-10T17:09:00-06:00 Peter Dybing

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Within the modern Pagan religious community there is a debate raging that will profoundly effect the progressive movement for years to come. This debate around inclusiveness of individuals of varied gender identities comes to the forefront of Paganism while the progressive movement is still fighting to obtain marriage equity in the wider community. Additionally, with the distraction of the recent re emergence of anti women rhetoric it may be years until gender identity issues are a top priority of progressives everywhere.

This issue, while longstanding, emerged front and center when Tran-gendered individuals attempted to attend a “Women only” ritual at a national Pagan conference two years ago. At the same conference this year members of the community staged a silent protest to confront hateful speech around this issue uttered by a well known leader of the Dianic tradition of Wicca. Since then Pagan blogs have been abuzz with the issue.

This debate has all the hallmarks of an emerging social justice movement that will inevitably weave a new thread into the fabric of social justice. There are statements being issued by long time leaders of the women’s rights movement decrying the community branding their position as Bigotry. These well-intentioned leaders who have fought their entire lives for women’s’ rights are unable to even entertain the notion that the community they have manifested has at its core some institutional discrimination. Their actions indicate that they somehow believe that they carry in their hearts no remnants of the unintentional bigotry that being part of this society can manifest.

On a more moderate note there are many well-meaning writers of the same generation writing articles that are well reasoned and highly intellectualized that argue for maintaining the status quo. While it is tempting to see the value in these well written posts, most of those seeking change perceive them as highly polished calls to perpetuate a separate but equal stance on the issue. Many of these individuals are also accustomed to being in the forefront of progressive thought and seem a little uncomfortable in the position of defending the establishment on this issue.

On the other side there are many youthful calls for immediate change. These voices represent where the Pagan community is going in terms of its’ beliefs about social justice. Some of these voices are quick to label individuals who have worked their entire lives for social justice Bigots. The inevitable escalation in rhetoric has caused many in the community to call for a more compassion based dialogue. In some circles these calls are perceived as foot dragging and a lack of support for inclusiveness. Those supporting this change have engaged in everything from silent respectful protest to hate speech of their own in their zeal to achieve change.

In the middle of all this is the national Pagan conference at the epicenter of this social evolution. They did not invite this issue but have chosen to make space for the debate by allowing protests, creating a social network page for discussion and debate and generally providing the issue a platform in the community.

What is most interesting about this debate is how well it conforms to the general outline of past national social justice issues. Elders in this community 60+, with few exceptions, are the ones defending the current system or who are unable to see the inherent discrimination in their actions. Young adults, under 40, seem to be advocating this change with near unanimity. Add to this that many of the middle generation 40-50, while embracing this addition to our understanding of social justice, are issuing calls for civil discourse, moderation in rhetoric and compassion for all sides involved.

It is the youth who will ultimately have their way on this issue even if only by attrition. Their clear view of the inequity of the current situation will become the dominant view with time. Elders in this community risk their own legacy as social justice advocates if they continue to impede this movement. And those in the middle, well they continue to call for compassion and understanding while they await their turn to be the defenders of the system just a few years from now.

Strange, no matter how things change they remain the same.

In the meantime the Trans-Gendered community waits and watches as their interests are woven into the radiant fabric of Social Justice. This issue will be hotly debated in the broader progressive community in the future. May that day come very soon.

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