Undoing the ISMs
The systems of oppression in this country are interconnected and reinforce each other based on ideologies of supremacy. There is no way to address sexism and male supremacy and not recognize the impact of patriarchy on racism, classism, heterosexism and all the other Isms. For example, one cannot understand men’s violence against women without engaging the inequality of law enforcement response to BIPOC and working-class communities. Articles in this section are our attempts to tease out the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that these oppressions parallel each other, reinforce each others, and differ from each other.
The Latest GOP “Blood Libel” Attack on the LGBTQ Community
The recent appearance of the slurs of “Grooming” and “pro-pedophile” in the authoritarian Christianist right-wing media, has a long historical context reminiscent of the medieval “blood Libel”, the anti-Semetic accusations and witch hunts used to stir up anti-Jewish antipathy and violence in the guise of protecting Christian children. These anti-LGBTQ dog-whistles are now being used by […]
Intersectional Dominance-White, Straight, Christian, Patriarchy-Won the 2016 Election!
By Moshe Rozdzial, PhD* Many explanations have been proposed, in the weeks since the presidential election, for Trump’s win, and, to one degree or another, most have some validity. One explanation – working class economic insecurity – seems unsupported. The economy is at its healthiest since the Bush-era recession. Gas prices are at 1998 levels […]
NOMAS Empowerment and Accountability Process
Phyllis B. Frank and Wayne Morris History: When I walked into a NOMAS meeting along with other men and women, I picked up an attitude of arrogance and superiority from one of the white men. This is not an unusual experience and I acted as I most often do. I ignored it and attempted to […]
NOMAS Bylaws on Accountability
ACCOUNTABILITY 11.1 Definition We understand the term accountability to mean an explicit process of voluntary communication and consultation with representatives of social groups whose interests and concerns are considered most relevant and important. Being “accountable” to a group does not mean taking orders from that group, or handing over the responsibility for making appropriate decisions. […]
LGBTQ+ Affirmative position statement
This is the greatest challenge to our integrity, and one of our greatest opportunities to make a real difference in people’s lives; to create positive social change. The homophobia of the majority of American men can hardly be underestimated. We speak out for Gay Rights, even in light of frightening and alienating the majority of […]
Position Statement on Homophobia
As an organization striving to be affirmative of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgendered, queer, and intersexed persons, NOMAS understands homophobia to be the individual and psychological response to those who do not conform to the expectations of binary heterosexual expression. Homophobia, as an irrational fear and loathing, is to be distinguished from heterosexism, which is […]
Position Paper on Gay Rights
The homophobia of the majority of American men can hardly be underestimated. We speak out for Gay Rights, even in light of frightening and alienating the majority of men before they can hear anything else we have to say, not only because gays are among the most oppressed minorities in the world today, or because […]
Lincoln Did Not “Free the Slaves” – The Little-known Story of How Feminists Ended Slavery
By Dr. Robert Brannon It is widely believed that human slavery was ended in the United States by Abraham Lincoln’s ‘Emancipation Proclamation’. This is not true. Human slavery was ended in America primarily by a grass-roots petition campaign led by radical feminists – in particular, by Susan Anthony and her close friend Elizabeth Stanton. Both […]
The Politics of Accountability in Movements for Social Justice
by Jonathan Cohen Accountability has become a watchword in the movement to end domestic violence. It is almost impossible to be involved in any work related to ending domestic violence without hearing the word accountability bandied about. But while some might glaze over at its mention, to battered women, their advocates and allies, it is […]
Gay Parenting
by Moshe Rozdzial, PhD Somewhere between 6 million and 12 million children have been blessed with gay parents. Yet, gay and lesbian parents continue to struggle on a daily basis with the challenges of a homophobic society and institutionalized oppression. Gays and lesbians are the only population facing restrictions on the rights and privileges of […]