Greta Speaking in San Francisco, May 29: "What can the atheist movement learn from the gay movement?"

What can the Atheist movement learn from the gay movement? The atheist movement is already modeling itself on the LGBT movement in many ways -- most obviously with its focus on coming out of the closet. What else can the atheist movement learn from the LGBT movement -- both from its successes and its failures?

I'll be speaking on this very subject in San Francisco, for the San Francisco Atheists group, on Saturday, May 29, at 6pm. I'll be talking about coming out; making atheism a safe place to come out into; defusing the ongoing battles between the firebrands and the diplomats in our movement; avoiding squabbles about language and self-definition; making our movement more diverse; and other lessons that can be learned from the history of the LGBT movement.

The talk will be at Schroder's Restaurant, 240 Front St (meeting room in back), in downtown San Francisco (between California and Sacramento Streets, near Embarcadero BART). The talk will start at 6pm; I'll be talking for about an hour, and there'll be plenty of time for Q&A afterwards. If you're in the Bay Area, I hope to see you there!

Comments

[Calvin Spealman]

As a co-organizer for a local group of atheists currently in a huge debate over many members complaint with our plans to get a booth at pride day, I'm really interested in this talk. Too bad its across the country. Have or will you blog this?

[Greta Christina]

Calvin: I've posted a shorter version of this talk as a post on my blog:

What Can the Atheist Movement Learn from the Gay Movement?

The talk I'm giving in San Francisco will be more fleshed out; but hopefully this will give you a place to start.

And I'm curious: What exactly is this debate about? Is it within the atheist group, or an objection the Pride Day people have to the atheist group having a booth, or what? And what exactly are the problems and issues? This is a big issue for me, and I'd really like to know.

[Eclectic]

Calvin, I'm also interested. As Greta said, she's written about the intersection before.