Quillette Podcast How LGB Became Estranged from T
Jul 31, 2025
Adam Zivo, a Canadian gay activist-turned-journalist, discusses the rift between LGB and T within the LGBTQ movement. He shares how the focus has shifted post-gay marriage, leaving many gay activists feeling sidelined. Zivo critiques the glamorization of historical figures from the Stonewall riots, emphasizing the need for accurate narratives. He navigates the tensions within LGBTQ activism, particularly the clash between diverse strategies and ideologies, while examining the evolution of trans identity amid societal pressures.
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From Practicality to Radicalism
- Contemporary LGBTQ activism increasingly fixates on radical revolution aesthetics over practical political work.
- This shift risks alienating moderate gays and lesbians, fostering impractical politics focused on ideological purity.
2019 Clash In Toronto
- In 2019, Adam Zivo described a clash in Toronto where radical queer activists clashed with organized Christian protesters using militant tactics.
- The LGBTQ activists missed strategic points, enabling opponents to leverage optics despite police separation efforts.
All-or-Nothing Package Backlash
- LGBTQ activism's insistence on an all-or-nothing package turns some moderates away due to concerns over controversial trans policies.
- This fuels a backlash that links anti-trans views with broader rejection of LGBTQ rights, harming the community's unity.