Lavender Greens
Encyclopedia
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
's advocacy group on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (GLBTIQ) issues and is an officially accredited (recognized) Identity Caucus
Identity Caucus
An Identity Caucus is a colloquial term for one of the "caucuses of underrepresented groups" affiliated with the Green Party of the United States...
of the Green Party. NLGC works for the elimination of heterosexism
Heterosexism
Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. It can include the presumption that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the only norm and therefore superior...
and all its manifestations such as homophobia
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
, violence, prejudice, and injustice against GLBTIQ communities. NLGC also works for the elimination of racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and sexism
Sexism
Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is the application of the belief or attitude that there are characteristics implicit to one's gender that indirectly affect one's abilities in unrelated areas...
and all their manifestations in GLBTIQ communities and in society as a whole. Their work is centered in the Ten Key Values and the Four Pillars of the Green Party
Four Pillars of the Green Party
The Four Pillars of the Green Party are a foundational statement of Green politics and form the basis of many worldwide Green parties. The Four Pillars are:* Ecological wisdom* Social justice* Grassroots democracy* Nonviolence...
(statements of core principles held in common by Green Party organizations and individuals world wide). It is the view of the NLGC that freedom and social justice for GLBTIQ individuals will only come with the liberation of all people, and they actively view themselves as part of the broader movement for social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and worldwide.
State and local chapters exist across the country, and two Lavender Greens have served in elected office. Green Party members may join the National Lavender Greens Caucus by visiting their web site and filling out a membership form.
The initial elected chair was Brandon Lacy Campos. The current elected co-chairs of the NLGC are Starlene Rankin and Thomas Leavitt.
The Green Party's platform supports same-sex marriage, medical marijuana, needle exchanges, subsidized access to HIV/AIDS medications, equality in all areas of life and law, and ending discrimination
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
in the military against GLBTIQ individuals.
See also
- Outright LibertariansOutright LibertariansOutright Libertarians is an association in the United States of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and other self-identified "queer" people who are active in the Libertarian Party...
- Stonewall DemocratsStonewall DemocratsThe National Stonewall Democrats is an LGBT-rights group based in Washington, D.C. with a political affiliation to the Democratic Party. The word "Stonewall" in its name refers to the 1969 Stonewall riots, a pivotal event in the history of gay rights....
- Log Cabin RepublicansLog Cabin RepublicansThe Log Cabin Republicans is an organization that works within the Republican Party to advocate equal rights for all Americans, including gays and lesbians in the United States with state chapters and a national office in Washington, D.C...
- Lavender (color)Lavender (color)Lavender is a pale tint of violet. It applies particularly to the color of the flower of the same name. The web color called lavender is displayed at right—it matches the color of the very palest part of the lavender flower; however, the more saturated color shown below as floral lavender more...