Stopping The Hate Exclusive Interview With

James Hipps Project Manager of GayAgenda.Com

By Meghan Chavalier August 27, 2008

 

I recently had the distinct honor and pleasure of interviewing James Hipps, Project Manager Of GayAgenda.Com, a website for the GLBT Community for it's members to discuss news and issues concerning the community worldwide.
GayAgenda.Com launched this past July but is already earning the respect of the community and it's members. We are proud to say we are a huge fan of the website and what it's doing for our community.

 

Tell us about GayAgenda.com. When did it start and what was your inspiration behind the website?

Gay agenda is a relatively new website. We launched it just this past July. The inspiration behind it is to have a place where members of the GLBT Community can go to find news and speak about issues that affects our community worldwide. We also hope to use the site to question those who vehemently opposed the gay community. I personally believe many people who oppose us know they do, but really don’t know why they do. It is our hope that GayAgenda can provide a better understanding of the GLBT community to those both on the outside and inside.

What are your goals for the future?

My personal long-term goal for GayAgenda is that one-day it will not be necessary. I would like to see the need for the site to diminish as equality and acceptance prevails and hatred towards our community ends. In the meantime, I want it to become the first source for those who support and are in our community turn to for news and resources.

Do you sometimes find new stories that personally shock you and if so, is there one that stands out in your mind?

Oh wow! Now that’s a loaded question…LOL. There are so many. You know, as much as I read, you would think that I would become immune to the injustices in the world. But I don’t. I suppose because I have such a great passion for what I do. I was fired once for being gay, and that was very shocking to me. It still shocks me to this day when I read of someone being fired because of his or her sexual orientation. But I would have to say it’s any story of intolerance that shocks me the most. One particular story that sticks out in my mind was an article I read in on the windycitymediagroup.com website which stated “When Capt. Nancy Lipman, a 22-year veteran of the force, was a rookie she heard a lieutenant at roll call say we should go back to Germany and bring back the ovens to use on faggots”. I never get over these things. They always shock me. I’ve never understood how someone can hate anyone so much, especially when they don’t even know the people to whom they are referring. I have to be honest. When I read this, I became numb. But that statement, and others like it, is the very reason I fight so hard to make a difference.

What do you think is the greatest problem facing the LGBT Community today?

Cohesiveness, or lack thereof. It’s ok to be an individual, and to have your own thoughts, but the one thing people don’t realize is that this is not a time to think about what’s best for them as an individual. This is a time to think about what is best for us as a community. People are so selfish. So many in our community, especially those who have profited greatly from the community, tend to think about what they want or what they need. It’s so much bigger than any one person. We all need to step back, and take a look at what will work to improve the world for all of us, not just one.

What do you think could be done to stop hate crimes within the LGBT Community?

We need laws. I believe in the long-term, education will pay off, but right now, we don’t have time to wait for education to take effect. We need laws that set a precedence. If you are found guilty of a hate-crime, then the consequences should be swift and harsh. Hate crimes are the true abomination of the world. We have preachers who carry signs that read “God Hates Fags”, that is a hate crime. I don’t cry very often, but when I hear of hate-crimes, if effects me deeply. It always occurs to me victims could be you, our partners or me. The victims are people who are loved. No one has the right to harm another. I don’t understand that type of anger.

What do you think we could do to change the attitudes of homophobic people in our society?

We need to come out. People need to be out at work. People need to be out to their friends and families. If we were honest about who we are, then perhaps others would see we are people just like everyone else. I also would like to see more mainstreaming of the GLBT community on TV, especially the Gay community. We’re not all like the stereotypes that are depicted through media. I don’t know how many times I’ve had someone tell me; I just can’t believe your gay. You don’t act or look gay. How exactly does one act or look gay? Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to see gay representation in the media, but, it would be nice to see some that weren’t fashion designers or hairdressers….LOL, I believe it would be a great benefit to the LGBT community if people could see the rest of us.

With the political race heating up what do you think each candidate brings to the table for the LGBT Community positive or negative?

Well, I’ll keep this brief, because if I don’t, you’ll get a dissertation. McCain bad, Obama Good.

There seems to be so many issues in the world today, if you could pick one issue and fix it what would it be?

Now that’s a powerful and tough question. I see so much that is so very wrong; it is difficult for me to choose only one. But, I suppose if I could fix one thing, it would be to child abuse. So many children are suffering, and child abuse has so many forms. It’s not only physical or mental abuse, but children learn hate, because they are taught hate. If we could protect children against learning to hate, then it would, with the process of life, disappear. Teaching a child hate or intolerance is child abuse. I also would want to make sure each child was provided for with at least all basic needs including love.

Many celebrities today are coming out of the closet and sometimes not by choice. What do you think of gossip magazines and gossip websites that "Out" celebrities?

I don’t really like that type of media. As strongly as I feel it is important for people to be out, I feel equally as strong that it should be of our own discretion. People should be given the opportunity to accept themselves prior to expecting other to accept them.

As you look back on your life, what are you most grateful for?

My Mother. She has been, and continues to be a positive guiding force in my life. She is the one who taught me self-respect, love and preservation. She taught me to always keep an open mind, and that everyday is an education if you let it be. She has lead a very difficult life, but in spite of all the difficulties she has endured, she has always kept a very positive and open mind. She also taught me what she calls the “10 rule”. Her philosophy is when you become upset about something, ask yourself, is this going to matter 10 seconds, 10 minutes, 10 hours, 10 days, 10 months or 10 years from now. If you answer no to any of those, then let it go and spend your time working on those things that really do matter. I am also extremely grateful for myself, and my sense of humility.

Why do you think that people bring religion into discussions when it comes to LGBT issues?

People have used religion since the beginning of history for control purposes. The same people who use the bible and religion today against the LGBT community are the descendents of those who used and still use the bible to wage wars, kill, maintain racial and ethnic segregation, and oppress women. It’s also very convenient in that it’s easy to speak for God. For one, God isn’t on earth to correct what people claim for God, and people don’t like to consider themselves haters. If someone says homosexuality is an abomination to God, it takes the burden off of him or her. They don’t look bad for saying horrible things, they make God look bad.

What do you think can be done in our government to help the LGBT Community?

Equal rights. But I firmly believe that is up to us as a community. The only way we’ll get equal rights is through representation. We need to vote.

Do you think George W. Bush has accomplished anything in his 8 years in office?

He has accomplished pissing me off…..LOL. Honestly, I think the only thing he has accomplished is making a big mess, and hopefully it’s not too big to be cleaned up.

What role do you see GayAgenda.com playing in the LGBT Community ten years from now?

Ten years from now….hmmmm, Sometimes, because we have so much to do now, I get so stuck in the present it’s hard to think in those terms. But I would like to see GayAgenda.com become a great political resource for those in the world who need help fighting injustices against the LGBT community.

If you could give any advice to someone coming out in the LGBT Community what would it be?

Be prepared. Think very hard about the worst-case scenario, be ready to accept it and overcome. Also, make sure you have a strong support group in place to help you through the tough times.

Thank you Meghan. I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity. I believe strongly we all need to work together to make the world a better place. I would like to close by quoting a statement a very good friend of mine said at an awards ceremony as she was addressing the straight community. “Whether you know it or not, someone you love is Gay, Lesbian, Bi or Transgender. Whether you know them or not, someone Gay, Lesbian Bi or Transgender is fighting for rights from which we will all benefit.” Alicia Perez-Banuet – Former President of Michigan NOW.

Thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule for this interview. We appreciate you and we appreciate the work you're doing for the community.

Please Visit GayAgenda.Com