While Pedro Segarra’s campaign is getting some heat for its Twitter account allegedly automatically following anyone that follows it, this is not the first time that interesting choices have been made involving social media and this campaign.
A fundraiser was previously promoted using Grindr, an app that essentially functions more like Tinder, than say, Facebook or Twitter, in that it is designed specifically for dating, finding a husband, or more commonly, hooking up.
(Those now going to look up that site, brace yourselves for the barrage of shirtless men who apparently have time to go to the gym and get tans.)
Held in the West End, there is no indication that this fundraiser featured romantic or sexual activities.
The screenshot below is thanks to an anonymous reader who sent this along:
Richard
Oh Yawn the perfumed mainstream. Some of us queers are starting a little group, Queers For Anyone But Segarra. Oh I am so glad that many of us have grown up now and don’t have to vote for someone just because they are gay.
Bruce rubenstein
I am against him because of his negligence and incompetence in running city hall…his sexuality. and/or ethnicity aren’t factors for me.
Tony C
I’ve met the organizer of this event. Matt’s a nice guy. He organized the LGBT masquerade ball in Hartford City Hall. I’m pleased to see the queer scene coming forward in Hartford and organizing very public events. Those that are comfortable in the mainstream can enjoy it.
Those that don’t enjoy the public scrutiny have the option to keep their profile low. And Richard has a good point. Sexual orientation politics won’t decide the next mayoral election. There are very real issues in Hartford. The next mayor will need a plan and the will (and support) to execute it. Throwing good parties doesn’t solve the problems.
Kerri Provost
We all know someone and they are all very nice people. I mean, FFS, this isn’t We The People.
This is more about the judgement of the campaign when it comes to how it is promoting itself. There are venues, like Meetup and Facebook, that seem like more appropriate places for campaigning than do any app that exists almost entirely for the sake of hooking up — and that is regardless of whatever variety of sexuality is represented by that app.
As you can see by the ad, the entire message is that Segarra is gay. So, if we’re not offended by the use of the app (and that’s fine) should we at least question why only sexuality is being promoted? As a voter, I would be much more interested in knowing what Segarra has done for the gay community locally, other than admit he is part of it.
Richard
Kerri we hope to be working on exactly that question. But not only what has he done for us, that is easy but what else has he done. I learned many years ago when I was a young in the gay liberation movement, hey 1969 was great, that we were not single issue people and that all issues mattered to us. That idea was somehow lost within the mainstream or the perfumed class as we say.I do know that this blog is not the place to debate gay vrs. queer, mainstream vrs. revolutionary and how our politics differ so I will just give a shrug to some thoughts.
Josh LaPorte
Good point. His admitting being part of the gay community does send strong messages to the larger community, and I value it. But I am interested to know what else he has done for this community. I pay attention but nothing is coming to mind.
I think that outreach via grindr is unusual but clever; a lot of guys are not plugged in to local politics and this might get some people to pay attention, or it might not. It is worth a shot.
I am sure if I want to vote for someone just because they are out; but I am also disinclined to vote for another white straight man.
Anne Goshdigian
Kerri, you’re so right. Any candidate who is truly worthy of being mayor will not play up or even court the job using sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, education, income level, etc. as leverage for support. The only agenda a candidate should bring to the race is the agenda of doing what is best for the city and its residents as a whole. Special interest groups have no place in a municipal election.
Jim
I think using the app is pretty clever. Campaigns should try to be where their potential supporters are. If that’s on Grindr, go for it. As far as the content, it’s aimed at an LGBT audience and only says “gay” once. If he held an event with UConn Law alumni, it would probably lead with the fact that he attended UConn Law School. A flyer for a fundraiser doesn’t have room for a comprehensive discussion of the issues.
Josh LaPorte
“the queer scene”? I prefer “the LGBT community”.
As a gay man, I am inclined to support Segarra because I think having an out gay man as mayor sends a strong signal of support to young people who are realizing that they may not be straight. But, as you point out, there are many other considerations.
Kerri Provost
I understand the desire to have an openly gay man in a position of power in that it can be encouraging those those who identify similarly…but is that reason enough to vote for someone? What about the budgeting or how he conducts negotiations? What about staffing decisions?
Bruce rubenstein
pedro took the Republican endorsement 4, years ago,when the November election was not in doubt.When I confronted him regarding this he stated that there are certain republican issues he agreed with.For the next 4 years he has appointed some republicans to high positions who are not supportive of LGBT issues,but we’re big supporters of DOMA and other issues like that….do not be fooled by Pedro
Richard
Thanks Bruce. I had forgotten about that. I do know that one of his “dear” handlers is homophobic Minnie G.from the 4th district. She takes money from the Family Institute and has spoken out against most of the LGBT civil rights bills that have been presented in the state. Something must be wrong to be so “out” and then be so against his “own” people. Real queers wouldn’t touch folks like her and her ilk with a ten foot pole. (oh I gotta be nice and stop right there.)
Josh LaPorte
As I stated, there are other considerations.
Richard
Tony C. Having been in the LGBT community for many many years I can attest to the fact that we have always organized very public events. Event of all types. We also kicked in many doors. You know what bothers me is the fact that many of these mainstream folks then walked in those doors claiming the spoils. Many of us soured on the mainstream years ago and refuse to become that which we fought against. Being nice, being their clown, being respectable in their eyes will be over very quick when push comes to shove.
Richard
Josh a few observations. We now have lgbt folks in all sorts of high places and we must ask ourselves is it enough that they are lgbt? We must demand more. Would I dare to become a class traitor and cross my class and vote for a rich white gay republican? How about the person who voted down a food pantry, a shelter who calls the cops on queer youth of color? Are these folks real leaders who are out there pushing the envelope rather than just reading the contents? Knowing what we know about the lgbt community, (as you prefer)does he or she really deserve the title gay leader? Are they for all the people or just their own class? Check out the 46th ward in Chicago where a progressive black woman is running against a white gay man. Guess who the progressive activist lgbt vote is going to.
Josh LaPorte
Richard, I totally and completely agree with you. I see this as one consideration among many. I am not particularly happy with the sitting mayor’s leadership on issues important to me, which appear to align closely with yours.
Richard
Josh, Go over to furbirdsqueerly and read an essay we just published inspired by this discussion. The essay Once They Get Their Rights or What Are You Going To Do With All That New Found Equality? asks quite a few questions that beg answers.
Ken Krayeske
Ok, another test for this: can we see someone like Andrew MacDonald (another gay, out politician who is now a CT Supreme Court justice) advertising on Grindr for political purposes? How about Mike Lawlor? I’m not seeing either of these two men with gravitas relying on Grindr to get votes and/or contributions. Is Grindr the equivalent of the adult classifieds in the back of the Hartford Advocate. If so, how would we respond to Segarra (or any other politician) advertising there? The Advocate staff would have taken the piss out of a political ad set in its adult classified section. That’s what this is. It’s an attempt at creativity, but the context is all wrong for demonstrating ability to govern.
Anne Goshdigian
Why no comment from our “openly gay leader” about Peter’s Retreat–a Retreat Avenue shelter/home, and a place of solace, healing, and hope for HIV-positive Hartford residents? Peter’s Retreat has for years been housed in a beautiful 19th-century mansion. On my visits there, I’ve been moved by the stories of the residents’ previous struggles in living with HIV-Aids, and how their lives and their spirits–and even their health–have benefited from dwelling in their current surroundings. Hartford Hospital will be taking over the mansion to use as office space as part of their orthopedic center development (and will also be demolishing the beautiful and historic curved-front brownstone on that street). The residents of Peter’s Retreat will be moved to Bartholomew Avenue–not exactly the garden spot of Hartford. Apparently, our leader is more concerned about the hospital’s creeping sprawl than about the quality of the lives of those in deepest need.
Richard
Thanks Anne. I am reminded of this every time on my walk to Stop and Shop. The old Spaghetti Warehouse as the new Peter’s Retreat. How awful. It is an ugly building and far from services that people need. On my way over to my doctor I walk past Peter’s Retreat and think what a lovely place it is for anyone who is HIV positive. I think back to the founding of Peter’s and the folks in the LGBT community who worked hard in bringing this to a reality. We must fight to end the taking over of such places by large corporations such as Hartford Hospital and the lording over and the gentrification of our neighborhoods by the Hartford Insurance Group. Bank of America, Trinity College just to name a few. Yes our worth is surely measured by how we treat the least of those among us, the sick, the hungry, the homeless,the imprison, the children, immigrants and those who are considered the others.
thom
Richard: what/where is “furbirdsqueerly” ?
Josh LaPorte
https://furbirdsqueerly.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/once-they-get-their-rights-or-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-all-that-new-found-equality/
Richard
Blog at http://www.furbirdsqueerly.wordpress.com
Thom
Thanks Josh and Richard. As you might not know yet,Hartford native and probate judge Bob Killian is retiring on April 10th in order to focus on his campaign for mayor. I can’t think of anyone who has been more involved assisting the homeless, poor, downtrodden and forgotten people of Hartford for the past 31 years than him, including by the way, transgender individuals with name changes and other court matters. When I began my involvement with his court, I was one of only three attorneys in Hartford who would even take court appointments to represent HIV positive folks in conservatorship proceedings, many of whom we worked with to get them from the shelters into Trinity Hill’s HIV ward. Times have changed for sure, but the time for our government to focus on the less advantaged people who live here seems more pressing than ever. I look forward to reading the piece in furbirdsqueerly and continuing the discussion. Thanks again.
Ken Krayeske
I must be certain to state that Andrew MacDonald was previously a sitting state senator in Connecticut, and my references to his fundraising activities were in relationship to his prior position as a Senator. Essentially, I don’t see an incumbent state senator ever fundraising on Grindr.