LGBTs Queer California's Occupy Movement

As the Occupy movement enters its second month, each protest site has morphed into its own so-called 99 percent mini-society.

The Occupy gatherings across California continue to be as diverse and distinct as the cities in which they are located. And what began as-and remains-a protest over economic injustice has also become a movement with a widespread call for unity and equality from anti-racism to workers' rights, particularly within the LGBT community.

The message of equality is one that hits home for LGBTQ organizers who have rallied behind the Occupy movement from San Diego to San Francisco. Sprouting up at almost every Occupy site are diverse subgroups, including active LGBT and queer caucuses.

John Waibinger, a long-time LGBT activist since the gay liberation movement of 1970s, was inspired to get involved and help create a queer presence at the Los Angeles Occupy movement. With the aid of a coalition of other like-minded occupiers, Waibinger recently helped form the Queer Affinity Group of Occupy Los Angeles.

"I felt immediately that this would be the new progressive movement of this decade and knew I want to be a part of it. I also immediately felt that an LGBTQ presence was important and decided to be a part of making that happen," said Waiblinger.

The group started out small, but Waibinger and others formally presented the group to the Occupy Los Angeles General Assembly on Oct. 22. The Queer Affinity Group meets every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 a.m. at various locations at the Los Angeles Occupy that are marked by rainbow flags.

"We are in solidarity with the 99% and strongly believe that oppression to one is oppression to all," reads the group's mission statement.

Waibinger, who does not identify as a leader of the group but rather as an active member, agrees that part of Occupy is to fight for many issues across the spectrum by teaming up with all occupiers. In the same vein, he stresses that finding an outlet for queer issues outside of the scope of marriage equality is refreshing.

"It is so exciting to be taking these actions, and raising Queer issues, beyond the space of a single-issue LGBT activity or march," said Waibinger. "Making the connections that all oppressions are linked and fighting together is extraordinarily empowering."

The smaller, but very active Occupy West Hollywood has planned a LGBT march in Plummer Park next month to coincide with other marches planned nationwide. Participants will gather at 10 a.m. on Dec. 3 at Santa Monica Boulevard and Vista Street, and will march together "for the 99 percent" until 1 p.m., according to the group's website.

Occupy San Diego was forcibly removed from the areas they were occupying on Nov. 16 and had not yet regrouped. Occupy Oakland and other encampments have also been dismantled, but Occupy Venice has moved into a private building that allows it to have a dedicated and safe space beyond the reach of law enforcement.

One of the most visible avenues LGBT organizations and Occupy groups and allies can take at the moment is pledging to sign the Occupy Wall Street statement on safe space of women and LGBT people.

"We believe that a world where everyone has the right to occupy public space safely is not only possible - it is essential to building a strong and lasting movement," it reads.

Ms. Magazine, Bitch Media, OccupyWallSt.Org and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault are among the prominent groups that have endorsed the statement.