10 Ways the Fight for Equality Is Like the Tour de France

I’ve become obsessed with the Tour de France this week, although I risk overloading on sports given the World Cup, Wimbledon, and the WNBA season. (Luckily, the first two are now over.) One result of my obsession, however, is that I have realized many of the things needed to compete in the Tour de France are the same as those needed to achieve LGBT rights.

Endurance: The Tour renders obsolete the old saying, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” The Tour is like doing a marathon — once a day for three weeks. The fight for LGBT rights has been going on since the Stonewall Riots in 1969, and arguably before. It, too, will test our stamina.

A team: The Tour may be won by an individual, but it is in fact an event of team strategy. The ability of a team to support, protect, and pace its leader is key to whether the leader has a chance of winning. The riders also need a support crew to provide mechanical help, water bottles, communications, and more. Similarly, winning LGBT rights must be a team effort, with many of us — allies included — working together towards the goal.

Varied skill sets: Some riders are good sprinters; others excel in the mountains. A good team has a mix of abilities and strengths. LGBT rights need the same: We need young and old, L, G, B, and T. We need some who can hobnob with politicians and the media, some who will speak with neighbors, some who take direct action, and others who are quietly visible.

Training: It takes riders years of training before they can compete at the Tour level. Likewise, good advocacy skills take time to develop, whether that means assisting with a political campaign or simply giving an effective answer to a neighbor when asked, “Why aren’t civil unions enough?” We must educate ourselves about the issues and practice our arguments in order to get better, at all levels of advocacy.

Coaching: Every serious athlete knows the importance of a good coach, one who can both educate and inspire. Likewise, we must learn from those who have gone before us in the LGBT civil rights movement, as well as those who have participated in other civil rights movements. We must adapt to new and changing situations, of course — but it never hurts to have advice from those who have faced similar issues before.

Support/allies: In addition to those who are officially part of the team, the family, friends, and fans of Tour riders give them support and encouragement. The LGBT community likewise needs allies to support us -- both in the political arena and on a personal level.

Sponsors: Cycling is expensive, from the bikes themselves (topping $10,000 a piece) to the money needed for training and travel. Equality, too, costs money — campaigning, lobbying, education and communications efforts all add up. We may debate which organizations and individuals make the best use of our donations, but I think most of us would not dispute the need for money to help advance our cause.

Equipment: Tour bikes are aerodynamic, carbon fiber works of engineering genius. Helmets, shoes, and even water bottle cages are also crafted to help riders perform near super-human feats. In the struggle for LGBT rights, our equipment is different — phones, computers, books, and other items that help get our message out. A bike is only as good as its rider, however — and all the high-tech communications in the world won’t help advance LGBT rights if the other pieces aren’t in place as well.

A willingness to test oneself: In addition to raw physical endurance, Tour riders need to have a mindset that will let them push past pain. Those of us fighting for LGBT rights must also be willing to move beyond our comfort zones, whether that means speaking out to another parent at our child’s school or being an officer of the U.S. military who chooses to commit an act of civil disobedience.

The ability to bounce back from defeat: No long-term sports career is ever without injury or setbacks. Lance Armstrong, who won his seven Tour titles after surviving testicular cancer, is vivid testament to this. Equality, too, will not be won without a commitment to seeing it through the ups and downs. Yes, we must learn from our mistakes, but we must also remember that the only stage we can affect is the one that lies ahead.

Photo credit: m4tik