The Radical Fringe

1. The Radical Fringe • Patriarchy requires a radical reordering of society • Family is the basic unit in the patriarchal system of oppression • Marriage is an intersexual alliance requiring women to identify with their oppressors • Ultimate rejection of male domination is lesbianism • Lesbianism is a sign of mental health • Lesbians alone are truly free “Lavender Menace”

4. Backlash Phyllis Schlafly • St. Louis housewife • Married, 6 kids • Phi Beta Kappa, Washington University, 1944 @ age 19 • MA, Radcliff, 1945 @ age 20 • Ran for Congress, 1952 • Goldwater operative, 1964 • J.D. Washington University, 1978

5. Eagle Forum, 1967 • Threat to the Family • Man as bread-winner • Stay-at-home moms • Sex Education • Divorce • Abortion • Gays • Protection, Privilege & Chivalry – Not Discrimination • Gender specific jobs • Men in politics • Social restrictions • Un-American • English-only education • Anti-vaccination • Anti-U.N. • Unforeseen consequences • Bathrooms • Draft

8. Strategy #1:

9. Strategy #2:

10. 1982: ERA Fails • Stalls out at 35/38 necessary to ratify • Pro-ERA forces demoralized • Anti-ERA forces ready for the next battle… Ratified Ratified, then rescinded Ratified in 1 house of legislature Not ratified