Timothy P. McCarthy ’93, a lecturer in history and literature, spoke about the implications of California’s passage of Proposition 8 and the need for minorities who have faced discrimination to work together toward the common goal of greater equality at the Institute of Politics last night.

In the aftermath of the passage of the controversial ballot initiative, which called for amending that state’s Constitution to define marriage as a union between two individuals of the opposite sex, McCarthy talked about the importance of extending Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) activism to issues unrelated to same-sex marriage, which he said LGBT individuals have placed on a pedestal.

“We need to be more strategic and broad-minded about the issues that we put out in public,” McCarthy said. “I don’t think we will win the war if we make marriage the only issue.”

McCarthy stressed that the LGBT community should show greater concern for adoption rights, as ballot initiatives in states like Arkansas are trying to prevent gays and lesbians from adopting foster children.

“When you deny us the right to adopt children, that’s getting into the territory of prejudice that is more insidious than denying gay marriage,” McCarthy said.

In addition, McCarthy spoke about the precedent of discrimination in America and the need for minority groups, such as African Americans, to join forces with LGBT activists in order to push for greater equality.

“The Obama movement shows that groups that see a common purpose can come together to see a new common destiny,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said that LGBT activists may feel that the election of Barack Obama was a “blow” to their cause, as the president-elect has said publicly that he is not in favor of same-sex marriage. However, McCarthy said he believes that Obama “personally supports” the legalization of gay marriage and that his election was a step forward.

Although McCarthy said he finds it “troubling” that a very slim majority wields so much influence on a minority’s rights, he said he is “really optimistic” about the prospect of major social change, especially with regard to the issue of same-sex marriage.

“We certainly won’t be having the same conversation 20 years from now,” he said.

Students who attended the event said they enjoyed McCarthy’s talk.

“I thought it was very enlightening,” said Isaac P. Martinez, Jr. ’09, who added that, as a gay American, he feels strongly about same-sex marriage.

“The sooner it is legalized, the better,” he said.