The Gatekeeper Problem – When Advocates Block the Change They Claim to Support

Not All Resistance Comes from the Institution

You’re pushing for change. You’ve done the work. You’ve mapped the power, built the pressure, told the story.

And just when it starts to gain traction—someone from inside the movement steps in and says:

• “That’s not the right way to do it.”
• “You’re being too aggressive.”
• “We’re already working on this. Don’t rock the boat.”

And just like that, the momentum stalls. Not because the institution pushed back— but because someone who was supposed to be on your side did.

What Is a Gatekeeper in Advocacy?

A gatekeeper is someone with positional power in a cause space—whether formal or informal—who controls:

• Who gets heard
• What gets prioritised
• How fast change is allowed to move

They’re often:

• Senior staff in advocacy organisations
• Sector “representatives” with government access
• Well-known professionals or academics
• Longtime insiders who claim to “speak for” a broader group

They often believe they’re protecting the movement. But what they’re really protecting is their access, their reputation, or their relationship with decision-makers.

They don't say “don’t speak.” They say “not like that, not now, not here.”

Case Example: Lois Curtis and the Battle for Community Inclusion

Lois Curtis, a Black woman with cognitive and developmental disabilities, spent almost twenty years in institutions—even though she was capable of living in the community.

She didn’t want to be institutionalised. She asked to live in a more inclusive setting. The system refused.

So she became the lead plaintiff in Olmstead v. L.C., a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case. In 1999, the Court ruled that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination.

It was a huge win. And then—nothing.

Implementation was slow. Funding was withheld. Some organisations that had celebrated the win publicly were quietly dragging their feet behind the scenes.

Why? Because they weren’t ready to escalate. Because they were still protecting relationships, reputation, or institutional rhythm.

That’s gatekeeping.

It wears the mask of progress. It says, “We support the cause.” But what it means is, “We’ll decide when and how.”

Lois Curtis didn’t stop at the ruling. She kept pushing. Because she understood what gatekeepers forget: Policy means nothing without pressure.

How to Spot a Gatekeeper – A Quick Guide

• “Wait your turn” or “Slow down”: They may be managing relationships—not outcomes. Ask: Whose comfort are we protecting by slowing this down?
• They won’t share media, meetings, or platforms: They likely want to control the message rather than collaborate. Ask: Is this about amplifying impact—or about containment?
• They dismiss lived experience as “too emotional”: They prioritise institutional tone over truth. Ask: Who gets to define what’s credible and strategic?
• “This isn’t how it’s done”: They’re trying to protect a process that’s served them—but not the people most affected. Ask: Who benefits if nothing changes? And who’s paying the cost of inaction?

What to Do When You Encounter Gatekeeping

1. Don’t fight for scraps. Build your own platforms. If someone won’t share the mic, create your own space. You don’t need permission to speak the truth.
2. Document their positioning. Gatekeepers often rewrite their role in hindsight. Keep records.
3. Know the difference between caution and control. Caution protects people. Control protects power. Learn to spot the difference.
4. Find others willing to move at the pace of urgency. There are people out there who aren’t afraid to act. Find them. Build with them.

Gatekeeping Isn’t Strategy. It’s Control.

Advocacy doesn’t need more managers of the message. It needs people who are willing to risk proximity for impact. People who understand that waiting quietly has never driven systemic change.

If you’ve felt stalled by people who say they’re on your side— you’re not overreacting. You’re just hitting the quiet resistance of gatekeeping.

And the good news? You don’t need their approval to keep moving.