are things really so adversarial?

[sophiaserpentia]

Originally published at Monstrous Regiment. You can comment here or there.

So i’ve been making plans for weeks to go to the Boston Dyke March tonight. And in my inbox this morning i see that there is a last-minute letter-writing campaign to ask the Dyke March committee to disinvite the artist Bitch, who is scheduled to perform for us tonight, on account of her performances at Michfest and her stated approval (or non-disapproval) of their policy of excluding gallae. Others are planning to turn their backs to her during her performance.

I’m feeling a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, it is really touching to see that so many in my community are willing and eager even to fight for my inclusion. But i also find it heartbreaking.

Despite what Bitch has done or said regarding MWMF, she has to be aware that the Boston Dyke March is explicitly galla-positive. It’s right there on the front of their webpage. I have heard mixed things from local gallae about how welcome they actually feel there, but the stated policy counts for a lot. Knowing about the policy (i presume), she has chosen to be here with us anyway.

So it seems to me that if she really hated gallae, she could have chosen to perform somewhere else tonight. Or, maybe she’s just an equal-opportunity opportunist, but i think that is an unfairly cynical thing to assume.

She’s been asked about the policy of exclusion at MWMF; i wonder if anyone has even asked her what she thought about the policy of inclusion at the Dyke March. Heck, if i get the chance, maybe i’ll ask her myself. Assuming, that is, the sight of dykes turning their backs on a dyke doesn’t break my heart so much i have to leave.

Suppose the committee disinvites her. Suppose she hears about the protest and stays away. Suppose she feels pressured into making a statement of support. Are any of these things victory? I don’t think our community wins by making one of our own feel they have to back down or silence themselves under pressure.

Wouldn’t it be more satisfying to see her leave here talking about having had a great experience in a community that welcomes and includes gallae? Having seen how a dyke community which includes gallae can be just as woman-affirming and healing and vital as the community she’s experienced at Michfest? Otherwise i’m concerned that she could leave here with a sour taste and see the whole thing as evidence that those who say gallae are here to undermine and sow seeds of discord are right.

I’m not saying we should back down. I’m saying that there’s a bravery in solidarity that goes beyond the bravery it takes to protest. Are things really so adversarial over this issue that this is now and forever an “us versus them” situation? I mean, protest is what you do when there is no hope that the other party will listen to you. If i’m just a hippy fruit-loop with delusions of compassion where it will never be, break it to me gently, will you?

ETA. Bitch is no longer scheduled to perform.  I don’t know any more than that; more as i learn it.

Comments

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

I'm just wondering whether it's right to hold that, since they kicked out one of us, we should now kick out one of them. I don't see this divide being healed that way.

My far from scientific estimate is that in the woman-oriented part of the queer community there are larger numbers of people who support trans-inclusion than there are those clamoring for exclusion -- especially among younger folks and people just coming out. Many women's spaces are inclusive now. So essentially the struggle for inclusion is over.

That's not to say that trans-exclusion shouldn't be challenged -- it could still flare up and still holds sway in some places. I just don't agree with shouting it down. Those are the Master's tools.

[neitherday.livejournal.com]

I'm just wondering whether it's right to hold that, since they kicked out one of us, we should now kick out one of them.

My point is that it is the supporters of exclusionary policies that divide the community into an "us" and a "them" to begin with. Those policies define two separate communities instead of one.

My far from scientific estimate is that in the woman-oriented part of the queer community there are larger numbers of people who support trans-inclusion than there are those clamoring for exclusion -- especially among younger folks and people just coming out. Many women's spaces are inclusive now. So essentially the struggle for inclusion is over.

I disagree with the idea that struggle for inclusion is largely over. In Boston and some other areas inclusion has taken root, but there are still plenty of places where the story is much different. Even in places like Boston there is still a significant segment of the community that oppose inclusion.

That's not to say that trans-exclusion shouldn't be challenged -- it could still flare up and still holds sway in some places. I just don't agree with shouting it down. Those are the Master's tools.

The Master's tools? Shouting and protesting have been a tools of almost every political movement.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

My point is that it is the supporters of exclusionary policies that divide the community into an "us" and a "them" to begin with.

I'm not disputing that. It's just that naturally we are one community. We all belong to the same dating and friend pool. We're stronger when we're allied and together. The dividers are wrong. I don't want to be among them.


I disagree with the idea that struggle for inclusion is largely over.

Well what i mean is that the tide and the future leaders of the movement are with us. Not that the work is done and we can rest; and i'm not saying that we should ignore or take lightly the voices of discord. But i'm saying that having the groundswell of support we do have gives us a responsibility.

I mean, look. I first heard about the movement to push the committee to cancel Bitch's performance last night. Today, she's cancelled. We can't say we're the underdogs here. Here, at least, we and our allies have the upper hand. It behooves us to not abuse that. It behooves us to reach out instead of seeking revenge for past wrongs.


Shouting and protesting have been a tools of almost every political movement.

I mean using greater numbers or louder voices to intimidate people into silence.