an opportunity to build a coalition
Jun. 24th, 2009 12:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sophiaserpentiaSince late last week there's been some controversy in the blogosphere regarding the New Orleans Women's Health Clinic, which was opened in NOLA in the wake of Hurricane Katrina by Incite! Women of Color Against Violence. After Katrina there was (and I understand there still is) a shocking gap between health care options available and the health care needs of the population. The hardest hit were, as always, women of color and women of economic disadvantage.
The controversy began when activists and bloggers in the trans community noted that while NOWHC's policy statement promises nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity, they also explicitly state "We are currently not able to provide care to trans people who were male assigned at birth or who have had genital sex reassignment surgery."
Most of the discussion I've seen since has been confrontational, with accusations of hate and cissexism. I personally think that this is entirely the wrong approach to take. Certainly if the root of this is prejudice, that prejudice should be called out. But there is a qualitative difference between an institution of the kyriarchy, against whom the confrontational approach is entirely appropriate, and a radical organization, with (not against!) whom I believe we should adopt a different approach.
I've said before that there is no easy-mode radicalism. I've said before I think that adversarial confrontation is the wrong approach to take with other radicals. And, as I said the last time there was a dispute about transwomen's access to women's health space, when the dispute is with sister radicals, there is no victory in confrontation, or in making someone see things your way, but in learning how to coexist and converge paths.
The comments I made previously all apply to how I feel about this situation, too. I believe the better approach would be to approach Incite! and ask, what can we offer to build a stronger coalition? Is it a matter of resources? Is it a matter of volunteer time? Money? Or is simply a matter of dialogue in good faith and consciousness raising together? What can we do that will make it easier for us to walk together on this path?
The sad thing is, I don't feel safe saying this publicly in any trans community. I barely feel safe saying it here in my own blog.
The controversy began when activists and bloggers in the trans community noted that while NOWHC's policy statement promises nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity, they also explicitly state "We are currently not able to provide care to trans people who were male assigned at birth or who have had genital sex reassignment surgery."
Most of the discussion I've seen since has been confrontational, with accusations of hate and cissexism. I personally think that this is entirely the wrong approach to take. Certainly if the root of this is prejudice, that prejudice should be called out. But there is a qualitative difference between an institution of the kyriarchy, against whom the confrontational approach is entirely appropriate, and a radical organization, with (not against!) whom I believe we should adopt a different approach.
I've said before that there is no easy-mode radicalism. I've said before I think that adversarial confrontation is the wrong approach to take with other radicals. And, as I said the last time there was a dispute about transwomen's access to women's health space, when the dispute is with sister radicals, there is no victory in confrontation, or in making someone see things your way, but in learning how to coexist and converge paths.
The comments I made previously all apply to how I feel about this situation, too. I believe the better approach would be to approach Incite! and ask, what can we offer to build a stronger coalition? Is it a matter of resources? Is it a matter of volunteer time? Money? Or is simply a matter of dialogue in good faith and consciousness raising together? What can we do that will make it easier for us to walk together on this path?
The sad thing is, I don't feel safe saying this publicly in any trans community. I barely feel safe saying it here in my own blog.
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no subject
Date: 2009-06-24 05:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 09:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 10:50 pm (UTC)BTW I saw that you extended an invitation to Incite! to dialog with you about this, did you get a response? Have they given *any* response? It's been, what, at least a week now? I've not seen any statements or even blog posts from them. You and all trans women of color are owed at the very least an explanation for their discrepancy, and soon.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-28 08:21 pm (UTC)Em is currently seeking care, and all efforts should go to obtaining that care.
I will say thin: the clinic denied itself powerful allies witht heir stance, but it may no longer matter.
A powerful lesson for oppressed cis people not to strike out at trans women, IMHO. We bring not only needs, but power as well.
They lost both. Such is life.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 01:30 pm (UTC)Thank you for your efforts, both on behalf of Em and on the new project you've undertaken.