Queer And Trans Caucus Meeting Minutes - October 23, 2011

Queer and trans caucus, October 23 2011

Present: Angela G, Ann, Shirley (note taker), Colette, Brendan, Reed

Angela G.:What happened with the tent? Came back on Thursday to leave a note and the tent was gone. Instead three tents and a platform being set up. Asked people what they were doing, as it had been a group space. Said “Safety told them they could set up; we got orders to throw it all out.” What ultimately happened: the tent fell down in the rain. It was down for a couple of days and people in the group didn't get informed. Safety decided it was a hazard and authorized it being cleared out. The harder question is what happened afterward... people weren't willing to listen to the impact of what happened because of the tent being dumped. Does not appear to be a targeted action against the working group, but perhaps overzealous enforcement combined with a lack of empathy. So... the group is meeting in Brendan's space now, smaller but at least it's here! Growing difference between the observers of the process and the “get it done” people. In this case, if somebody decided the space was under-utilized and should be reallocated, nobody acknowledged the political impact of displacing the LGBT group and no attention was paid to process.

Ann: I've done a lot of antiracist work. We've heard complaints before (from somebody who came to help the legal tent) and the insensitivity to process shut that person down. Holding together this group tent is difficult when so many of us are involved in so many different things.

Brendan: (on use of the new tent): I need this to be my home and be able to sleep here and to have my friends here. I believe it's good for it to be a queer organizing and safe space during the day. Was thinking of a bookshelf for literature (Reed suggested having a shelf in the library instead). Like the idea of having people around so people can communicate with the group. Would like to put up a whiteboard so people can sign in to sleep in the tent. Shirley volunteered to bring one.

Reed: the capacity of this tent is limited. Maybe talk to other tents about whether they are safe spaces for LGBT people and get them to sign onto a list and display some kind of “safe space” sign. It might open a dialog about what safe spaces mean, and tents that aren't participating would have to ask whether they are not safe spaces. What should the statement say?

Brainstorming followed. The group felt that quorum for official action did not exist (especially as some of the group had left for another meeting). The rest of this message contains IDEAS that were discussed at the meeting. This is NOT a proposed document, but intended as a starting point for further discussion of that document.

The basic idea: to create a process for recognizing tents at Occupy Boston as safe spaces for LGBTQ people to visit and sleep.

An affirming space should be: Fully celebrates the diverse individual expressions of sexuality and gender. Strives to provide a safe space for queer and trans people. Have some kind of recognizable sign to post on the outside so people can recognize it.

Why? LGBTQ people live with the stress of perceived constant threat of harassment, humiliation, and violence. LGTBQ people are here in numbers, are dedicated, and deserve respect. Making spaces that are safe for LGBTQ people makes spaces that are safer for everyone.

The phrase “physical and emotional violence” was discussed. Some felt the “emotional” was already covered in harassment and humiliation. Shirley was concerned that we would have to explain “emotional violence” to people outside the community.

Is “occupy” and “occupation” the correct language for the Occupy movement to be using? Some groups have rejected that word because of its colonial history, preferring words such as “decolonization”. A number of people expressed fondness for the idea of gender neutral pronouns but less enthusiasm for their implementation in the real world.

Training: We need a program to educate potential safe spaces about what it means. Public departments such as Logistics and Security need to be aware of the need for safe spaces and where they are located. Some people suggested that they didn't want to spend all their time teaching Queer 101 and suggested that we could train people in how to train others.

Bullet points: Ask everyone you meet which pronouns they prefer. There was an expressed hope that this would be a cultural change that would take hold throughout Occupy Boston. Affirm the right of individuals to their own identities