Face-masks for liberation!
We met with fellow trans & gender expansive folks a few days ago for a Covid Rage Space. While our peer support spaces are always confidential, we do like to share some quotes that come from participants. We think affinity & healing spaces are SO necessary, but sometimes we worry that there is so much pain & wisdom happening in those spaces that’s hidden from the broader community. We feel if more privileged and/or denial-practicing folks heard real-life testimonies, perhaps it can move them to be more in solidarity with marginalized folks (whatever that marginalization may be).
Folks need to know what kinds of conversations are happening behind closed doors where folks are their most vulnerable selves. Maybe in getting a brief “fly on the wall” perspective on what struggling people & communities are dealing with, others can find ways to support & strengthen our connections & interdependence. We NEED our community to see the ways in which we are struggling or suffering. Oppression relies so much on hiding people’s pain, or to paint folks who share their dark emotions/experiences as too much, over emotional, exaggerative, etc. And whether we like it or not, too many comrades believe those lies & propaganda (like the government telling y’all the pandemic is over & covid is just like the flu).
While we certainly don’t EVER want to give away anyone’s personal story away, there are so many shared experiences that we feel like the broader community needs to be aware of. So this week we want to share some of what our covid/air-borne illness cautious trans community are thinking & feeling during this complicated pride month. The topic was focused on ableism experienced by queer community during pride. Here’s some of what folks shared when they were asked:
What is pissing you TF off about organizers & events this pride month!?!
“Masks suggested” events. The lack ofimagination, the lack of curiosity in thecommunity to reimagine safety spaces. Ifeel completely abandoned.”
“Queer people’s refusal to see the connectionsbetween COVID and HIV.”
“Tired of people focusing on their comfortrather than what our collective space needs.”
“Angry that I can’t participate in actions to bring down this empire because I’m an afterthought; in-person actions with lots ofphysical activity are the only ones seen as legitimate.”
“People talking about ‘just had a really badsummer flu,’ & refusing to test for COVID, mask or change their behavior in any way.”
“People talking about Palestine & liberationbut don’t connect it to masking & eugenics…ike lvaccines & PPE have been denied toPalestinians over & over!!.”
“I’m so fucking pissed at organizers who say they’re for DJ & even might mandate masksbut won’t have hybrid options, or virtual ways of participating, or create more avenues to enter different organizing spaces, projects, etc. Like having a giant signal chat where folksmessage each other super fast & how things are decided is not accessible.”
“I'm still grieving a queer community gym Iused to attend last year whose organizersghosted me when I told them they could dobetter regarding COVID precautions & risk mitigation.”
“I have rage about people being furtherostracised, shadowbanned, or literally banned whilst being COVID safe because of shitty moderation or oppressive platforms.”
“Parents & teachers putting their children at such high risk when they have the resources & knowledge todo different, protecting their children & others.”
REMINDER: It’s NEVER too late to start wearing face masks again! Protecting ourselves & one another is its own act of resistance in a world where our oppressors are constantly looking to eradicate us when they can no longer brainwash/exploit us. AND we ALL deserve to live full & meaningful lives. Let’s protect the healthy from getting sick & the sick from getting worse or unalived!!!! WE PROTECT & TAKE CARE OF US!