Solidarity with LGBTIQA+ or Queer People Statement

As part of Arika’s beliefs and in conjunction with both our public programme we want to extend solidarity to LGBTIQA+/ Queer people via the following statement. Those most directly affected by a specific oppression are those best placed to develop methods to overcome it. LGBTIQA+ movement in the UK and globally has suggested a variety of approaches to bring about an end to prejudice and violence against LGBTIQA+ people. To further these approaches we first advocate for:

• Recognition that the social category of LGBTIQA+ people or queer people is a both complex and evolving one and yet is simultaneously anchored in very specific historical struggles and identities
• Recognition that other social categories of people are in a variety of complex inter-relationships with queer desire and identities
• Recognition that LGBTIQA+ people are subject to physical violence based upon their queer identities
• Recognition that LGBTIQA+ people are subject to sexual violence based upon their queer identities
• Recognition that LGBTIQA+ people are subject to a greater amount of physical violence and control from state agencies based upon their identities
• Recognition that LGBTIQA+ people are systemically disenfranchised from societal power
• Recognition that intimate relationships and shared sexuality between LGBTIQA+ people are societally devalued
• Recognition that LGBTIQA+ people are – as an overall social grouping – comparatively economically devalued and impoverished
• Recognition that LGBTIQA+ people are consistently depicted in homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, misogynistic and demeaning ways – including disrespectful attitudes towards intersex, questioning, non-binary and asexual people – via mediums of public communication (e.g. film, advertising, visual art etc.)
• Recognition that public healthcare frequently does not take the range of specific needs of LGBTIQA+ people into account or respect their bodily autonomy
• Recognition that patriarchy does not necessarily prevent LGBTIQA+ people from having agency or abusing power over others and that whilst the greatest suffering is experienced by those who are directly oppressed, the oppressor too is damaged
• Recognition that patriarchy places untenable and contradictory demands upon LGBTIQA+ people which contributes to a culture of internalised oppression and self-harm
• Recognition that the direct and lateral communication by LGBTIQA+ people on the above areas of concern and many other matters is consistently invisibilised and actively eradicated from public view
• Recognition that a vast expanse of culture, wisdom, art, joy, science and liberating insight has been generated by LGBTIQA+ people
• Recognition that these achievements are sometimes subject to cultural appropriation and commercial exploitation by more dominant social groups

 

We recognise that the following reforms would reduce suffering and save lives:

• Enforcement and/or development of legislation that aims to prevent discrimination, hate speech and physical attacks against LGBTIQA+ people
• Due diligence and investment of resources in investigating crimes against LGBTIQA+ people
• An immediate end to the prison industrial complex to be replaced with more humane ways of collectively preventing acts of violence and abuse of power
• A process of affirmative action to ensure an equitable involvement of LGBTIQA+ people in societal decision making and cultural processes and educational and employment opportunities
• Affirmative action that involves the support of autonomous organisations/projects/culture/other provisions by and for LGBTIQA+ people
• Active solidarity from other all other social groups for LGBTIQA+ people
• Provision of a universal basic income
• Provision of suitable, safe, healthy accommodation on a universal basis
• An end to workplace expectations that entail working anti-social and/or long hours
• Access to free universal healthcare of a high standard with an inbuilt commitment to the support of LGBTIQA+ people’s bodily autonomy
• A societal wide commitment to reproductive justice (that includes recognition of the specific needs of LGBTIQA+ people

The above listed reforms are both critical and yet inherently limited in nature. We are clear that for full liberation of LGBTIQA+ people to come about change on a profound, revolutionary, level is necessary. For such changes to occur would entail the end of white supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy. This would involve collective re-organisation of society on a mass level and equitable redistribution of resources and decision-making powers.

The process of struggling for these changes – both long term and immediate – is complex and takes place in challenging circumstances. We recognise that LGBTIQA+ people are best placed to develop effective strategies and guiding visions around the eradication of their oppression. Our intent is always to be especially mindful of the approaches and ideas recommended by LGBTIQA+ people. However, the process of ending these multiple forms of oppression against LGBTIQA+ people and creating a society based on principals of respect for people of all sexual orientations and genders is inherently a matter of collective responsibility, to which we can all directly contribute.