ROMANTIC FRIENDSHIP #14:
Building Safer Communities
•Heidi Vanderlee of Permanent Wave Collective on Friday”s Protest of the acquittal of NYC police officers of rape charge
•PoliceRevolutionNow on police brutality, accountability, and reform
•Support New York on building safer space and survivor support separate from the police and prison system
->Listen here
Jen Twigg via I Live Sweat
Punk is fiercely emotional for a lot of us, because we are tied so deeply to the community, and it can be hard not to take it personally and be defensive when something about it isn’t perfect. We owe it to ourselves not to be defensive, though. We owe it to ourselves to grow and learn together in this community, to listen to each other, to actually be as progressive as we said we’d be when we left the mainstream to come here.
This is from yet another great piece on sexism in the punk scene from I Live Sweat. As you may recall, we posted our friend Lauren’s interview a while back, but there are two other installments here and here.
“CALL IT CONVERSATION” (COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO ABUSE & THE CALLING OUT PROCESS)
Title IX Complaint against Yale!
Jezebel: “Media Blows It With Pathetic Gang Rape Coverage”
In Cleveland, Texas, 18 young men and boys have been charged with participating in the gang rape of an 11-year-old girl in an abandoned trailer home. As if the event weren’t awful enough, the papers reporting the incident aren’t exactly being, oh, say, fair in their reportage.
In December, police learned of the assault when an elementary school student told a teacher about a cellphone video featuring one of her classmates. Authorities say that on November 28, the girl was offered a ride by a 19-year-old who took her to his house, then ordered her to take her clothes off, saying she’s be beaten if she didn’t. She was raped by several men and boys, then moved to the trailer where more assaults occurred as the attackers took cellphone videos and photographs.
The New York Times published a story today about how the case has torn apart the town, and the paper chooses to focus on the plight of the accused men. The author says the town is wondering “how could their young men have been drawn into such an act?” as if they were tricked into gang raping a child. Then there’s this quote:
Finish reading the article here.
Further updates and The Times responds here.
I don’t really have time for much personal comment, but FUCK, this is so devastating for so many reasons.
“Getting Down, Rising Up!” is a week of events focused on reclaiming sex based on respect, supporting those who have experienced sexualized violence, and strategizing to make our communities (and sex lives!) safer and sexier for everyone!
Our Workshop:
TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE
Sunday, March 20, 1-3pm
Room TBA, McGill’s SSMU/Shatner Bldg, 3480 McTavish (metro Peel)
Free
How can we work towards eliminating sexualized violence in our communities without resorting to oppressive and racist systems such as the criminal legal system and the police force? This workshop will discuss strategies to hold people who have caused harm accountable, while supporting survivors of violence, and working towards making communities safe.
All events will be wheelchair accessible. For accessibility or childcare needs, please contact specialprojects@sacomss.org.
I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD PETITION!
SNY Webmistress Colin, here. Sorry there’s been a silence from us regarding Planned Parenthood’s funding being in jeopardy. I’ve been working doubles for days now and haven’t had a moment to update.
Anyway, here is a link to the petition to sign. This is the very least you should do. Maybe also think about kicking some money their way. Planned Parenthood is an amazing resource whose existence many people my age have had the luxury of taking for granted. Let’s show the world that we are not a generation of lacadaisical facebook whiners and that we actually stand for something.
I’d like to compile a list of names and contact information of any Reps from NYC districts who voted in favor of this bill, if anyone wants to help me with that, it’d be much appreciated.
Update:
So, we’re apparently doing something right (or at least not TOTALLY wrong) here in the Big Apple, because only two reps in the entire 5 boroughs voted in favor of the Pence Bill to defund Planned Parenthood. They are:
- Peter T. King of the 3rd District, (202) 225-7896
- Michael G. Grimm of the 13th District, (202) 225-3371
Call them and tell them how you feel.
And while you’re at it, here’s a list of the ten Democrats who voted in favor of this despicable legislation:
- Dan Boren, OK-2nd, (202) 225-2701
- Jerry F. Costello, IL-12th, (202) 225-5661
- Joe Donelly, IN-2nd, (202) 225-3915
- Daniel Lipinski, IL-3rd, (202) 225-5701
- Mike McIntyre, NC-7th, (202) 225-2731
- Collin C. Peterson, MN-7th, (202) 225-2165
- Nick J. Rahall II, WV-3rd, (202) 225-3452
- Silvestre Reyes, TX-16th, (202) 225-4831
- Mike Ross, AR-4th, (202) 225-3772
- Heath Shuler, NC-11th (202) 225-6401
3rd Annual Anti-Valentine’s Day Riot Grrrl Cover Show
Hey there come out and support the 3rd annual Riot Gurrl Cover Band show. A benefit for Cycle! A start up feminist Bike shop.
$5-$10 Sliding Scale
The Awesome Cover Bands Are:
Bangs, Lilliput, X-ray specs, Lunachicks, Bratmobile, Team Dresch, Limp Wrist, Bikini KillTabling by:
Wardrobe Boutique
For The Birds Collective
Kellys baked goods and fashions
Support New York
Means Of Productions Printing
Bluestockings
Featuring many Support New Yorkers! 6:30 PM at Death By Audio! Here’s the facebook invite!
Interview with Lauren Denitzio about sexism in the punk scene.
Friend to Support New York, artist and rad rocker Lauren Denitzio of The Measure [SA] did a pretty great interview at I Live Sweat.
While yes, most of my friends and the spaces I go to do not tolerate obviously sexist, homophobic, racist, able-ist, etc. speech, saying those concepts do not exist in our community is just flat out wrong. What offends me is not always just the action itself, but the excuse that if you wear the “punk” label that you’re absolved of having done anything wrong because you “didn’t mean it that way.” I can’t think of a rationale so unproductive.
Tomorrow: NYC Vigil To Remember David Kato
On January 26, 2011, David Kato, a prominent LGBT human rights defender in Uganda, was murdered in his home. His violent death comes in the wake of threats, violence and intimidation that he himself and other LGBT individuals and their supporters have faced. In the most recent incident of incitement to homophobic violence, the faces, names and addresses of “alleged homosexuals” were published under the headline “Hang Them” by a local tabloid. On 3 January 2011, Kato, whose face was on the tabloid’s cover, and two other plaintiffs won a lawsuit against the publication. The High Court of Uganda found that their privacy had been violated, ordering compensation and an injunction again future similar publication. In recent days, in addition to Kato, the two other plaintiffs in the Rolling Stone case have also been subjected to violence, raising concern that they have been targeted because of this case and remain in grave danger. More Information
On Thursday, February 3rd, a coalition of over 38 organizations will hold a peaceful vigil near the Ugandan Mission to the United Nations in New York City to remember the life of David Kato, Ugandan LGBT human rights defender, murdered on January 26 in his home. The vigil will honor his struggle for human rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Join us in mourning David and showing the Ugandan government that there must be no more violence and discrimination against LGBT Ugandans.
What: Candlelight vigil and silent procession
When: February 3, 2011, 4:00 pm at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza; 5:00 pm at Uganda House
Where: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 47th Street; Uganda House at 336 East 45th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues
Who: The keynote speech will be delivered by Val Kalende, Board Chair of Freedom and Roam Uganda, an LGBT organization in Uganda.
Additional speakers include:
– Christine Quinn, New York City Council Speaker
– Cary Alan Johnson (International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission)
– Reverend Kapya Kaoma (Public Research Associates)
– Amanda Lugg (African Services Committee)
– Kagendo Murungi (Wapinduzi Productions)
– Pastor Joseph Tolton (Global Justice Initiative)
– Dr. Cheikh Traore
supportny.org 