A Transgender and Intersex
Learning Exchange:
Feminism and Gender & Sex Diversity.
Feminism and Gender & Sex Diversity.
12- 8.30pm, Saturday 12th July, Lambeth Women's Project, 166a Stockwell Road, London SW9 9TQ. Nearest Tube: Brixton. Map
Download Flyer (Front and Back, 2 A5 per A4 sheet)
FAF are presenting a learning exchange on trans and intersex issues and their relationship to feminism. The relationship between feminism and transgender in particular has not been a smooth one in the history of feminist activism. This learning
exchange is geared toward people who may be unsure of the importance
or relevance of transgender to feminism, particularly from an
intergenerational perspective.
This event has been organised by a collective of trans and non-trans feminists, and trans-people will be actively involved in the running of the day, including speaking at and facilitating sessions.
We want this to be a safe space
for people from all backgrounds/feminist perspectives to come together, ask questions, exchange ideas, make
mistakes, learn, create, and build alliances.
Schedule
12.30 PANEL:
Everything you ever wanted to know about transgender issues but were afraid to ask
Speakers: Debbie, Col (film-maker), and Helen G (f-word blogger). Chair: Sophie.
An introduction to 'transgender' issues and the opportunity to listen to trans men and women's stories and experiences. This session will incorporate a Q&A session, where questions can be posed anonymously as well as openly, and a screening of the short-film 'The Jar'.
1.45 Lunch
Chance to have a natter and check out the artwork and resources.
2.15 PANEL:
Second Wave Feminists
talk out loud about transgender Radical feminists have long known the benefits of organising autonomously from
men in their grassroots activism. This panel sees Second Wave Feminists share their
different experiences and ideas about women-only space and the question of transgender recognition. Speakers include Carol (a socialist-radical feminist), Gail (The Feminist Library) and Sue (Older Feminist Network).
3.45 WORKSHOP:
Sex Diversity: The spectrum of sex beyond 'male' and 'female'
It is often taken for granted that there are only two sexes: male and female. This workshop, with Marcus and Daniel (a former biologist), explores the diversity of sexed experience. Come and learn about the spectrum of sexes and place yourself somewhere along the continuum. This session also includes a screening of the animation "Not So Black and White".
5.15 DISCUSSION:
Beyond the Binary: What are the feminist implications?
This session will ask: how have trans-gendered and gender variant people influenced feminism? What is feminism's relationship to binary structures- such as man/woman - - and how are binaries related to other hierarchical power structures in society? What
are the links between trans-liberation struggles and the demands of the Women's Liberation Movement? Opportunities for creative responses and manifesto writing
aplenty. Facilitated by diy activists Debi, Kris and Sherry.
7.00 Film Screening: XXY (Argentina, 2007) Spanish with English subtitles, 91 mins.
 "Refusing to sensationalise the subject of a
teenager with genital ambiguity, she [director Lucia Puenzo] creates a thoughtful,
well-measured reflection on sexuality, identity and the struggle to
follow the heart's desire…." --Allan Hunter/ Screen Daily - Review |
XXY
(Argentina, 2007) This 16 award-winning drama considers the complicated and moving life of Alex, an intersex teenager who's family encourage her to "choose" a gender and consider surgery as a viable option. With the awkward stage of adolescence comes finding your identity, understanding the changes in your body, falling in love, getting into scraps with friends, and, when you're an intersex teenager, being put under the violent eye of people who want to 'know what you are'. Read full synopsis here |
FILM SYNOPSIS OF SHORTS (screened throughout the day):
"The Jar" (Australia) 7 minutes. 1987
A trans feminist film in its darkest light. The filmmaker re-creates
a process that they would watch their father do as a child. In the
fathers mind it was a hobby, in the mind of the child filmmaker it was
a tragic loss to the feminine, to the spirit of planet earth, and 22
years later, after The Jar was created, the filmmaker still
feels the same tragic ignorance in this world today.
"Not So Black Or White" (UK/Australia) 3 mintues. 2006
A narrative journey of an intersex person who allows his voice to be
recorded to a visually animated, external representation of
himself. The never ending patterns of truth mirror his transformation in
life and reflect in different shapes and forms that nothing is what it
seems, nor permanently stays a fixed state.
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If you are press please contact us for guidelines of the day (as part of FAF's safer spaces policy and the requests of some participants). This event is free and open to feminists of all genders. Lunch will be provided - food/money donations welcome.
Our venue is accessible by wheelchair but the toilet is not adapted
and space is quite tight. We are endeavoring to find future spaces in
London that are free/very cheap and fully accessible. If you have ideas
please get in touch! Please contact us if you have creche needs or any
other accessibility questions.
mail@feministactivistforum.org.uk
Solidarity
Picnic
13th July, Hampstead Heath. Meet
at 12pm, Hampstead Heath Station, South End Green, London
A picnic for feminists of all genders to come
together, have fun, build friendship and community.
Opportunities
for football tournaments, pagan rituals, barbie-qs and skinny
dipping, or just dipping. Please bring food/drinks/games to share! Not to be missed!
Feminist Freeschool
4-5th October, Manchester
Radical Feminist community education is coming soon! See 'working groups' for more info about getting involved
Reclaim the Night!
22nd November, London
A strong, defiant march to protest against violence against women and the need to end to rape culture. A FAF contingent will be at the London march. In the spirit of autonomous organising, the march is for all self-identified women only (trans-inclusive).
Whitehall Place, Central London Map here , Women-only march
Followed by rally with speakers and stalls, open to all women, children and men and fully accessible at:
Friends Meeting House, Main Hall, Euston Road. Map here