Talking queer identities from isolation

Covid19 has led to a change in how Thursdays in Black is doing our activism and engaging with our student community. In light of this, Thursdays in Black Otago just had its first ever Zoom-based panel, for Pride Week Ōtepoti. Our panel discussed LGBTQ+/Queer identities and issues, and the broader topic of sexual violence. Thank you to all the panelists for their honest and meaningful kōrero, and to all those who tuned in. 

Our first panelist, Angelo Libeau, is the development coordinator at ŌCASA, Ōtepoti Collective Against Sexual Abuse (was called Rape Crisis). Angelo also works in crisis support and sexual violence prevention within ŌCASA. Our next panelist, Michaela Waite-Harvey is the Welfare and Equity Representative for OUSA in 2020. As part of this role, Michaela is also a general member of the Thursdays in Black Executive for this year. Our third panelist, Tanya Findlater, works alongside Angelo as a collective member at ŌCASA. Tanya has also been very involved with Thursdays in Black, leading Thursdays in Black Otago in 2018 and 2019. Our fourth and final Panelist is Rachel Shaw. Rachel is currently the Prevention Coordinator at Te Whare Tāwharau as well as being a support volunteer. The panel was hosted by Kayli Taylor, Director of Thursdays in Black Otago; and was attended by various members of the community. 

What does it mean to be prideful in Aotearoa New Zealand?

In Pride Week, we celebrate our queer communities and their identities. For Angelo, Pride is about being passionate and sure of yourself. Rachel agreed, saying that a sense of community is vital in being proud. Michaela discussed intersectionality, and recognising various sectors of identity for those in the queer community. Tanya agreed, mentioning the need for decolonisation. Tanya and Angelo discussed anger - and how it is okay and valid to still be angry. For our panelists, and many audience members who agreed, Pride is about protest. 

What does it mean to be prideful AND recognise the impact of various issues on our queer communities? 

It is important to remain nuanced in our understandings of Pride Week and queer identities however. We must remain aware of the issues within our Queer communities historically, and currently. Michaela acknowledged how demanding it is to be a constant activist, and how easy it is to be bogged down by awareness of these issues. However, she said that we need to recognise that while Pride is political, it also needs to be joyful and find happiness. Rachel agreed - saying that networks and community were important. She also said that it was important, within sexual violence, to focus on queer perspectives in these discussions. Tanya said that the queer community has been bonded by its experieneces, and that makes it stronger. But she also said that queer activists need to be mindful of sustainability. Angelo argued for nuance, and recognising that our fights are linked. Angelo emphasised that there is a lot of work that needs to go into giving the queer community proper resourcing so that these conversations can be had constructively. 

How can allies use their voices, and empower the queer community? How can the queer community be empowered and use their voices?

Angelo brought up an interesting question around resourcing for the queer community, and how conversations the queer community can be empowered to have its own voice in coverations. Rachel said that collaboration is key. Tanya said that the best way to be good allies was to support organisations that were already doing the work, and said that organisations need funding. Angelo said that allies needed to know when to not talk but just listen. Members of the queer community can talk for themselves as individuals, so let them. Michaela said that, as in all areas, it is challenging to listen to privileged voices, because they are just unaware. Allies aren’t the best representatives of queer stories, queer people are. People need to know when to say “no” to allies. Sometimes allies need to “sit down and shut up”. 

How do we communicate to people that sometimes they do need to “sit down and shut up”?

Tanya acknowledged that some people are better at knowing how to ask allies to “sit down and shut up” politely, and that that isn’t one of her strong suits. But she said that we need people who are willing to have these conversations, and that queer communities should play to their strengths with this. Rachel acknowledged the professional/personal divide that she has in her life, and that in a professional setting there is more pressure to be gracious with people. She also said that you need to be more directive with people, and give people ways to still be involved. Michaela acknowledged that these conversations are hard to have, and that these conversations need to come from the top of organisations. Angelo also acknowledged that these conversations are hard to have, and we need to have patience with people. There are a lot of ways that privilege is felt and experienced, and these conversations need to exist in all factors of our lives. 

Is the Dunedin Queer community too small?

None of the panelists saw the Dunedin Queer community as small. Both Rachel and Michaela had grown up rurally and found the queer community in Dunedin to be much bigger and more lively than where they had grown up. Tanya acknowledged that the community is constantly growing, and while it can sometimes feel small, it reflects a tight-knit community. Angelo did not feel the community was small and mentioned that Dunedin has a long history of queer activism.

Is the Queer community too small – or too exclusive?

There was a general agreement that queer people seem to just find other queer people. Angelo mentioned that they hadn’t sought out the queer community, but simply stumbled upon other queer people. Michaela, Rachel, and Tanya all said they met other queer people through volunteering, with Tanya raising the point that there is data confirming that queer young people do volunteer more. 

Do Queer communities have an obligation to help out other marginalised communities?

The consensus on this one was a big yes from all four panelists. Michaela recognised that there was a lot of intersectionality within the queer community. This recognition was echoed by Tanya, Rachel, and Angelo. Tanya said “if you are not helping other marginalised communities then you are only helping a tiny slice of the queer community.” Rachel and Angelo went on to say that everything is linked and we need to be aware of allyship. This linked back to conversations about decolonisation, and the ongoing need to challenge structures of power. 

Is there a generation change in how people see themselves? Are people more comfortable with being Queer?

Angelo recognised that people are more comfortable with being queer, but also acknowledged that there are still challenges. Rachel went on to acknowledge that there are queer people in Dunedin of many ages and there are many elders who are willing to share their experiences and their history. The importance of intergenerational collaboration was echoed by Michaela, who acknowledged that the challenges facing queer communities are changing, citing capitalism as an example. Tanya added that while the language may change from generation to generation, they tend to reflect the same experiences. 

Thank you again to those who tuned in to our panel. Thank you to our panelists for sharing their stories and experiences, and for the work they do in our communities.