When the name Sylvia Lee Rivera is mentioned, without a doubt ones first thought, comment or reflection is that “Sylvia is widely credited with throwing the first shoe (or depending upon the remembrance first or second bottle, Molotov cocktail, etc) at Stonewall.” From that point on, the remembrance and analysis of Sylvia is strongly influenced by this pivotal moment in queer history. Very little of what is remembered, spoken or written about Sylvia deviates much from that of her involvement in Stonewall and the succeeding predominately white, middle class led LGBT movement. And sadly even within the Trans community to which Sylvia dedicated her life to, she is primarily whitewashed along with her radical politics being marginalized or even totally omitted! Continue Reading

As we mobilize, here in Connecticut and throughout the US, in opposition to the Stupak Amendment it is vital to maintain an intersectional analysis and vision to our advocacy and activism. The following discourse hopefully outlines (employing the examples of reproductive rights and trans rights) how we as a society cannot and must not rely  on our votes, our so-called political pressures, or our politicians in securing full and equal access to health care, as well as self-determination over their bodies.

We must, as in the words of the inspiring anarchist Ammon Hennacy “see our bodies as our ballots and to vote every single day with our bodies;” and so to work outside the system Continue Reading

Charter Oak Cultural Center

21 Charter Oak Ave

Hartford CT

6-8 pm, August 21st

“Queering the Immigration Discussion”

All over the country, including Connecticut, our government sponsors the break-up of families, the displacement of people, and the forced removal of workers from hope itself. This takes the form of immigration law and is manifested most brutally in agencies such as ICE. But the queer community has its own unique problems within the framework of the immigration debate. This event promises to highlight those problems. Come join Queers without Borders and the Workers Solidarity Alliance of Connecticut for a panel discussion on queer immigration issues! Food and drinks provided.

Panelists include:

Nancy Naples–Feminist sociologist and professor at the University of Connecticut

Virge Carstens–NLG lawyer specializing in immigration, and queer immigration issues in particular

Jerimarie Liesegang–From the CT TransAdvocacy Coalition, Queers without Borders, and the Workers Solidarity Alliance of Connecticut

You are invited to the Queers Without Borders [QWB] monthly meeting this coming Sunday, July 12th, 5 pm, at MCC/Hartford, 155 Wyllys Street, Hartford, Ct.(*directions below).   Some of the topics we will be discussing Sunday are:

• planning the QWB play Queer Revolutionary Voices
• QWB presence and possible panel at the Providence Anarchist Book Fair
• planning the Queer immigration event/panel

QWB was formed several years back to proudly reclaim our Queer Identity. QWB meetings are open to all, be you queer or ally, and we invite each and every Continue Reading

In framing the title/subject of this piece it is not my intent to spell out a detailed critical analysis of an LGBTQ movement in this brief essay, though rather, as best as I can from my perspective, initiate a framework for such an analysis and most importantly hopefully engender a collaborative dialogue on this subject.

The basic premise of this analysis frames itself around the value and effectiveness of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (add your own other labels) community to rally around the implicit connotation of a full LGBTQ equality movement.  Is this a movement to secure full equality for all diverse genders and sexualities? Is this a movement demanding true sexual and gender revolution or simply sexual and gender reforms?  Is this a movement that truly represents all peoples and diversities within the LGBTQ communities? Or is this a movement to assure full equality within the heterosexual framework of western culture? Continue Reading

MCC Hartford Celebrates Black History Month

Film and Conversation at MCC Hartford “Brother Outsider ~ The Bayard Rustin Story”

Sunday, February 15th at 5 PM, 155 Wyllys Street, Hartford, CT^*

Continue Reading