Jeans Day!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Jeans Day!

Queer fAction organized and executed our very first action this week. March 26th was Jeans Day. This basically consisted of handing out flyers in the University Centre which read, "Jeans Day: Thank you for wearing denim in support of local QUEERS. Brought to you by Queer fAction, an action group of OpirGripo" Overall, it was quite a success, we handed out twice the amount of flyers we anticipated, and definitely raised awareness about the group on campus!

Other ideas that were brought up during/after the event included: making Jeans Day a monthly or bimonthly event, or having a (publicized) 'wear jeans if you're queer' day!

Looking forward to seeing you all at pub night!

THIS FRIDAY APRIL 3, 9PM @ the Lieutenant's Pump!

PS French to come!

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à propos de nous / about us

fAction Queer est un groupe queer basé à Ottawa. Nous nous opposons à l'oppression de tous genres, incluant, mais non limité à, l'hétérosexisme, le patriarcat, le classisme et le sexisme. Nous croyons en la liberté totale de libre
expression de nos désirs et expressions sexuelles. La solidarité et l'action directe sont nos armes.

Queer fAction is a radical queer group, based in Ottawa, challenging gender oppression, patriarchy, heterosexism and all other oppression within the queer community and society at large. We believe in the complete freedom of sexual and gender expressions, harnessing the power of grassroots to express solidarity and confront oppression.

queer.faction@gmail.com

Basis of Unity

Visibility:
-Essential to our struggle, we must be visible as queer people in our communities.
-Smashing closets, repression, and self-hate.
-We are open to being perceived as queer during our meetings and actions.
-Marginal voices cannot possibly be articulated by one monolithic queer group on campus or within our communities.
-We oppose all forms of assimilation as death through erasure.
-We will create a radical presence at queer events and a queer presence at radical events.

Anti-Oppression:
-Active opposition to racism, sexism, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, HIV/AIDS stigma, classism, heteronormativity and homophobia within Queer fAction, queer communities, and our community at large.
-Recognizing power relations within our groups and communities, and acting to eliminate social hierarchies.

Solidarity and Coalition-building:
-Acting in solidarity with other oppressed groups, who may not identify as queer.
-Building relationships with other oppressed groups and activist groups.
-Recognizing that we are acting on unceded Algonquin land

Grassroots:
-Operating our group at the community level, independent from any state or government.

Non-violent Direct Action:
-Actions that are ends in themselves, or lead to concrete ends.

Accessibility:
-Events and meetings should be wheelchair accessible.
-Published items ought to be (at least) French-English bilingual.
-Language should be accessible; specialized or academic vocabulary and concepts should be defined or explained.

Sex-positivity and Sexual Health:
-Acknowledging the ultimate right of individuals to engage in consensual sex acts and relationships, with anybody, with any motivation, paid or unpaid.
-We support the use of harm reduction methods (including but not limited to the use of barriers, education, and testing), as we recognize the effects of HIV-AIDS and other STIs on queer communities as well as other communities

Anti-capitalism:
-We reject the comodification, exploitation, and corporate appropriation of our queer identities
-We reject pink capitalism and gay dollars as tools for liberation

Anarchy:
-Operating our group without hierarchies, coercive power, or internal authority.

Consensus decision-making:
-Decisions made by the group should be supported by (or acceptable to) all members present.
-Ultimate decision-making capacity is held by individuals who have attended 2 Queer fAction meetings and have agreed to the Basis of Unity of the group.
-At least 3 members with decision-making capacity must be present at meetings to have quorum

Voluntary Association:
-Recognizing individuals' rights to act independently or with the group.

****

-This is a living document and is subject to annual review each spring, by consensus, while maintaining the integrity and spirit of the original document.

-Translation of the document can be agreed upon at regular Queer fAction meetings, outside of the annual review

(Nous sommes en train d'écrire une version française du présent document)