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 appose 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.

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 should be (at least) French-English bilingual.
-Language should be accessible; specialized or academic vocabulary and concepts should be defined or explained.

Sex-positivity:
-Acknowledging the ultimate right of individuals to engage in consensual sex acts and relationships, with anybody, with any motivation, paid or unpaid.
-Safer sex is hotter sex, just sayin'.
-During group orgies, use of barriers is strongly encouraged

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.

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.

-Anyone who has attended 2 Queer fAction meetings as of April 22, 2009 is welcome to submit changes for review in September 2009.

(version française en développement)