Windy City Media: The transformative politics of gender
This article was written by Kate Sosin.
Appeared originally: The Windy City Times
Photo Credit: Sara Deragon
Pictured: (L) Krys Freeman – (R) Cara Thaxton…The division between the two organizations comes at a time when college “women’s studies” programs are increasingly becoming “gender studies” programs and women’s organizations must revise their mission statements to include their transgender members. Where women once created separate spaces in a male-dominated society, many must now accept that such spaces are often painted as exclusionary by trans rights groups. For some, it calls into question the very idea of what “feminist” means.
Feminist communities hit a major road bump in 1994 when a transgender woman was ejected from the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. The “Womyn-born-Womyn only” policy became a point of protest for transgender communities, who argued that the policy aimed to delegitimize transgender women as women.
…Both [groups] want to push past the differences and support each other. “We share a community,” Freeman said. “So there’s no way we can’t work together.”
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Gendercast: Reflections on BUTCH Voices 2011
Gendercast host Jessie interviews BUTCH Voices Programming Chair Jay Walls & partner Kari Kesler who appeared on a previous episode discussing feminism.
Join Jessie as they discuss the 2011 BUTCH Voices National Conference with Kari Kesler, our guest from Episode 9 on Feminism and Jay Walls, who served the programming chair for the conference. Jessie and Kari provide some reflection and discussion about the charged divisiveness which occurred at the conference in relation to the “Masculine of Center” terminology in the Butch Voices mission statement as well as some women-identified butches forming a split off group, Butch Nation. Sean weighs in as our resident butch!
A few choice quotes from the podcast:
- “…we’re talking about two kinds of feminism.”
- “The diversity of race and age was awe-inspiring.” Read more
Hundreds attend second national BUTCH Voices conference
This review was written by Nicole Jones.
Appeared originally: Oakland North
…Oakland continues to be a prime location to host the national BUTCH Voices conference. At Thursday night’s opening celebration, Oakland City Councilmember at Large Rebecca Kaplan addressed the conference goers. “As the only butch in the local government,” she said, “I gotta say it is so awesome to be in a room of badass butches and allies.”
For Immediate Release: Bridging Gender & Generations
From the Release:
Commenting on BUTCH Voices conferences past and present, 2011 Conference Keynote Alice Y. Hom continues, last year, “I organized and presented a panel called, ‘Bromance, Kinship, and Mandates: Unveiling Taboo Topics’ with 5 other panelists who are AAPI queers of various gender identifications. … [This year,] I’m looking forward to [engaging] with butches of all stripes and people of various gender identifications. I want to have conversations, learn from others, struggle with ourselves & each other, and experience the thrill of seeing all of us basking in the beauty of love & community with all of our differences & contradictions.” Read more
Letter from BV Founder
As the Founder of BUTCH Voices, I feel it necessary to share my thoughts on the many changes that have taken place over the years with our organization; especially in light of our most recent publicity and after seeing the many responses to official statements [statement 1] [statement 2] released by our BV board president, Krys Freeman. It is important to the entire BV board and 2011 BUTCH Voices Conference steering committee that you feel heard. It is most important to us that you know that, no, we are not the same BUTCH Voices that held the first national conference in 2009. But, we are better. We are the same people, your same community, improved. Still, and only with your help and support, we have the opportunity to become even greater.
An Open Letter
This is something that I never thought I would have to write. Yet, I know, with change, often come awkward stepping stones. Writing this now, I am confident that I will look back on this moment and understand it as one necessary to the development and sustainment of BUTCH Voices.
Recently, former BUTCH Voices members made an attempt at what might be perceived as airing BUTCH Voices’ dirty laundry. It has recently been picked up and covered by media outlets, and I’m sure more coverage will come. Unfortunately, this is often the case when inaccurate and negative information is spread throughout the internet.
I have already made a previous public statement about the press release, and been in contact with many who are concerned about BUTCH Voices’ “internal strife” and the “affect this may have on our upcoming conference” in August. I appreciate your concern, and you have given me and my fellow BV board members much food for thought and improvement.
Still, I want to publicly announce, at this point, there has been no “airing of dirty laundry” because there is no internal strife with BUTCH Voices or the 2011 BUTCH Voices National Conference. We are what we think; we are all on which we focus our thoughts. At present, the entire BV team is focusing on making our 2nd National Conference the best conference to date.
Saying this, I am still aware that there are issues to be addressed and questions to be answered.
For Immediate Release: We Are Anything But Insular
From L-R: Mary Stockton, Redwolf Painter, Q. Ragsdale, Joe LeBlanc, Krys Freeman
“Although directed at a target audience, we are anything but insular,” says BUTCH Voices President, Chief Strategist, and Conference Co-Chair, Krys Freeman. “Because of our presence and multi-regional outreach efforts, we’ve gained backing from groups and media outlets we never expected … from DC, NY, New Jersey, Florida … The list is getting a little overwhelming,” Freeman kids. “Everybody’s like ‘We love what you’re doing in Oakland! We’ve never seen this before! We’re coming to the conference!’” She adds with all sincerity, “We are intent on maintaining these connections and building more.”
For Immediate Release: 2011 Submission Deadline Extended
Butch Tap performs at the
2009 BUTCH Voices Conference
Missed the June 1 submission date because things got hectic at work or school?
It’s not to late to submit your performance, film or conference session abstract for BUTCH Voices 2011. In fact we received a number of submissions just before and through the days after our original deadline. [Submit a Proposal]
For Immediate Release: BUTCH Voices Revs Up for 2nd National Conference
BUTCH Voices Los Angeles Group Photo
The second national conference of it’s kind, BUTCH Voices 2011 is produced by a team of critical-thinking, open-minded, gender-bending social justice activists who share a common goal of increasing positive visibility. Pre-Conference Projects include an ongoing flickr.com photo project, local fundraisers and a Youtube video contest.
For all press inquiries, please contact our Media Director Q-Roc Ragsdale.
Persistence: All Ways Butch & Femme
Ivan Coyote - Speaker - BUTCH Voices Conference (2009) - Persistence Co-Editor
This review was written by Andrea Zanin.
Appeared originally: Xtra! Canada’s Gay and Lesbian News.
“The Vancouver-based couple was inspired by Sharman’s reflections and research on femme invisibility and Coyote’s attendance at the summer 2009 Butch Voices conference. Another major factor was the strong reader response to Coyote’s pieces “A Butch Roadmap” and “Hats Off to Beautiful Femmes,” columns published by Xtra in July of 2009.
