Reading the Combahee River Collective statement, I agree with it. Liberation must be intersectional. The CRC was necessary because traditional white feminism was exclusive and lesbian separatism refused to address anything besides sex. They share, “We have a great deal of criticism and loathing for what men have been socialized to be in this society: what they support, how they act, and how they oppress. But we do not have the misguided notion that it is their maleness, per se—i.e., their biological maleness—that makes them what they are.” Their statement, “Any type of biological determinism, is a particularly dangerous and reactionary basis upon which to build a politic” is incredibly powerful and should still be the idea/basis of our liberation and political movements today.

I loved finally watching Paris is Burning, as I have been meaning to for forever! It was a great insight into the ball scene during the mid-to-late 1980’s, and the many intersections of identities of the members of the ball community. The various identities covered include black, latinx, poor, sex workers, gay, transgender and individuals living with AIDS The film shows the beutiful community of drag, vouging, and balls. For everyone, the balls and competitions were an escape from whatever shitty reality (sexism, homelessness, poverty, homophobia, racism, classism) they were faced with. It was their fantasy world, their time to be a shining star in a world that was denying them a spot in media/popular culture, and well-paying jobs. The importance of a “chosen family” for LGBT is emphasized. Young homeless kids share their stories of being thrown out of their house, and finding refuge, family and parental figures in the ball scene. 

One of the men in the film states, “When you are a man and a woman you can do ANYTHING. You can almost have sex in the street if you want to. The most somebody is gonna say is” hey get a hump for me.” But when you’re gay, you monitor everything you do. you monitor how you look, how you dress, how you talk, how you act. Do they see me? Do they think of me?” This line is powerful and highlights the privilege that heterosexual people have that goes unregistered to them. They will never have to worry about things like whether or not if they kiss in public it will get them harassed or assaulted (because of their gender or sexuality). This is still rampant in our current society, even here in NYC.