The Importance of Queer Spaces

I recently wrote about an experience I had at a gig a couple of weeks ago. Upon reflection, I think I have more to say. (shocker).

Writing so candidly about someone and then sending that published prose about them, to them, is terrifying. I was instantly filled with regret , wondering if I should never have written about them at all. Luckily, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Not only my 'muse', but also members of an audience I didn't know I had. In my post "Queer Spaces" , I very briefly touched on the topic of homelessness. The girl I wrote about, we'll call her "Angel", went on to share with me some more of her story. She told me how she was penalised for being a trans woman, how this lead to her being without a home for sometimes months on end. Angel is only 19.

Unfortunately, many share a similar story. Discrimination against lgbtq+ youth is horrifically common. The constant persistence of right wing media amplifying twisted public attitudes plagues society. We have all seen or heard the debates discussing one's right to self identify, the right for bodily autonomy and more. Here I wanted to shine a light on the ugly disfigured reality that we so easily ignore. Such trivial debates encourage family members to ostracise their own kin and practically in-law public harassment. This happened to Angel.

"Being down and out for me has just been a way of life for me for as long as I remember clearly" Angel told me. 

"Being trans, well, as soon as 13 year old me knew what I was, I knew that it was "wrong". The government wants us to stop existing. We're not "family friendly", so if we're out; getting a job is incredibly difficult. Society is divided between people who actively want us dead and people who just don't care either way."

Instead of outwardly speaking in support of one of our most vulnerable communities, our government seems to place importance in clasping fiscal manacles to pensioners. Starmer stated in an interview that transgender women who have not undergone gender confirmation surgeries should not be allowed access to women's spaces (see keir-starmer-lgbtq-record ). Returning back to the age old debate concerning women's toilets hiding behind the straw-man guise that this is to protect 'biological women'. It feels hopeless watching these political figures in power defend bigotry by claiming it's in the name of our safety. In ensuring this "safety" he is purposefully marginalising not only the entire trans community but also specifically targeting our sisters early in transition, our sisters who cannot yet afford the extortionate costs and endless waiting to receive such surgeries and our sisters who don't want them all the same. Pushing this narrative is also teaching our young trans members of society that they are not worthy until they conform to societal expectations of what they should be. This can perpetuate hopelessness and even incite suicidal ideation because "what is the point?". 

"I looked in the mirror and what looked back was so ugly and wrong and 'not me' that it made me feel both like i kind of deserved it, and like i didn't truly exist anyway so it didn't matter." says Angel when discussing her history of abuse.

We are teaching our impressionable young people that they are not worthy of basic human kindness. With each heart wrenching invitation of discrimination our government launch into the media, I am reminded that this is a fight we must pursue. We will not lay, white belly-up, delicate flesh waiting for our leaders to slaughter our family. For their lack of mercy should inspire our own. Existence and acceptance should not be a privilege. 

"I was scared and upset obviously - but it didn't really matter, I'd been in the same position before and if no one else cared, then... yeah.
That changed at the gig. Seeing so many people just like me and finding them beautiful, feeling that they deserved the world. Why did I feel like I didn't deserve a little bit of it too?"

"I think it all really changed my perspective. Imagine you've only seen in black & white for years, and then one night not only do you start seeing colour but there's a firework show going on"

Angel is woven from lightening and stardust. She is but one example of a light we cannot allow to be snuffled out.

Queer spaces provide indescribable refuge for all feeling unwelcome or unaccepted. By having these havens, not only are we giving stage to lgbtq+ celebration, but also indirectly welcoming the lonely into a place of love. There is no telling the  good and the joy these venues can foster. Let us not underestimate the importance of funding your local queer scene. It might just be waiting for an angel to stumble upon it and restore their vision to technicolour.

That is so fucking cheesy. You get my point. 

I love you Angel x