NOLOSE, Intersectional Politics, and the Urban/Rural Queer Split

[starstealingirl]

The theme of this year's NOLOSE conference was "More Than Just Fat: The Intersection of All Our Identities." The conference's concentration on building a complex, coalitional movement recognizing the need to take a variety of identities and experiences into account-- for example, race, disability, trans identity, age, and the experiences of "

Comments

[sparkymonster]

I need to come back to this. I talked briefly with you and a few other people about the rural/urban split and east coast centrism. And some stuff.

So. I'm seeing you somewhat say that not everyone can be intersectional yet. And that before that intersectionality can happen, we need to deal with rural/urban splits, etc.

But but. Talking about rural/urban issues is something that is an aspect of intersectional identity. You are not a generic queer fat woman (as if there could be one). Your life as a queer fat woman is impacted by your physical location, your education, your money situation, etc. etc. Tackling the issue of NOLOSE making certain assumptions about the lives of its attendees is fundamentally about intersectionality. I think.

[starstealingirl]

I'm not trying to say that not everyone can be intersectional yet. In fact, I'd say that the opposite is true: that social movements of all kinds need to be intersectional from the beginning. What I'm trying to say is that, in light of locational differences, urban queer fat folk need to revisit their assumptions about what an intersectional politics means, and what it looks like.

I agree with you that this is fundamentally about intersectionality, and I'm attempting (if not necessarily succeeding) to frame my concerns within that context. My concern about the conference is precisely the fact that it claimed to be about intersectional politics, but then went on to make some untenable assumptions and marginalize certain attendees. I don't want to claim that intersectional politics are unimportant, but I do want to say that for them to be effective, we need to allow, and account for, identities that we didn't expect.

[masculine_lady]

I also need to come back to it, as I am with my kid at the moment. but I live in the midwest! so, yeah, I get what you are saying and want to talk about it more.

Gini's Response Part 1

[giniliz]

Thanks for getting this written up and this discussion going somewhere beyond just some frustrated conversations between the two of us. Some additional thoughts of mine regarding rural fat queer radicalness

Gini's Response Part 2

[giniliz]

"We need to build a movement that takes the experiences of rural queers into account, that gives them credit as activists and bearers of agency, and that, to some extent, decenters the city as the locus of activism."

Can I just say how much I love this phrasing? I think you may have just produced the best possible one sentence description of this project/conversation.

Weight Watchers, Curves, fundamentalist religious groups, and tons of anti-fat public health dollars are being poured into rural areas. There is, therefore, a great need for radicals to be able to make their home (whether temporary or permanent) in such areas and effect change. I like being in such an area because I can see clear results of my work. I hope we can develop some space for conversation with others about how that fits into the bigger picture of queer fat activism.

"As such, when we talk about fashion and exclusion in a setting like NOLOSE, we need to take into account not just differences of material access for conference attendees, but also emotional

[masculine_lady]

ok. hmmm. you are right. but I need to add that there was no way in hell we were ever going to be capable of addressing every intersection that met us in those rooms. that being said, I have often struggled with this myself. I live in the fattest state in the nation, and sure, I see lots of fat people all the time. But I don't see Fat people. Lots of lesbians, not so many queers. And none of them have any idea about intersections, save the few close friends I have been able to make.

You are clearly very smart and thoughtful, and well, I am all kinds of personalizing this, but it rings true. What also rings true, however, is that NOLOSE is dynamic and open to change.

[starstealingirl]

but I need to add that there was no way in hell we were ever going to be capable of addressing every intersection that met us in those rooms.Well... no. But that doesn't absolve any of us from trying. Nor does it mean that the intersections that weren't explicitly addressed at the conference are somehow less important than the ones that were. I'm not asking that anybody at NOLOSE-- attendees or board members-- attempt to anticipate in advance all of the ways in which fat might intersect with other identities. But I think there might be ways, in future conferences and future iterations of queer and fat activism, to open up a space for unanticipated intersections to emerge and become part of the conversation

[masculine_lady]

yes, for sure. All of that. I sure hope I didn't come across as defensive, as that is not where I was sitting at all. More like, fuck yes, let's do this right.
When I said I was personalizing it, I meant I was speaking from a personal perspective rather than an super informed place. Of course, though, I can't help but take all things NOLOSE personally. I *do* bust my ass. But you know something that is different this year, for me? I ended the conference more energized than burnt out. That feels really fucking good. And it's critique like yours that makes that true.

[starstealingirl]

When I said I was personalizing it, I meant I was speaking from a personal perspective rather than an super informed place.

Eh, I don't know if I even come from a "super informed place." I've only lived intermittently in small towns; I've never fully integrated into small town life. I just happen to be able to dress up my personal experiences in pretty academic language, due to my pursuit of a degree in Advanced Geekery. =P I'm most definitely interested in hearing, and being potentially challenged by, other people's personal perspectives.

But you know something that is different this year, for me? I ended the conference more energized than burnt out. That feels really fucking good. And it's critique like yours that makes that true.Awww. I'm happy for you, and flattered by the compliment. I am for the most part, emerging from the conference energized too (although I was pretty burnt out as well, due to the fact that I barely slept all weekend