Edition 87: Pride: Past, Present & Future with Women Speak Florida, aurora linnea & Sekhmet SheOwl
Jul 6, 2023
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Activists aurora linnea and Sekhmet SheOwl discuss Pride and its evolution with Women Speak Florida, emphasizing the commercialization of Pride events, reclaiming Pride for lesbians, empowering women in activism, and addressing patriarchal dominance in LGBTQ+ culture.
Pride events have evolved from political resistance to commercialized celebrations.
Recent focus on including heterosexual men in drag as lesbians has caused tensions in the LGBTQ+ community.
Reviving political activism in Pride events or transitioning towards smaller, purposeful gatherings is proposed for meaningful celebration.
Deep dives
Diverse Coverage on LGBT Pride
The podcast addresses a wide array of topics related to LGBT pride, including a conversation with Women Speak Florida, the legislature in Japan regarding sexual assault, gender-affirming care for minors in the US, challenges facing lesbian and bisexual women in France and Ireland, and surrogacy laws in California.
Historical Context and Critique of Pride Celebrations
The episode reflects on the history and evolution of LGBT pride celebrations, emphasizing the initial political resistance and courage associated with these events. It delves into how Pride has transformed into a more inclusive but less politically charged occasion, often criticized for losing its original activism and becoming a commercialized and corporatized affair.
Fluctuating Focus of Pride
The podcast critiques the recent shift in focus during Pride events towards the inclusion of heterosexual men in drag identifying as lesbians, which has led to the expulsion of dissenting women and allies. It highlights tensions between gay male-dominated Pride movements and feminist lesbian women's aims, pointing out clashes and exclusions within the LGBTQ+ community.
Call to Revive Political Activism in Pride
There's a call to revive the political roots of Pride events or consider retiring them, suggesting a need to reintroduce meaningful political resistance against oppression. The episode proposes reshaping Pride parades into spaces for organizing and consciousness-raising on social justice issues, veering away from the current trend of apolitical or regressive celebrations.
Community Building and Future Directions
The episode emphasizes the importance of community building among LGB individuals, advocating for intimate and purposeful interactions over large-scale Pride festivities. It encourages fostering meaningful connections, consciousness-raising, and political engagement within smaller, like-minded groups as a more impactful way of celebrating LGBTQ+ identities.
Welcome to Edition 87 wherein WLRN explores the varied experiences and meanings of Pride, a yearly celebration of LGBTQ+ during the month of June.
First, hear Sekhmet SheOwl greet listeners before handing the mic to Mary O'Neill who delivers WLRN's world news segment. Next up, hear an excerpt of the song "You Need to Calm Down" by Taylor Swift before hearing Thistle & Emily's discussion with VF and Jade of Women Speak Florida about Pride events and their event called "TERF Pride" coming up in NYC on July 23rd. To learn more about TERF Pride, email womenspeakflorida@gmail.com.
After the interview segment with VF and Jade, hear April Nealt's reading of aurora linnea's 2021 piece entitled "Pride: Corporate Patriarchy's Celebration in the Streets" https://wlrnmedia.com/2021/06/18/pride-corporate-patriarchys-celebration-in-the-streets/ before staying tuned 'til the very end for Sekhmet's commentary on the subject.
Thank you, as always, dear listeners, for staying tuned to WLRN, YOUR feminist community-powered radio station in the Femisphere.
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