(no subject)

I am looking for a source for back issues of Danzine to peruse for an extracurricular project. Any zine libraries (or collectors) out there? I don't need to own them, just to read them. I tried the website, but they appear to be sold out or otherwise unavailable. Can anyone help?

Geek Social Fallacies and the Dyke March

I've been thinking about the inclusion/exclusion issues of the Dyke March lately, thanks to final_girl and others, and, relatedly, to seperatism issues in general. Some people I know who are bio-boys and good queer activisty men feel excluded and hurt by the Dyke March (and other seperatist space) policies. Since I like them, I am somewhat sympathetic to their feelings. But I've been uneasy with the politics.

I think I've been able to pinpoint why, at least for myself, with the help of the Geek Social Fallacies page. [note: as of this very moment, the page seems to be down, but the URL is correct. Try this link in the meantime. Thanks, brooksmoses.]

First of all, I think everyone, whether they march in the Dyke March or not (or want to but can't), or think they're a geek or not, should visit this page. It's chock-full of useful information to think about when disentangling social dynamics.

The part that went 'click' in my head to me, though, is the notion that not being invited to an event is tantamount to exclusion.

Makes sense on the surface, doesn't it? If you're not in, you're out. If you're not welcome, you're not wanted.

The Geek Social Fallacies page, however, points out the problems with this notion. My favorite, because it's so recognizable from my own experience, is the 20-person no-reservation restaurant crawl. Been there, done that, yuck.

I know that some of you will argue that the Dyke March is different. People can make whatever decisions they want about private events, but the march is public. It takes up public space. It should be open.

I'm afraid I just can't buy that any more. The Dyke March, as Daphne I think mentioned first, was started as a way to protest our invisibility in the greater scheme of Pride. That purpose is diluted when men (bio or otherwise) march with us. It's not when they cheer on the sidelines. It's a purpose that I, personally, want to preserve a piece of. That I am protective of.

There are spaces, public and private, that I would like to attend that I am excluded from. Under-30 play parties. 15 Association meetings (kinky gay men, for those who don't know). People of color gatherings. Sometimes I am sad and hurt that I cannot attend. But I deal, because I understand that, despite all the nitty-gritty problems with defining a boundary in the first place, sometimes those boundaries are needed anyway. And sometimes I need to be on the outside of those boundaries in order for something I love to flourish.

This does not mean that the politics of the Dyke March (or the MWMF, or any other space) are beyond interrogation. This does not mean that you can't prefer an inclusive event like the Tranny March. This does not mean that your hurt feelings (or mine) are invalid.

But it does mean that I support the Dyke March's policy as is.

That's all.

(no subject)

I feel somehow compelled to say that neither of the men that I am currently entangled with are the men I mentioned in the previous post. Both of 'em seem perfectly sanguine about the Dyke March's policies.

Speaking of sanguine. Oh, never mind.

I just found out that the fifth word processor here is a big SF geek. (How big? "Tachyon Press!" he said. "I have one of their chapbooks. I didn't know they were doing full-size books now!") When I started, I felt all isolated by the twentysomething girly wedding chat. Now *I* am the majority. Mwah-ha-ha.