The thing that makes a space queer for me are the ways in which the spaces are transformed and inhabited by persons who identify as queer. With that being said, any space can be transformed into a queer space so long as Queer folks experience sovereignty, power, and freedom of expression.
“...gender and sexuality have been glossed over in black studies and race and class marginalized in queer studies. Whether exploring the closet as a racially loaded metaphor, arguing for the inclusion of diaspora studies in black queer studies, considering how the black lesbian voice that was so expressive in the 1970s and 1980s is all but inaudible today, or investigating how the social sciences have solidified racial and sexual exclusionary practices, these insightful essays signal an important and necessary expansion of queer studies.” — Patrick Johnson & Mae G. Henderson on Black Queer Studies
Queer-only spaces historically developed out of a need to gather safely, a desire to be free in one’s own skin. I believe Queer-only Spaces still exist, largely or at least in part, for the same reasons that church exists.
Cohen highlights how the #intersection of queerness and #race can further cause #QPOC to feel even more marginalized. In her book, “Punks, Bulldaggers, and Welfare Queens” she asks, “how do queer activists understand and relate politically to those whose same-sex sexual identities position them within the category of queer, but who hold other identities based on class, race and/or gender categories”. Here she points out how Queer politics frequently does not include the intersecting nature of other oppressed identities within that same community. Queer politics frequently focuses on the concerns of the most privileged in that community (i.e.those persons assigned male at birth and are of European descent).
Queer Spaces and more specifically Black Queer Spaces are ones where people gather to praise and lift each other up, celebrate love, and commune with the divine. The music might be different, the attire and other superficial aspects differ, but at its core the creation and cultivation of queer-only spaces is God’s Work.
Every Yaaaaaaaas is an Amen
Every story is a testimony
Every dance is a praise
Every scar is proof that whatever tried to come against this queer body failed at breaking it down.
May every religion be lucky enough to be this #Queer
#workinprogress of #QueerReligion #workinprogress #pastel #blackwomendraw #Artist #BaltimoreArtist #blackfemaleartist #artbyrasheem #shehandsome #supportblackart #blackfemaleartist #bmorecreatives #supportblackart #visualartist #queerart #lgbtqart
