2SLGBTQ+ Exclusive Spaces: Is This Really Necessary?
Mela Swayze (they/them) is a queer educator and sexuality coach. Born and raised in Hamilton, they work with organizations and agencies across the city to foster equitable + accessible spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
This month, GOODBODYFEEL will be relaunching our movement classes created by and for folks from the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Our intention here is to carve our space to move together in solidarity and safety (virtually for now), as well as fostering community and social connections for queer, trans, Two-Spirit and gender diverse folks.While many celebrate the offering of exclusive spaces for our community (or any marginalized community), others will invariably raise eyebrows or get their backs up. Whether it’s a hater, a privileged queer, or a straight ally, I promise you someone is asking: is this really necessary?
Short answer: Hell yes.
The long answer is more complex, but worth diving into.
Despite having increased visibility and legal protections in Canada with regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, lived experiences of systemic oppression are still a reality for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Many queer, trans, Two-Spirit and gender diverse folks continue to face barriers to employment, housing, social services, healthcare, and citizenship. On top of that, experiences of interpersonal discrimination and violence create collective trauma within the community. Within this current reality, offering exclusive, safe spaces is one way of fostering solace and resilience for queer and trans folks.
This is even more true in Hamilton. Over the last decade or so, this city has lost our LGBTQ social service hub (The Well) as well as three queer bars. If anyone was counting, that amounts to losing all of the exclusive spaces the queer community ever had. While some argue that this has prompted a wider and more diversified offering of services to 2SLGBTQ+ Hamiltonians, others mourn the loss of exclusive physical spaces that provided a sense of safety to some.
A recent survey of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals living in Hamilton found that most community members had personally experienced discrimination, violence or hate crimes. Unsurprisingly, almost all trans and gender diverse folks reported feeling unsafe in Hamilton, especially in public spaces. Violent attacks on Pride in 2019 further shook the community and have added additional layers of fear, uncertainty and a lack of safety.
Experiences of trauma and fear are rampant in our community. We need a space to feel safe, to regroup, to connect and build resilience. Since movement and fitness spaces tend to be dominated by straight and cisgender folks, it is especially necessary to carve out exclusive spaces to move and connect with our bodies in ways that feel safe and affirming to us.
Starting this month, we will be relaunching our exclusive movement offering for the 2SLGBTQ2S+ community. This class, now called QTNB MOVES, will include a movement component and a social connection opportunity, all facilitated by our queer, trans, non-binary, and/or BIPOC instructors. Come join us this August 7th at 7-8:30pm for our first revamped offering, led by Clairandean Humphrey and Sarah Barnhart.
Yes, this is really necessary. Spread the good word!