Complicated feelings ahead: Last month my Facebook timeline was full of pictures of bellydancers performing at Pride, all decked out in rainbow gear and using rainbow marketing. Most of these dancers were straight, to the best of my knowledge, and that’s fine. One, I believe in allyship, and two, no one is required to give me the details of their sexual identity to perform at an event.
However, this week I am seeing some of those very same dancers stand up for people who are devoted to the complete eradication of queer rights. Which makes these dancers in all their glorious rainbow attire the worst and most dangerous kind of hypocrites.
Queer spaces do not exist for your ego, to offer you another chance to flounce around in your pretty outfit. You have no right to take up space as a guest in someone’s community while simultaneously voting for people who want them not to exist.
So here’s what’s up. I am keeping track, and I am saving screenshots. If I see any of you bigots advertising your performances at Pride next year, anywhere in the country, I’m contacting the organizers and letting them know what your true politics are. In fact, any time I see you performing anywhere, I’m going to make sure everybody knows what you’re all about it.
Unless you love and support and are going to the mat for queer people, stay out of queer spaces. You can do your rainbow fan veil someplace else.
As Detox would say, “I’ve had it. Officially.”
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