Celebrating Intersectionality, continued
Part II “Celebrating Intersectionality: Understanding race and multiple forms of discrimination with the DDPA” moderated by Akim Adé Larcher (of EGALE Canada, International Gay and Lesbian Association—Toronto/St. Lucia) Panelists: Amaranta Gomez (Colectivo Binni Laanu-Mexico), Lindiwe Nkutha (Coalition of African Lesbians-South Africa) and Marianela Carbajal Diaz (FOMUDE-Republica Dominica)
Marianella Carbajal Diaz then spoke: “We have to have the discussions on what ‘human’ means and what ‘rights’ mean. Many movements create their own limits. When we talk about race we mean physical features, color of skin, hair, shape of our hips. Racism is defined as “one group being superior to another.”
We use race to exclude and separate people, for example in colonialism. Racism is an ideology that has guided many political movements despite the fact that it is being said that race isn’t a scientific fact but based on arbitrary values. This type of separation is also being taken up in terms of gender with certain features creating hierarchy of unequal distribution of power.
Cultural racism covers a specific territory. There is this new idea involving the invasion of immigrants and certain people considering this to be a problem. African influence in the Dominican Republic resulted in building of identity based on mix of various native and African groups. Slaves in 16th century resulted in ethnic and cultural mix that created classes when the Spanish came in to colonize. Then as the Haitian groups came we started to idealize the Spanish Identity.
Historic and ideological reality in the country has led a movement of African descendents to emerge. In Durban, we discussed immigration of Haitian to the Dominican Republic but we didn’t discuss the lesbian and gay community because there is no recognition because we are totally invisible, yet I have problems with customs officials with my own partner.
The State is monopolizing the discussion and deciding on what we should discuss and it’s clear in this conference. In talking about afro-descendents, we are not only aware of being African, but also aware of belonging to group of gays and lesbians, beyond race. Youth may assume their African descent identity, but may not assume LGBT identity. The African movement in the DR that is discussing human rights is attempting to discuss ethnic groups but not all of mankind, not LGBT, and does not recognize them as individuals. When we talk about human rights, it is only mankind and slavery but it does not bear in mind that gender is part of this.
Feminists have focused on improving women’s positions regarding reproductive rights, legal rights, etc. and have had a great impact and made important changes in the position of women. Feminism demands equality in relation to the state and in relation to men. Heterosexuality is considered to be obligatory. In the DR we have tried to mobilize groups in terms of gender identity and join to feminist movement, but discussion is always based on the binary discussion of men and women. When we talk about gender that is different from the two that have been adopted by society this leads to violence. We are trying to include this idea of gender violence as something the state should take up.
There has been no participation by LGBT in political movements and now we have to join up and unite our efforts. Barriers that certain black communities have are not included. Different groups must be able to defend their interests. The LGBT movement is seeking recognition. When Hegel is quoted she says that we have to be recognizable and this must be included in our human condition. This is an ideological tool that must be used in the context of human rights for the LGBT movement.
Deaths caused by gender and identity based violence must be discussed. The Movement requires changes in definition of sexual gender and we have to negotiate for different sexual norms in order to exist as a movement. We have recognized sexual and reproductive rights but we are also looking for recognition as individuals outside of definitions given by feminist movement. We must strive to have Durban talk about our sense of identity and how the idea of sexual identity must change and must not only be considered in terms of human rights, but also individual and personal identities.
The moderator, Akim, concluded the panel by noting that “the fact that we are sitting here as a panel of racialized queers is a step forward.”
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