Queer & Trans

UDPATE: account from anarchoqueer reposted below.

Hundreds of people from across the Midwest and beyond attended the Bash Back! Convergence in Chicago May 28-31. Although reactions to the convergence vary greatly, agreement can be reached on one thing: Saturday night ended in what can only be characterized as an anti-queer police riot. After exiting a dance party at the Belmont el station, the crowd of over 100 soon came under attack from charging police cruisers. No dispersal order was given, but officers soon charged the crowd with batons and fists flailing. When it was over, four people were arrested and several hospitalized. With an international reputation of homophobia and brutality directed at queer and transfolk, the Chicago Police Department may be now be looking at yet another civil suit in the near future.

TCIMC is looking for more accounts from the convergence in Chicago. If you have something to share, please publish it (and we'll post a link here), or contact us. Thanks!

Read Below: Two accounts from Chicago Indymedia, Article from the Windy City Times, and more...

On June 28^th 2008, neo-Nazi groups aggressively attacked the first LGBTQ Pride march in Sofia, Bulgaria.

UPDATE #3: 2nd Statement from Bash Back! News: "The ADF decided to sue Bash Back!, Bash Back! Lansing and individuals because the authorities would not file a single criminal complaint regarding an action at the Mount Hope Church in Lansing last fall. ... [We] will be setting up an account to raise funds in the near future. Lets fill our pocket books and resist this suit."

UPDATE #2: Statement from Bash Back! News

UPDATE #1:  The subpoenas are in relation to a lawsuit filed by the right-wing Alliance Defense Fund.  The Christian ADF, which filed the suit on behalf of Mount Hope church in Lansing, also is encouraging criminal charges.  Numerous unnamed individuals in the suit may be sought in relation to the Mount Hope action or other church actions.

The press-release from ADF, which you can read here, describes the Bash Back! News website - also targeted by the subpoena - as featuring "terrorist-like garb."  Read more about the history of ADF here.

View a PDF of the complaint filed in U.S. District Court here.  The document fails to respect the gender identities, preferred pronouns or chosen names of those subpoenaed/allegedly involved in the activities in question - a perfect example of why direct actions like the one at Mount Hope church are taken by Bash Back! and others.  (The complaint is also linked on the ADF website.)

* * * *

Authorities have attempted to deliver subpoenas to at least three midwestern activists as of early Wednesday afternoon in relation to a Bash Back! action at an anti-queer megachurch in Lansing in November of 2008.  Activists disrupted the church service by demonstrating both outside and inside the building. The related complaint lists 14 names, Bash Back! and Bash Back! Lansing, and "John Does 1-20."

Prevailing advice early this afternoon is to reject delivery of the subpoenas if one comes to your door.

Announcing BAMF! Productionz

Just testing the uploads & tags too... sorry for the mess.

The option of smilies has arrived. 

Amazing.

RNC8 trading cards - collect them all!