Fwd: [bmdc-wg] A report from last night's meeting

Subject: [bmdc-wg] A report from last night's meeting
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From: "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>
Date: Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 10:03 PM
To: BMDC Working Group <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>


Hi Folks,

The Boston May Day Coalition has been active in defense of trans rights for some time now and a while ago voted that: "Trans folks are an oppressed social layer in this oppressive imperialist nation who are fighting back through a wide social campaign demanding to be treated equally and asserting rights that should be protected by the constitution. We value the contributions of trans members both in recent times and in years past. We consider the gender identity of anyone in BMDC to be a settled question determined by the trans member who belongs to BMDC."

 At last night's meeting the Boston May Day Coalition was subjected to a hostile takeover attempt. The words "hostile takeover", usually associated with corporate takeovers, are the actual words used by the participants in the hostile action themselves.  Some participants claimed that BMDC really has no right to exist and should be shut down. With this in mind this group came to intervene in the BMDC meeting for the main purpose of expelling multiple members of the coalition.  They were informed that BMDC has a policy stating that members of the coalition could not be expelled without due process, that members have a right to be at the meeting to present their side of the story. Although 2 members were not present, the policy was ignored, and they voted as a block to expel these 2 members anyway and they indicated their intention to expel 2 more members who disagreed with the first 2 expulsions. It has been a long-standing tradition in BMDC to promote democratic discussion and debate within the coalition and allow for folks to have differing points of view. We are a coalition and not a monolithic organization and summary expulsions over political differences are not the political culture we are trying to emulate.

 The situation was chaotic to say the least and the Interim Committee which is tasked to draft a proposed agenda could not agree on an agenda. One Interim Committee member posted an agenda over the objection of another Interim Committee member. An agenda was voted on at the meeting and the rush for expulsions proceeded. Slanderous attacks against BMDC's record were raised and an attempt to answer these was shut down by a self-proclaimed "mediator". BMDC is being smeared as a transphobic organization that needs to be shut down and only a broad expulsion policy is acceptable to many in this grouping. There was a lack of civility in the discussion with expletives being put forward which run counter to the policy voted on by the coalition. Further expulsions were only avoided when one longtime member threatened to quit if there were any more expulsions. BMDC should continue its tradition of democratic and civil discussion/debate as well as reject expulsions without a fair process.

John


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From: Lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 10:16 PM
To: <queenritamonkey@gmail.com>, <porchpotscott@proton.me>, <tyler.porter992@gmail.com>




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From: Lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 10:20 PM
To: <hwallen@su.suffolk.edu>


So now John Harris considers transphobia "political differences".  

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>
Date: Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 10:03 PM
Subject: [bmdc-wg] A report from last night's meeting
To: BMDC Working Group <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>




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From: Lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 10:37 PM
To: <john.r.harris@verizon.net>


The alleged objection is a LIE !!!
Transphobia is NOT political difference!   

Every single person on the email is WITNESS to the transphobia!


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From: Lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 9:28 AM
To: krnlkin@gmail.com <krnlkin@gmail.com>




---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: "john.r.harris@verizon.net" <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>
Date: Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 10:03 PM
Subject: [bmdc-wg] A report from last night's meeting
To: BMDC Working Group <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>




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From: Padma Balasubramanian <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>
Date: Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 7:54 PM
To: BMDC Working Group <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>


Hi John
Thank you for below.
BMDC statement in support of the transgender community is very heartwarming.

Wishing BMDC all the best for its struggles to mobilize against racism,misogyny and patriarchy. Wishing BMDC all the best in its support  of LGBTQI communities. Wishing BMDC all the best for its long standing struggles against wars and its steadfast support for the working class in the U.S. and in other countries.

Best regards to all.


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From: Lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 8:28 PM
To: Padma Balasubramanian <padma_balasubramanian@yahoo.com>


The statement is nothing but performative BS.  His actions prove it.  BMDC is no ally as it allowed relentless transphobic attacks, abuse, harassment & discrimination against trans members and has not taken any responsibility or held anyone accountable. It has been ongoing for over four months, and now more people have come forward informing me that it's been an issue for years.. specifically with David Keil & John Harris


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From: Lita Xú Líng Kelley <xulingkelley@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 11:47 PM
To: <john.r.harris@verizon.net>
Cc: BMDC Working Group <bmdc@lists.riseup.net>


BMDC HAS NO PUBLISHED RULES, POLICIES, BYLAWS, ETC OF ANY KIND.. PERIOD!  There is no transparency whatsoever!

THE RELENTLESS TRANSPHOBIA WAS THE REASON FOR LAST NIGHTS ATTENDANCE. NOTHING ELSE! Stop deflecting and twisting everything to fit your fabricated narrative!

Your claims that BMDC is being smeared as transphobic are FALSE.  Everyone who read David & Jane's emails is witness to this,and that no action was taken to stop it makes you and BMDC complicit !   

Forcing your so called " democratic and civil discussion/debate" of transphobia and trans rights between a known anti trans bigot and a single trans person is ABUSE!
YOU, nor any other cisgender person have any right whatsoever to debate what is or is not transphobic.  The fact that I myself and other trans people have told you that it is transphobic makes it so.  It is not up for debate or discussion.   YOU and others harbored, protected, defended and platformed transphobic rhetoric.  You should be LISTENING, not debating it!

You're no different than racist white men who demand that black people be civil when attacked with slurs!  
You are no different than white men who claim your actions aren't racist when told so by people of color!
You have NO RIGHT TO DEBATE SUCH THINGS!  UNPACK YOUR BULLSHIT!

You FAILED in leadership and your duty to shut down and condemn the transphobic attacks!  Instead, you amplified and platformed it!  You are no ally!

BMDC is NOT AN ALLY to the trans community until it proves so with meaningful, real action that is acceptable to me and the trans community. 

David & Janes TERF ideology has no place in ANY group that considers itself leftist, progressive or socialist, etc.
and is disgusting how hard you and others stand up for him, and throw me and trans people under the bus!  That is also transphobic!

On issues of trans rights,& issues concerning trans & non binary people, LISTEN to & center the trans voices present instead of centering yourself and cishetero narratives full of implicit biases.    The implications and ramifications of this issue are very serious, even more so when it is intersectional.

I shouldn't have to be explaining this to you over and over, and worse is that David has been on an anti trans crusade for many years, allegedly decades,

Numerous members quit because of the transphobia and you are complicit in all of it!  You smear yourself !  It's all documented on your own email lists!

You and all the others who insist on protecting & defending transphobic bigots are no allies!  We don't need your meaningless, empty words.  We need accomplices willing to act and actually stand up for and defend trans people when under attack.  People like those who showed up Sunday, and you can bet your ass we'll be back ten fold!

Transphobia is not a difference of political opinion.   It is oppression!