Audio from the session: Naming - who are we?
Names such as lesbian, gay, queer, takataapui, and fa'afafine work to both include, and exclude, people from communities. A facilitated discussion on the politics of naming.
Summary
The abstract captures the essence of a discussion held at the "Beyond Conference" in Wellington on the topic of "Naming - who are we?" This event involved speakers Cara Gledhill and Sandra Dickson, among others, and took place at Wellington High School on October 12, 2013. The session centered around the powerful politics of naming, particularly regarding sexual and gender identities, and how this intersects with power dynamics, inclusion, exclusion, and colonisation.
Sandra Dickson opened the dialogue by deliberating on the fundamental importance of naming, expressing that naming is inherently political and linked to power. Dickson underscored the colonial history of renaming places and peoples as a way of exerting control, implying the imperative to acknowledge this history in any contemporary discussion on naming, especially within the queer community. This backdrop laid the foundation for exploring how naming plays a role in contemporary issues, such as the evolution of terms used to describe sexuality and gender diversity – highlighting that even queer events like the Gay and Lesbian Fair in Wellington, which eventually became "Out in the Square," went through a protracted process of change to ensure inclusivity.
The conversation extended into an analysis of different identifiers such as queer, which is a term with a contentious history where some remember it as a hateful slur, whereas others see it as an inclusive term. The struggle for all community groups to find acceptance within both the larger society and within their own circles was palpable throughout the discussion.
Echoing similar sentiments to Dickson, Cara Gledhill also talked about their experiences and observations regarding identity and naming conventions. Gledhill commented on the fluidity of personal identification, noting the harmful expectations and stereotypes often associated with naming and how identifying oneself or others can bear deep implications. Their speech highlighted the complexities of feminism, pointing out the movement's historical exclusion of various marginalized groups, and discussed the contemporary challenges that come with inclusivity in feminist spaces.
Furthermore, a narrative was shared about a "women-only" conference that raised significant concerns. The conference exemplified exclusivity, revealing the tension between historical feminist movements and the need for present-day inclusivity that genuinely acknowledges and accommodates diverse gender identities and backgrounds.
The session also discussed the nuances of naming within professional contexts, such as education, and the importance of respecting individuals' preferred names and pronouns. The concept of identity through naming within various communities, including the Maori perspective, was also touched upon.
Throughout the discussion, panelists and participants underscored the importance of building an inclusive community that appreciates the history behind naming while also pushing for a more accepting and encompassing future. The continuous redefining of boundaries, ongoing debates, and conversations were emphasized as pivotal to understanding and respecting each individual's chosen identity.
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Voices
Tags
2010s, angela davis, aotearoa new zealand, bea arthur, bette armstrong, beyond conference (2013), big gay out (auckland), bisexual, cara gledhill, colonisation, coming out, dale spender, diversity, exclusion, facebook.com, feminism, feminist futures: transforming the 21st century (2013), gender identity, germaine greer, hekia parata, herstory, history, identity, indigenous peoples, internet, intersectionality, jo wrigley, labels, language, lesbian, lesbian and gay fair, marriage, marriage equality, merv ransom, māori, naming, out in the square (wellington), pakeha, privilege, queer, quilted bananas (wellington access radio), sandra dickson, sexuality, sheila jeffreys, slutwalk aotearoa, social media, tangata whenua, the queer avengers (wellington), transexual, transgender, waikato queer youth, wellington, wellington high school, women's studies association of aotearoa new zealand (wsa), youth
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