Tucson/Phoenix LGBTQ Two-Spirit Migrant Justice People’s Movement Assembly June 15, 2010

Tucson/Phoenix LGBTQ Two-Spirit Migrant Justice People’s Movement Assembly
June 15, 2010

RESOLUTON

Current Conditions

• LGBTQ and Two-Spirit communities in Tucson, Phoenix and overall Arizona are experiencing a high level of militarization through the presences and abuse by boarder patrol, ICE, police, sheriff’s, National Guard, prison industrial complex which includes the numerous detention centers. Due to this militarization and police state terror, migrant communities live in constant fear, instability and crisis mode.

• Transgender womyn are disproportionally detained and deported as well as experience trans-misogyny. Detention centers do not respect gender identity and are in fact transphobic. all the way around for certain queer migrants there is no documentation. Whether it be citizenship or passport stating proper gender otherwise gender “does not match”. This makes the marginalization that much stronger. It creates fear and isolation w/in trans community.

• Migrant movement marginalizes queer migrants, as does the LGB movement. LGBTQ spaces in the borderlands is not inclusive of and does not provide support to migrant LGBTQ and Two-Spirit folks.

• Media is biased and racist and in fact supports the state rhetoric which says that migrants are “illegal” and criminal. They utilize the argument of the law being broken and disproportionately report favorably towards white ranchers and legislators vs. talking about the human rights violations occurring.

Current Opportunities

This moment brings opportunities to talk with our loves ones as were are being directly targeted. Building with our families about migrant justice and the crises of Capitalism. Alliance building in this moment between immigrant communities (POC & White), between Mexico & Palestine re: Boarders and black and brown communities re: criminalization will allow us to build our power. This moment also allows Queer/Trans/Two-Spirit people to represent/have-increased visibility in taking the streets and in broader coalitions. Also we know our people have always brought revolutionary/radical visions to forefront through our understanding of the conditions and liberation. There will be increased tactics, D.A. and civil disobedience. Building solidarity between Trans & Non-Trans around documentation with migrant communities is a key piece of this moment. This is a moment to bring our stories out of the shadows locally and into spaces like Puentes nation’s story of collecting project. LGBTTQ organizations like Colibri can gain a lot of local, regional and national support. In this moment building with indigenous communities re: “who will be targeted?” / colonization is key.  Students can pressure large institutions like ASU to draft anti-enforcement policies that include safe space for Queer & Trans folks.

***COMMITMENT TO ACTION SUMMARY**
Our commitments to action range anywhere from low-level participation to leading up/organizing Encuentros for action and the strengthening of REGIONAL and NATIONAL queer+migrant justice networks. We had many students present who were committed to working within their academic networks (queer and Raza) to build change and hold opposition to SB1070 and all anti-migrant attacks on our people. We collectively committed ourselves as Queers/Trans folk to showing up and holding our place as those who stand for migrant justice in each of the items expressed above.

COLIBRI STATEMENT TO USSF QUEER/TRANS PMA

As a collective of womyn/queer/trans and indigenous peoples /those of Mexican descent, COLIBRI stands against colonialism and directly connects its modern manifestation: Imperialism, to the current war on migrants in AZ. We oppose any and ALL attacks on migrants/ POC/womyn/queers/trans folks. We understand that our position and Representation as Queers/womyn/trans and two spirit folks is VITAL. As a people who experience often violent repression within a misogynist/white supremist/heterosexist society, we stand in solidarity with all oppressed peoples and fight to bring the struggles of our peoples of the shadows.  We stand in solidarity with the USSF Queer/Trans People's Movement Assembly and CALL UPON YOU to stand in solidarity with us as mujeres/jot@s/and trans folks on the frontlines of the war on migrants and all brown peoples here in Chuckson, Arizona (Tohono O'odham lands).