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Art and activism mingle for queer performance night in aid of Palestine
An all-trans theatre crew are hosting a performance night in aid of Palestine as a way to “galvanise action and practice solidarity” in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The group is called House of Boussé and has named the evening event Queers for Palestine, taking place at the new venue 395, underneath Jam Jar in St Jude’s, on Thursday.
They have planned a night of poetry, drag, and lip syncs from performers found through call-outs on the group’s social media page, alongside performers from monthly drag showcase, What A Drag.
is needed now More than ever
Money raised will go towards chosen causes including the Palestine Action Legal Defence Fund.
Speaking about the aim of the event, organiser and performance artist Gender Criminal said: “House of Boussé usually works exclusively with trans, non-binary, intersex performers.
“But to achieve intersectionality between communities and solidarity, for this event we want to be connecting with as many communities as possible.”
One of House of Boussé’s resident performers, Xanthe Queen – photo: @hey.mly
A space for community to focus energy
Gender Criminal believes that activism, events and art are intermingled.
“Art is inherently political, it’s a response to the world around us,” he said. “We want to direct money and energy to our chosen causes. But we also want to create a place to unite the community.”
He added: “Queers with Palestine is taking place as a response to the pink-washing tactics which are being used by the Israeli government to justify genocide.”
Pink-washing is the strategy of promoting LGBTQ+ rights protections as evidence of democracy, sometimes as a way to distract from violence, as explained by news website The Conversation.
Galvanising feelings into action
The aim of the event is to discuss the help attendees navigate feelings of helplessness and access ways to practice solidarity through providing resources and holding a ‘solidarity workshop’.
“One of the reasons why this event is happening is to try and make space to accommodate feelings of despair,” explained Gender Criminal.
“A way you can stop the escalation of violence is to stop the escalation of apathy. That is countered with empathy which can be created through spaces of connection and honesty.”
The artist went on to say: “It’s about giving people energy, hope and guidance in how they can best direct their energies.”
The idea for a solidarity workshop, which will see discussions led by attendees split into groups brainstorming ways to show solidarity, came from Gender Criminal’s involvement in activist groups across Bristol.
Bristol-based queer morris dancing team, Molly No-Mates, are featured on the lineup – photo: Molly No-Mates
How queerness is connected
Gender Criminal argued the queer community’s history of being oppressed by mainstream society increases their empathy for persecuted groups.
“Queerness is not bound by international lines. If you are queer and living under occupation, you are a marginalised identity, and you are targeted alongside everyone else.”
He continued: “I read a few of the ‘Queering the Map’ (@queeringthemap –an Instagram account mapping LGBTQ+ experiences in relation to physical space) entries from Gaza and they are pretty much the last testimonies from people who are a part of our community. They’re members of our international family who’ve had their lives robbed from them.”
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Queerness as a solution
Gender Criminal believes that queerness can often be seen as a threat to agendas of regimes, saying “it’s not just who you love, it’s a way of thinking outside of a binary line”.
He added: “You cannot have liberation for queer people without liberation for everyone else. For queer people in Palestine, queer liberation is not possible without the liberation of Palestinian people.”
‘Queers for Palestine’ takes place on Thursday at 395. For tickets, visit Headfirst (people are encouraged to purchase tickets to raise funds, even if they can’t make the night)
Main photo: Matt Hickmott
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