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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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Palestinian, Israeli and Zimbabwean lesbians come to Seattle
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| Palestinian, Israeli and Zimbabwean lesbians come to Seattle | ||
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by Tina Gianoulis -
Special to the SGN Outside of liberal metropolitan centers like Seattle, Queers are often kept in the closet by fears of rejection and attack by family members, friends, and society in general. With Queer invisibility acting as such a strong force of oppression, one of the most radical and affirming acts that LGBT people can do is to find each other. September 18, 19, and 20, Seattle Queers and their allies will have the opportunity to create international solidarity and meet four dynamic Lesbian activists who represent the courageous members of Queer activist groups in Palestine/Israel and Zimbabwe. Fadzai Muparutsa and Mary Audry Chard of GALZ (Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe), and Rauda Morcos and Samira Saraya of the pioneering Palestinian Gay women's group?ASWAT, have joined forces for a U.S. tour to raise funds for their important work and network with members of local progressive communities. GALZ is an LGBT rights and advocacy group that has been active since 1990, working to offer support and community to isolated Queers and increase tolerance for sexual minorities within Zimbabwe's society. GALZ has been a major force in raising awareness about HIV and other LGBT issues. Fadzai Muparutsa is an energetic activist who has served on the GALZ Executive Committee since 2001. In 2003, with women representing less than two percent of GALZ's total membership, Fadzai became programme manager for gender, where she has worked to make the organization truly representative of the broader LGBT community. Mary Audry Chard has been an active member of GALZ since 1997, when the group was almost exclusively male. In 2007, she became co-chair of the board and has represented the group at the Gay Games in Amsterdam and before the Swedish parliament. ASWAT, which means "voices" in Arabic, has been a support and networking group for Arab LGBT women since 2003. The group defines its mission as "to raise our voices to echo in the corridors of our society, promote our existence to raise public awareness, and create a safe environment for Gay Arab women within our Arab and Palestinian society." Samira Saraya helped found ASWAT and serves as its general coordinator. Along with her tireless work to advance LGBT and women's rights, Samira is a poet, rapper, and drag performing artist who will showcase her work for Seattle audiences. Rauda Morcos, another co-founder, who was ASWAT's general coordinator from 2004-'07, was one of the first Palestinians to come out publicly as a Lesbian. Rauda is an international spokesperson for LGBT Arab women's issues and an old friend to Seattle audiences, having visited and spoken here in 2004. A broad coalition of Seattle activists, the Seattle ASWAT/GALZ tour host committee, has planned a number of events offering the opportunity to meet Fadzai, Audry, Samira, and Rauda and learn about their courageous work, the challenges they face, and the ways in which progressive Queers can transcend borders and nationalities to build community. On Thursday, September 18, from 6-8 p.m., Seattle University's School of Law International Programs, Outlaws, and Human Rights Network will sponsor a presentation and reception at the SU School of Law, Room C-1, 901 12th Avenue (at Columbia). On Friday, September 19, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Sistah2Sistah hosts a dinner and presentation at People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN), 1609 19th Avenue (1 block south of Madison). On Saturday, September 20, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., the American Friends Service Committee and Seattle ASWAT/GALZ tour host committee present a reception with refreshments, presentation, and discussion at the University Friends Center, 4001 9th Ave., NE. The purpose of the ASWAT/GALZ tour is to create mutual international support and to raise funds for ASWAT and GALZ to continue their courageous and groundbreaking work. Requested donation for the Friday and Saturday events is $5-25. More if you can. No one turned away for lack of funds. For more information, or if you cannot attend an event, but would like to donate to ASWAT and GALZ, please contact the Seattle ASWAT/GALZ Tour Host Committee at aswatgalz@earthlink.net or call 206-722-0729. Bus information for events available at http://transit.metrokc.gov or 206-553-3000. For more information, visit websites for ASWAT and GALZ: aswatgroup.org/English/ and galz.co.zw/ The event will be ASL interpreted. |
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