TLDR version: A drag performance at the June 16 Pride Resource Fair put on by teen organizers of One Step A La Vez surprised some people who apparently don’t go to PRIDE events very often. Not understanding the history or the art behind the performance, they made mean anti-drag remarks at public meetings on July 11 and July 18, and apparently, look forward to fear-mongering again in front of the school board on Aug. 15 (Tuesday).
Their postcard to alert their peeps to their “rally” is hard to read, so we copied it for you below in little blue boxes and took the liberty of annotating it. Join in and stand up for some of the most beautiful people on the planet! The meeting is at 6:30 at the 627 Sespe Avenue, Auditorium, Fillmore. Agenda is here. Also, you can email comments to your school board members.
The postcard mailer…
“On June 16th of this year, Fillmore’s non-profit youth center One Step A La Vez hosted a “youth friendly” Drag Queen performance. A 6-foot, 200+ pound man in full drag wore a hot pink bathing suit and high heels, and danced for children ages 8-18.”
Let’s break this down…
- What is One Step A La Vez? One Step A La Vez is an amazing organization committed to “providing a safe environment for 13-19 year olds and preparing informed, empowered youth who are equipped with the tools to lead; cultivate cultural awareness; bridge the gaps of inequality; and advocate for fair, just and healthy individuals and community.” Read the testimonials from the kids yourself. You know they’ve saved lives with the love and support they give. Other communities should be so lucky.
- What do the quotation marks around”youth friendly” imply? Most of us played “dress-up” as a kid, but drag is so much more. Maybe it would help if kids who do drag explain it…
- 6-foot, 200+ pound man in full drag: Are we size or weight-shaming this performer? And is there such a thing as partial-drag? Half-drag? This was a PRIDE event, for goodness sakes. When you go to a Halloween costume party, does your vampire kit have just one fang? Does your fairy godmother have just one wing? We have questions!
- hot pink bathing suit and high heels: Is it the color? Give it up – Barbie is so “in” right now. Is it showing up in a leotard and high heels. That’s as American as the 1953 Miss America pageant!
- …danced for children ages 8-18. We believe this question was adequately addressed in the movie “Footloose,” starring Kevin Bacon. However, we appreciate that a local pastor gave John Lithgow’s character a run for his money with a short lecture on immorality and boundaries.
“This event was promoted by the Fillmore Unified School District, in violation of their own Board Policy 1325.”
Board Policy 1325: That sounds ominous! Here are the parts we think they might be referring to...
Criteria for Approval
1. Are lewd, obscene, libelous or slanderous
OBSCENITY – We know it WHEN we see it! Annette Kellerman, who won a swimsuit contest in 1920, had been arrested for wearing a similar outfit in 1908. Speaking of lewd and obscene, men were not allowed to be topless in public up until the late 1930’s. And now, there is alarming news that speedos are back!
Is the issue that it’s inherently obscene for men and women to switch up clothing? The American film industry begs to differ, along with many former students (Hi, Nate Schatzline (TX) and TN Gov. Bill Lee!), who dressed in drag. And George Santos! Oh, and America’s mayor, Rudy Guiliani.
5. Position the district on any side of a controversial issue
This prohibition is too vague to be useful. Native genocide, slavery and the Jim Crow era are all apparently “controversial” issues, with suppressive laws being passed in numerous states to prevent school-age children from learning their own history. Many adults are familiar with the Holocaust’s cautionary legacy of”Never Forget” – but don’t recognize one of its opening salvos repeating itself when they see it on the news – neo-Nazi terrorism and violence directed against our LBGTQ communities. Teen Vogue has an amazing article on the destruction of 1930’s Germany’s then-thriving drag scene and transgender community and the burning of a vast library of gender research that began in 1919.
The Superintendent or designee also may consider the educational value of the materials or advertisements, the age or maturity of pupils in the intended audience, and whether the materials or advertisements support the basic educational mission of the district, directly benefit the pupils or are of intrinsic value to the pupils or their parents/guardians.
We believe that the school administration would agree with this:
(theconversation) “Contrary to misconceptions, exposing children to diverse gender identities and expressions supports their natural development. Further, it fosters inclusive and accepting communities and school environments, which is fundamental for developing well-adjusted adults.
...Introducing children to diverse gender expressions does not encourage gender dysphoria or confusion. On the contrary, diverse experiences throughout life have been shown to foster self and collective understandings of gender and gender differences. Furthermore, it’s important for a child’s development that parents, schools and communities support children in their exploration and expression of gender identity in a safe and affirming environment.
“Fillmore is a small, beautiful, family-oriented town. We have good values and common sense. The drag show is part of an agenda that specifically targets our children.”
“common sense“: This is a dogwhistle for those who believe that there are only men and women. Scientific American points out that this binary assumption is overly simplistic. Seriously, even mice are more complicated than that. Get on the info bus.
“targets our children:” Yes, It is targeting them with messages of love and acceptance of others. To love to dance and to read. Also, how to use glitter! “[Drag queens] are incredibly talented, and they are trying to live their lives, and in the process, brighten the lives of those around them. That’s the message parents should be communicating to their kids, at any age. It’s all about acceptance and being loved for who you are.”
“One Step A La Vez’ website aims at “dismantling heteronormativity and combatting transphobia.’ It is our duty as adults and as citizens of this wonderful town to speak for our children when they do not have the voices and influence to do so. Innocence is a vital part of childhood and must be protected.”
“dismantling heteronormativity and combatting transphobia.:Another point of pearl clutching, so here are the actual definitions:
- “heteronormativity: Read about this here. Use the real definition, not something you’ve heard on FOX.
- “combatting transphobia”: Who is FOR transphobia?
- Can kids be innocent and curious at the same time? YES!
- Can drag performers bring kids joy?: “Children are very smart. They know right away I’m a man in a dress with makeup and wig. But what they learn from that is that: “Oh, this is make believe, this is play. We get to be characters and be magic...I was performing on stage as Elsa from Frozen. This little girl came up to me afterward like, “I didn’t know I was going to Disney today!” Disney, the Power Rangers, the clown that comes to your kid’s birthday party in the backyard — it’s kind of all the same thing. All those people are in the performing arts world and are showing up to provide and share in joy with kids.“
“Please contact the Fillmore School Board and share your thoughts. See the date below to attend the School Board meeting in person (Aug. 15th, 6:30 pm).”
Yes. Do this. Listen to this great conversation below and stand up for the performers, the kids, and One Step A La Vez!
Act now: Call/email your legislator to support the Transgender Bill of Rights
Trans rights are human rights, and we need more Congressional voices showing strong support for transgender people — especially amid increasing attacks.
Minimal email/call script for representatives: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Rep./Sen. [___] to support the resolution [Rep. = H.Res.269/Sen. = S.Res.144] to provide basic provide protections for transgender and nonbinary people.
Cosponsors:
- H.Res.269 – Carbajal is signed on, Brownley isn’t.
- S.Res.144 – Neither Feinstein or Carbajal are signed on.
Contacts
More information
(markey.senate.gov.)H.Res.269/S.Res.144 – Since January, state and federal legislators have proposed more than 450 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that restrict health care, ban LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula in schools, exclude trans youth from athletics, and otherwise endanger and harm trans people. These bills are negatively affecting the mental health and physical safety of LGBTQ+ youth, particularly trans youth who have been the primary target of these attacks. In the United States, trans people are four times more likely to face violent attacks than their cisgender peers and more than 40 percent of trans people have attempted to commit suicide.
Specifically, the Transgender Bill of Rights calls on the federal government to provide protections for transgender and nonbinary people by:
- Ensuring that transgender and nonbinary people have equal access to services and public accommodations by amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include gender identity and amending Title IX to clarify that it protects students from discrimination based on gender identity and sex characteristics.
- Recognizing the right to bodily autonomy and ethical healthcare by expanding access to gender-affirming medical care, codifying the right to abortion and contraception, protecting transgender people from discrimination in healthcare, and banning forced surgery on intersex children and infants in violation of ethical standards of care.
- Promoting the safety of trans and nonbinary people by investing in community services to prevent violence against trans and nonbinary people and expand services for survivors, investing in mental health services designed for transgender and nonbinary people, and banning “conversion therapy” practices.
- Enforcing the civil rights of transgender people by requiring the Attorney General to designate a liaison within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice dedicated to advising and overseeing enforcement of the civil rights of transgender people.
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 