Sexual Revolution in Beograd
Q & A - 22.08.2007 10:54
Welcome to the Sexual Revolution!
On the anniversary of the Serbian 'revolution' we hold our fourth
QueerBeograd festival:our very own 'Sexual Revolution'.On October 5,
6,7th we gather for three days of queer politics, performances, parties,
actions, picnicking and visibility. To see each other and celebrate our
own sexy resistance, to energise ourselves and hear each other's stories
of the revolution we all make everyday.
In October 2000 Serbia saw the end of the Milosevic regime, people
took to the streets, parliament burned, Milosevic was kicked out, ...it
was the beginning of a new time of change, of hope. No more war, no more
crazy nationalism, no more isolation; time to reconnect to the world, or
so we thought.
Now in the late 2000's we look about us, what has changed? A great deal!
We are a country in transition from "communism" to capitalism, we are
called to join NATO, potential entry to the EU is joined with promises
of human rights; the sweetener to make the opening of our country as a
new market less bitter (not that we expect to get into the EU anytime
soon!) These changes are not what we would have hoped for.
In the west, in the 60' and 70's America was the focus a sexual
revolution, women's liberation, feminism, free love... a society breaking
out from the narrow conformity of a different post war generation. Gay
liberation, Stonewall, black power, the women's movement, the anti war
movement! People power!
And yet has patriarchy disappeared? Have sexism and homophobia ceased to
exist? Are nationalism and war only crazy memories? Is racism something
people look back on unable to imagine? We know for sure these things are
still with us.
Somehow so much has changed; the currency of these ideas in society is
the evidence. But something else that exists is the idea that its all
over...that everyone will be equal under capitalism.
Trying to make sense of our merging stories we find ourselves talking
across divides, of gender, of sexuality, of class, of race, of east and
west: Trying to make sense of concepts and ideas transported from one
place to another. Our stories are interwoven, now more than ever, but
for many of us geographically, physically, mentally, in the realm of
day-to-day living the divide are still there.
In the topics we present for discussion this year we seek to address
this divide at another level. The topics: trans issues and sex work have
enjoyed a recent popularity, but none of these debates has placed the
topics within the context of a global movement.... of labour, of capital
and the struggle across divides, of a world which sees borders rather
than people.
Too many times we've been told that our wants, needs and desires can
wait, that there are more urgent matters to attend to, that our
struggles are not part of the main event. Enough! We say it again....the
personal is political...all politics, all living is interconnected. Queer
Beograd stand against homophobia, sexism, racism, nationalism and
militarism. Time for a new sexual revolution.
Bring your stories, your hopes, your dreams, your desires, and your
beautiful selves. Let's see what is possible. Join us for this very sexy
revolution.... Because we want a great deal! So, out of our closets and
onto the streets. Let's make it happen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program and logistical info coming soon! please look for it at
 http://www.queerbeograd.org and forward this call around:) thanks!
 Website: http://www.queerbeograd.org
|
