More on the First Event boycott
Heather did some more investigation into the First Event Trans Conference boycott, and we turned up this: change.org/p/boycott-trans-com…
I can see why TCNE said these demands would cost $50k they didn't have. The top demand is to engage a BIPOC consulting firm to conduct diversity training.
They don't like the makeup of the board. It demands that a "fair and agreed-upon stipend" be made available to board members in order to enable a more diverse board. Read this as: The board is 8 people, probably all trans women, probably all on the older side. They are on the board because they volunteered to do it. Nobody in more diverse groups are volunteering, so they'll have to be paid to join.
"Allocate funding and resources to support workshops, performances, and events featuring diverse facilitators and artists, ensuring equitable compensation." Programming is provided by volunteers, and the programming is determined entirely by what community members volunteer to do. So, the demand is that people be paid to produce the programming the boycotters like better.
This is all about money. Lots and lots of it. It's a contrived conflict built around unmeetable demands so the organizer could look self-righteous and powerful.
This Chastity Bowick punched down a major trans power community in New England for a publicity stunt.
Fuck her.
ETA: They do have a video telling "their story" around this boycott. I hate watching videos. If somebody wants to watch it and tell me if it makes anymore sense than the stuff they put in text, please feel free to let me know.
ETA2: Oh, and it looks like Chastity Bowick runs a BIPOC consulting firm. I wonder why hiring one was the first demand. Gee..
Daniel Lowe likes this.