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The Broken Rifle Newsletter: Queers and Anti-Militarism

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The Broken Rifle Newsletter: Queers and Anti-Militarism No 93, August 2012 Editorial Queer and antimilitarism is the theme of this Broken Rifle, and Queer & antimilitarism we hope this will create some debate within WRI and beyond. Most articles have been written especially for this issue, with the exception of Tamara K Nopper's article on Don't Ask Don't Tell, which we republish from Against Equality: Don't Ask to Fight Their Wars. Don't Ask Don't Tell was finally repealed in December 2010, but this does not make her arguments less important. Alvine Anderson presents eight arguments why antimilitarism needs queer ­ queer people and a queer analysis. Miles Tanhira follows from this arguing that war resistance needs to be an integral part of a queer struggle, and the recent events in Zim­ babwe show how threatened queer people and organisations are in an escalated conflict. Pelao Carvallo uses the lan­ guage and analysis of queer to look at the situation in Paraguay Gay Pride march in London, July 2005 after the ousting of President Photo by rsambrook Fernando Lugo during a parlia­ mentary coup in June. Yu Min­ Seok describes the problems queers and conscientious objec­ Eight reasons why antimilitarism tor face in South Korea, and links both to masculinity. And Tomato explores the discrimi­ needs queer nation she as a lesbian faced in Militarism is not just a war, an army or a worth defending. Queer analysis that the struggle against a new naval fighter jet. Militarism is a system, a logic foregrounds, cultivates and nurtures base on Jeju island. Finally, Ali and a set of norms that perpetuates and difference is a challenge to the existence of Erol describes the difficult 1recreates our societies and our daily lives. this homogenous "we", and thus to the logic choices gays face in Turkey Queer analysis of power is a political tool that behind the existence of the military. when they are confronted with can help us to challenge these norms. Queer compulsory military service. liberation isn't about equality within a There's a long­standing opposition to These articles show that there is patriarchal and militarist system, it is about the military from queer communities a range of queer perspectives going beyond the politics of inclusion and and other marginalised groups. These when it comes to militarism or creating future just societies that do not 4groups have since long realised that the military service, and there is not merely recreate systems of power under military is not acting in their interests. Now always an easy answer. But they different names. other parts of the antimilitarist movement also show how important and need to recognise this tremendous beneficial it might be for antimili­ Militarism perpetuates rigid gender antimilitarist activism and join with all groups tarists to take on a queer pers­ norms, and is rooted in heterosexist struggling for peace and justice. pective when analysing milita­ ideas of gender that define masculinity rism. As Alvine Anderson writes: 2as physically powerful and aggressive and Movements where queer and "Actively working to make our feminity as meek and passive. Queer and transgendered people ­ or any other movements inclusive does not transgender people, and queer analysis and group ­ feel excluded, not listened to just make us a larger movement, activism, challenge the legitimacy of these 5and not taken seriously, of course fail it makes room for more perspec­ norms, and thus challenge the basis and drastically in accountability. Actively working tives and experiences and ideas of militarism. to make our movements inclusive does not makes us more creative and just make us a larger movement, it makes effective in our work against Militarism depends upon and recreates room for more perspectives and experiences militarism." a racist and hierarchical world order that and makes us more creative and effective in Andreas Speck tells us whose life is worth defending our work against militarism. 3and whose is not. The image of "the other" Thanks also to Mr. Fish and needs to exist as well as a united "we" (white, Against Equality for lots of the heterosexual, ablebodied, man.) whose life is images. continued on page 2 Queer and antimilitarism Why resistance to war is a central and important part of a queer struggle Steve Biko, an anti­apartheid activist, gender lines, the weakest link, in this case a spate of activity in the Global Culture once said the oppressed aspire to be the LGBTI people, bear the brunt of war. The wars being influenced by some American oppressor. This is true when it comes to media, especially the state­owned, is at conservatives pushing an anti­ the effects of war on minorities such as the forefront of churning out homophobic homosexuality agenda in churches, LGBTI people. In most African countries rhetoric and sensationalising stories Zimbabwe has not been spared. Some for instance, the issue of homosexuality involving LGBTI people. Most of the religious fundamentalists who were has been used by power hungry reports are meant to incite hatred and advocating the death penalty for politicians to hoodwink people into violence. homosexuals in Uganda have also been believing that homosexuality is the cause to Zimbabwean churches preaching the of their misery. Hate speech against LGBTI people gospel of hate. fuels the flame of homophobia, making For example in Zimbabwe, whenever them a target of frustrated people who Not to be outdone, traditional leaders the chips are down for politicians they find feel they have carte blanche to harm also deride homosexuality as a western a social issue that is highly emotive and minorities. In such a scenario there is no disease and un­African. This homophobia try to use it to prosecute their private redress even if LGBTI people were to – deeply ingrained in cultural practices – wars, that’s why people are not interested report cases to the police. leads to family and urban violence against in understanding LGBT people, they are LGBTI people and their allies. interested in the existence of the issue War leads to oppression and injustices and meting out instant justice. Politicians being perpetrated against people. All Zimbabwe has been described by feel the urge to keep society at an forms of war contribute to human rights many as a military state: the heavy emotional level so that whenever things abuses and the curtailing of constitutional presence of gun­wielding police officers are not going right for them or their liberties such as freedom of association and soldiers on street corners, coupled political parties they invoke the issue of and freedom of expression. During war with the recruiting of youths into national homosexuality, because people share the situations people find it difficult to get youths service camps, bears clear same hatred and fears as them. access to basic rights like food, water and testimony to this. Most of the youths who health. State­instigated homophobia fuels undergo the military training are Politicians and some religious leaders wider homophobia and has negative appendages of the ruling party and are to so many times, making LGBTI people a when the abusers experience a decrease in pick on an issue that brings numerical effects on the lives and living conditions of trained to unleash terror on anyone with target for hate and violence. power in other aspects of their lives. Access to advantage, meanwhile the minority of LGBTI people. When it comes to dissenting opinions. Being given credit for small arms, military training, or exposure to homosexual people become a perfect accessing health services for instance, “work” carried out gives them carte War and militarism reinforce gender norms intense violence and trauma in conflict field for those prosecuting personal wars. they are driven underground and most die blanche to attack LGBTI people as an act and roles, and punish those who go beyond situations, may exacerbate intimate partner So by bringing in an issue that many in silence because of a system which of patriotism. The ruling party ideology these, hence LGBTI people are ostracised and violence, with impunity for military personnel in people do not fully understand, and criminalises their conduct. blames the opposition for inviting targeted under attack. This is evidenced in the cases of violence against women, violations blocking any avenues for people to sanctions on the country, hence bringing militarisation of sport, resulting in adverse committed by peace­keeping forces, and access information, these politicians hope Fundamentalism gains momentum in about suffering. This has managed to effects on some LGBTI people who are into violence and abuse of women living and to get people to rally to them. war situations as people become guarded invoke anger in may people who view the such disciplines. Young people are lured into working around military bases. Militarised over the things that they believe in; any opposition as the source of their misery joining sporting teams, which are supported by governments may also use force against their There is no doubt that war breeds diversity is treated with suspicion and is and, because they are funded by the the army, and once they join they automatically own civilians, suspend the rule of law in an untold misery for those who are in oppressed. Those people with dissenting west, they are also seen as sympathetic have to be involved in the military forces. This “emergency” period, or use “anti­terrorism” positions of less power, as the power voices become a target. This affects to the LGBTI agenda. This link between is particularly true for young women into laws to suppress pro­democracy movements or dynamics come into play. When people activists who try to do their work in such a the sanctions, the opposition and soccer.
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