"Transsexual Lesbian Feminists Defending Lesbian Feminism"
Open Letter and Statement of Solidarity 
With the Kendall Clawson Library, Q Center, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.
After the Theft and Desecration of a Lesbian Antiwar (LABIA) Poster

Dear Sisters of the Q Center,

One of the responsibilities of women who are both Lesbian feminists and
transsexuals, and allies, is to address the problem of Lesbophobia within
the trans women's community. Above all, when we seek trans Lesbian inclusion
in Lesbian space, it is to join in affirming Lesbian and more generally
female sexuality and self-determination, not to censor or erase these
central themes of feminism which are of fundamental importance for all
women, whether Female Assigned At Birth (FAAB), transsexual, or intersex.

It is with great sadness that we recently read of how a self-identified trans
woman visiting the Kendall Clawson Library at the Q Center decided to steal
and desecrate a classic Lesbian antiwar poster with this famous motto:

Lesbians
Against
Boys
Invading
Anything

This LABIA poster contrasting the nonviolent celebration of women's bodies
and Lesbian sexuality with the militarism and violence of patriarchy
contains no element of "transmisogyny" whatsover. It speaks not only for the
large majority of Lesbians who have possessed labia throughout their lives,
but also for those of us with transsexual history who have surgically
reconstructed labia or would like to have them.

The stealing of this precious poster was first and foremost a violation of
the sisterly space and trust that the Kendall Clawson Library represents and
embodies; but also a violation of the boundaries of all feminist women, FAAB
or transsexual.

A photograph of the stolen LABIA antiwar poster evidently placed on the Web
by the person responsible for this act reveals the loving care that went
into this work of art: the design includes a female power symbol inscribed
with a peace symbol. Reports indicate that this poster had been present at
the Library since 2003, a library significantly named in honor of Kendall
Clawson, an African American and Lesbian woman who had served as Executive
Director of the Q Center, and now is serving the Governor of Oregon as
Deputy Chief of Staff for Community Engagement.


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A Call for Community Engagement and Sisterly Solidarity
-------------------------------------------------------

In the wake of this sad incident, one constructive response might be
community engagement among Lesbian and other feminists to seek restorative
justice, affirm our sisterly solidarity, and learn the right lessons for the
future.

First, if this has not already happened, let us urge the responsible person
to cooperate in a process of restorative justice by returning the poster if
possible to the Kendall Clawson Library; offering an apology; and also
offering to make some additional and apppropriate restitution for the harm
caused to the Q Center and our larger feminist community. Truth and
reconciliation are powerful. If the poster cannot be recovered, let us offer
to support the Library and Q Center in recreating it.

Second, let us reflect upon and rededicate ourselves to the long herstory of
nonviolent Lesbian and feminist resistance embodied in this poster. The
Lesbians Against Boys Invading Anything (LABIA) slogan dates back at least
to 1991, when a Usenet post attributed it to Lesbian comedian Kate Clinton;
others recall its use during protests against the U.S. invasion of Panama in
1989, or suggest that it might date back to the Viet Nam war era.

Third, let us resolve not to let this act of boundary violation and theft in
Lesbian and feminist space destroy the trust between sisters that makes our
movement possible. Holding all trans women or trans Lesbians responsible
would be a dangerous mistake, just as it would be to hold all Lesbians or
women responsible for the instances of woman-on-woman domestic violence and
sexual assault that do occur from time to time. Lesbophobia and antifeminism
in the trans community, and transphobia in the Lesbian and feminist
communities, are alike prejudices that spread division and discord among
sisters. Neither is a cure for the other.

Finally, and positively, let us resolve on mutual affirmation and support
rather than mutual erasure as the healthy and sisterly way to relate to each
other. As we are reminded by the poster, the large majority of women who
have possessed labia throughout their lives will have somewhat different
perspectives than those who have had them surgically reconstructed, or have
them as part of a subjective body image not yet realized through surgery.
All of these experiences, as influenced by many other intersections (e.g.
race, class, differences of ability, colonialism and neocolonialism), are
within the scope of Lesbian and female liberation. Affirming one experience
should never involve silencing or erasing another; rather, diversity is the
strength of our sisterhood.

We close with the hope that the LABIA poster has already been, or soon will
be, recovered and restored to its rightful place; and with the intention, if
necessary, to offer any appropriate financial or material support for the
recreation of this beautiful poster and the trust between sisters it
represents.

(Signatures)