Food Policy as a Queer Issue

The following is a synopsis from my contribution to the Brooklyn Food Conference 2012 talk, "The Other Rainbow on my Plate: The Queer Perspective on Food Systems Work."

Panel description: A diverse panel of LGBTQ individuals explain why food policy is a queer issue and take us on a journey through food poverty, youth services and leadership, food production and health.

Other speakers on the panel included Celine Conception, Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics; W. Brandon Lacy Campos, Queers for Economic Justice and The Fairy Chef; Kenyon Farrow, Housing Works; Jane Hodge, Just Food 

Why is food policy a queer issue?

The feminist adage: personal is political and politically I'm an ethical vegan (meaning eating no meat or dairy products including cow milk, cheese or eggs), lesbian and feminist (someone who defends equal political, economic, and social rights for women).

I hope we call all call ourselves feminists!

When I hear food policy I think: animal rights and human rights. A feminist food policy incorporates economic justice, fair labor practices, animal welfare, and an awareness of what's driving climate change, in my view.

In otherwards, it's the intersectionality of these issues informs a healthy food policy.

Is coming out as vegan really anything like coming out as gay?

Much like coming out as gay, one comes out as vegan. It's an important political act. It's a threatening act to the norm.

In the words of pattrice jones, “Homophobia is really all about controlling reproduction and enforcing heterosexuality, specifically for the purpose of controlling women's reproduction."

The role of commonality of oppressions

All forms of marginalization is part of a larger system of oppression. I don't think it's a coincidence that a number of those animal rights advocates who have most informed my education in activism regarding the undeniably inhumane factory farming industrial complex are gay including Nathan Runkle of Mercy for Animals, Jasmin and Marianne of Our Hen House and Patrick Kwan of the Humane Society of the United States.

A food system and policy that denies the welfare of animals is unable to meet the needs and well being of the marginalized individuals for whom it is meant to serve.

Sensitivity to one form of injustice awakens one to a sensitivity to other forms of oppression.

While my experiences are as a feminist, lesbian, vegan I think the same can be said of those living with disabilities or people of color can also make one sensitive to other oppressions or marginalizations.

I Wrote for PolicyMic for a Month

I spent a month writing on-call for PolicyMic. a website geared towards millenials. PolicyMic seeks to change the tone of political dialogue as their website explains:

"PolicyMic is all about the spirit of debate. We're fed up with hyper-partisanship in the media and deafening and extreme media personalities on both sides. We're giving a platform to the next generation of pundits and reporters who are ready for productive discussion and a new kind of dialogue. Success and prestige on our site won't be driven by how loudly you speak, but by how thoughtfully you participate."

During my time writing for PolicyMic I wrote about peacekeeping troops in Congo, "Why I'm Bolwing for Abortion" and "Ag-Gag" legislation among other things. I also wrote a couple pieces about the Supreme Court's consideration of gay marriage.

PolicyMic is an interesting platform to engage with both sides of the political aisle.   While I ultimately decided it wasn't for me as far as pursuing an internship, it's a great platform to get started writing online. Unlike other places you might write, PolicyMic does take the time to edit and give feedback on posts. Valuable! They are also wrangling posts from some pretty big poltical names, including  Condolezza Rice, and creating a unique space for dialogue. 

Be sure to sign up to Samantha Meir's feminist weekly e-mail. And consider writing for PolicyMic yourself! 

Guest post up at Vida Vegan Con Headquarters

I can't believe how soon I'll be in Portland, Oregon! I haven't been there for about six years. I have vivid memories from my first and only visit to Portland of the vivid, lush greenery around this time of year. And also the vegan doughnuts at the amazing Voodoo Doughnuts and amazing Powell's Books! 

It's no joke that Portland is a vegan mecca. This trip I'm going to be sure to check out the "vegan mall" and catch the Herbivore store.

I'm so pleased at the opportunity to speak this year and can't be grateful enough for a weekend full of like-minded bloggers working to create a better world for animals and enjoy some freaking amazing vegan foods. For more about the panels I'll be speaking on this year with other awesome bloggers check out my guest post "Expanding Outward: Connecting Veganism to Other Social Justice Movements" on the Vida Vegan Con website.

Be sure to follow us on twitter too via the #vegansocialjustice hashtag during the conference weekend May 24th-26th.

Why I'm Bowling for Abortion - And Need Your Donation!

This year I'm signed up to bowl with New York City's finest pro-choice people on team Strike Hyde & Bowl! The New York Abortion Access fund does amazing things to help women access the reproductive health care they need.

From their website: 

"NYAAF provides funding directly to clinics on behalf of the people we serve. When a clinic we work with sees a patient who needs assistance, NYAAF is one of the potential funding sources to which they turn. The clinic then bills us for the amount we commit to covering."

This year NYAAF is going to raise $100,000 to fund abortions in New York for those people who would otherwise not be able to access their right to an abortion without NYAAF.

I'm raising money for NYAAF because they are an all volunteer organization that supports New Yorkers and those coming to New York who are unable to pay fully for an abortion. Abortions should be a part of comprehensive healthcare but because of the Hyde Amendment, because of socio-economic injustices, because of sexism, because of ignorance, abortion is still falsely stigmatized and access is still restricted.

AND NOW FOR THE ASK: Please go to my bowling page and donate!

Or bowl with me! We are bowling Sunday April 21st at Bowlmore lanes in NYC. Pics to follow!

Media as Instrument to Fight Violence Against Women in Conflict Settings at #CSW2013

This year I only attended one panel during the Commission on the Status of Women in NYC, but it was definitely an inspiring one. For those of you who may not know as the UN Women website explains the CSW is:

"A global policy-making body, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated exclusively to the promotion of gender equality and the advancement of women. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide. Read more: About CSW, Documentation, NGO Participation" 

I attended the panel "Media as Instrument to Fight Violence Against Women in Conflict Settings" with three speakers:

• Abigail E. Disney Founder of Peace is Loud and Executive Producer of Women, War & Peace
• Mavic Cabrera Balleza Intl Coordinator of Global Network of Women Peacebuilders-International Civil Society Action Network
• Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda (moderator) General Secretary of World YWCA

I was pleased to see Mavic, whom I've worked with at GNWP, on a panel with Abigail E. Disney whose work I've admired since I saw her amazing film Pray the Devil Back to Hell. about women and the peace movement in Liberia in 2003. The most striking part of panel for me was when Disney shared a quote from someone she interviewed during her work for the PBS Women, War and Peace series (watch full episodes online):

"When you are raped in war time you become a refugee in your own body." 

It was encouraging to hear people on the panel recognize the powerful role of film and radio to share women's stories globally and create change.