Edited to add a notice!: Helpful tips from today's discussion will be collected, de-identified, and posted on the blog and the Facebook group. Anyone has the option for their personal contribution to not be posted, at their discretion.
Holidays are times when some of us have to interact with blood relatives who are less than supportive and sometimes flat out hostile. It's often a mix between affirming some parts of your identity while denying others, and the nuances make things complicated. Some of us live with or near them and have to navigate those relationships all year long, and some of us do not have relationships with them at all. Some questions to consider answers to for tonight's topic:
- How and when, if at all, do you talk to someone you love if they say something that hurts you?
- How and when, if at all, do you talk to someone you depend on emotionally, logistically, or financially if they say something that hurts you?
- What does confrontation look like for you?
- What are some of the things that help you feel grounded during the holidays?
- What alternatives have you found for when being around blood relatives isn't a financial or emotional option?
- How do you take care of yourself after being in an emotionally escalated situation?
The Southern Poverty Law Center posted a guide to addressing possible scenarios called Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry that I feel has some good scripts to start from. There are also more specific resources and events in Chicago for talking to families with specific religious and/or cultural backgrounds.
The silly question is: What's the last thing you really looked forward to?
Next week's topic will be an open topic. In addition, there will be a small gathering at a private residence on the 24th for those of us who have been to a GQC meeting before and want somewhere to be on that day. Location is to be announced, we're still working out the accessibility of different options. For details, accessibility needs, dietary restrictions, and other questions, feel free to email us at genderqueerchicago@gmail.com or talk to a moderator at a meeting.
Wednesday, November 16th, 7:00pm to 8:15pm
Center on Halsted, 2nd Floor (Room 202)
3656 N. Halsted St.
Genderqueer Chicago is as safe a space as we can make it. To help with this, we have some working agreements that we would like all who come to meetings to keep in mind while within our safe space meetings. Please check out our working agreements here.
Safe space meetings are strictly closed to researchers and reporters in their professional capacities. Meetings are open to anyone else wanting to talk and think about gender! For more info, give us a shout at genderqueerchicago@gmail.com!