So, the Programme in Memory of Famila is happening on the 6th, this
Sunday, at 5 pm. Famila was a woman who did crucial work for queer women
- trans, lesbian, bi - in Bangalore. I'm making it a part of the WHaQ!
Sunday meeting agenda.
The
programme is the official agenda of the WHaQ! meeting. I'll open the
office at 4, and stay there till 4:45 - anyone who wants to come but
doesn't know the way to 1 Shanti road can come to the office and we'll go
together. Others can meet us directly there.
We can do dinner after, for those who don't want to come to Famila's programme but want to meet the WHaQ! group in any case.
Here's the original invite, from the CSMR list:
Dear Friends,
We invite you for this program.
Organised by
Friends of Famila
A PROGRAM IN MEMORY OF FAMILA
Organized by friends of Famila
Famila,
a radical feminist, very active in queer politics, a Hijra who questioned all
forms of hierarchy and feudalist patriarchal systems within and outside the
community, a beautiful person who brought in new visions and aspects to queer
politics died in the year 2004 when she was 24 years.
Famila
identified herself as a Hijra, sex worker, bisexual and a feminist. She was a
board member of Sangama, an organization working for the human rights of sexual
minorities, an active member in Vividha, an autonomous collective of
marginalized sexualities and genders. She was also working in Sangama as a
project coordinator for Hijras and transgenders. Her everyday life itself
was a challenge to the hetero-normative patriarchal society. Many people during
her time boasted about communal living but never succeeded. She was a real example
for communal living, as there were many people who lived in her house. It was a
house of marginalized sexualities and genders. This shows that she not only
identified herself as Hijra but also respected and accepted different sexual
and gender identities in its real meaning.
Famila
was born on 6th November 1980. She was the first person to go
against her own community to accommodate all queer identities, especially the
female born sexual minorities, in her house providing shelter.
Famila
was well known for her clear, straightforward and radical articulation of the
struggle of marginalized sexualities and genders in many conferences and
programs. She took a lead role in organizing the 2nd Hijra Habba in
Bangalore through the autonomous collective Vividha, mobilizing more than 2000
people for the program and collecting funds from public to fight for the rights
of marginalized sexualities and genders.
Unfortunately,
she passed away in 2004 July, at the age of 24. There has been a huge loss to
the work that she planned to do and also that kind of radical politics. For
friends of Famila she is not dead and is very much alive for many of us in our
memories. A few friends of Famila from last year have started celebrating her
birthday in her memory to keep her radical politics alive.
We
are organizing a program in memory of Famila on 6th November 2011 at
the 1, Shanti Road, Shantinagar, where her friends will share their experiences
with her and some footage will be shown about her. People who would like to share
their experiences about the interactions with her are most welcome to do so.
Speakers
– A.Revathi, Shakun Mohini and Chandini
Venue
– 1, Shanti Road, Shanti Nagar, Bangalore - 560027
Date
and Timings – Sunday, 6th November 2011, from 5 PM to 7 PM
