Queer Anarchism
Queer Anarchism, commonly referred to by the abbreviations AnQueer or QueerAn, is an branch of Anarchism that places a special emphasis on the liberation of the
LGBTQIA community.
Queer anarchists believe that the only true way to achieve such liberation is to launch a
social revolution that will lead to the complete destruction of
Capitalism,
the state, and
traditional hierarchies.
History
Queer anarchism emerged alongside gay rights movements in the 1960's. Theorists such as
Daniel Guérin believed that queer liberation could only be achieved alongside a social revolution against
captialism. This was at a time when homophobia was still somewhat prevalent among left-wing movements.
Since then, it has influenced many modern anarchist movements. The queer anarchist movement made an resurgence in the 21st century, as it's members participated in pride parades and other LGBTQ events. In 2007, a group of queer anarchist cells named "Bash Back!" was formed. The group carried out actions against what they saw as "corporate pride." The group split in 2011 due to internal conflict.
Queer anarchism gained popularity on the internet in the late 2010's due to the "Be gay, do crime" meme. Although the meme is no longer necessarily associated with the movement, it is still commonly used by queer anarchist activists.
In 2017, the The Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army was formed in Syria to fight alongside the
YPG. The founding of the subunit went viral on social media. In late September 2018, the TQILA dissolved alongside its parent battalion, the International Revolutionary People's Guerrilla.
Beliefs
Anarchism
"As an anarchist, it is my interest to further these three principles in every aspect of life in order to dismantle power wherever I can. As a queer person, I need to destroy what destroys me in order to survive. Thus I work, or rather, play — to put it with the words of alfredo bonanno — towards the end of civilization however I can — through and with these three principles."
Like other anarchists, queer anarchists support the abolition of the state. Queer anarchists believe that the state is a major oppressor of LGBTQ people, and that an anarchist society is the only way to truly achieve liberation.
Anti-Captialism
Queer anarchists believe that captialism promotes oppression of LGBTQ people, and thus must be destroyed alongside
the state and
hierarchy. Queer anarchists are famous for their opposition to
pink captialism, which they say leads to the commercialization of the LGBTQ community.
Social Revolution
According to queer anarchists, a social revolution must happen in order to destroy oppressive traditional hierarchies (such as the
Patriarchy) in order to achieve true freedom for LGBTQ people.
Variants
WIP
Personality
AnQueer is often depicted as passionate about fighting against the state and various other oppressors and can often be seen vehemently defending
LGBT rights, and although they are generally not particularly violent, they view revolutionary violence as justified in the face of oppression. AnQueer usually associates with other left anarchist or
LGBT ideologies
due to shared ideological values. They are highly critical of
capitalism, which they view as perpetuating a
patriarchal system based upon discrimination, on top of the usual left anarchist critiques, and they often view the
Liberal Dynasty's alleged support for LGBT rights as more virtue signalling than a genuine belief in favor of complete social equality. Depending on the author, AnQueer can also sometimes be depicted as gender non-conforming, although they are usually portrayed as being a transgender woman.
How to Draw
Queer Anarchism has two designs: a traditional bisected anarchist flag for most contexts, and the flag of TQILA (The Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army) for more revolutionary contexts.
Bisected Flag
- Draw a ball
- Draw a black line diagonally across the ball
- Fill the bottom half with the same shade
- Fill the top half with pink
- Draw the eyes and you're done!
Color Name | HEX | RGB | |
---|---|---|---|
Black | #141414 | rgb(20, 20, 20) | |
Pink | #FF00FF | rgb(255, 0, 255) |
TQILA Flag
- Draw a ball,
- Fill it with pink
- Draw a black Anarchist circle-A symbol (Ⓐ) on the top,
- Draw a black assault rifle on the bottom,
- Draw the eyes and you're done!
Color Name | HEX | RGB | |
---|---|---|---|
Pink | #F05B72 | rgb(240, 91, 114) | |
Black | #141414 | rgb(20, 20, 20) |
(Optional) Props
The props that Queer Anarchism sometimes holds include:
- LGBT flags (like the rainbow flag, trans flag, etc)
- Signs with radical pro-LGBT messages ("This Fag Kills Fascists", "Shut The Fuck Up TERF", "The First Pride Was A Riot", etc)
- Weapons for throwing in protests (milkshakes, bricks, etc)
- Revolutionary weapons (AK-47s, Molotov cocktails, etc)
Relationships
Friends
Anarcha-Feminism - Best aunt ever! Both of us are committed to fighting the patriarchy in all of its forms.
Anarcho-Communism - The abolishment of class struggles will abolish the oppression against queers.
Anarcho-Syndicalism - I love you for the same reason as AnCom.
Anarcho-Transhumanism - "Trans" means two completely different things to us but that doesn't stop us from getting along.
Illegalism - Be gay do crime! You still think too much about yourself only, not about the liberation of all minorities.
Anarcho-Egoism - You're too nihilistic and self-centered sometimes but I like your belief that people should have the right to be themselves.
Anarcho-Pacifism - I can't seem to convince you that violence against oppressors is justified, but you support everyone's rights and just want to be nice to everyone so I like you.
Insurrectionary Anarchism - I gotta love your methods!
Anti-Fascism - Bash the queerphobic fascists!
Fully Automated Gay Space Communism - Tradcon's worst nightmare and final boss. BASED!
Democratic Confederalism - We support you in Syria.
Hydrarchy - A bit too violent for my sake but we both agree that be gay do crime.
Neozapatismo - “Yes, Marcos is gay. Marcos is gay in San Francisco, black in South Africa, an Asian in Europe, a Chicano in San Ysidro, an anarchist in Spain, a Palestinian in Israel, a Mayan Indian in the streets of San Cristobal, a Jew in Germany, a Gypsy in Poland, a Mohawk in Quebec, a pacifist in Bosnia, a single woman on the Metro at 10pm, a peasant without land, a gang member in the slums, an unemployed worker, an unhappy student and, of course, a Zapatista in the mountains. Marcos is all the exploited, marginalised, oppressed minorities resisting and saying `Enough'. He is every minority who is now beginning to speak and every majority that must shut up and listen. He is every untolerated group searching for a way to speak. Everything that makes power and the good consciences of those in power uncomfortable -- this is Marcos.”
Anarcho-Frontierism - Can I join you in the showers at Ram Ranch?
Frenemies
Pink Capitalism - Death to queer assimilationism! Death to pink capitalism!
Thanks for these trans socks thoBleeding-Heart Libertarianism - Like the above. Basically me but not anarchist and capitalist.
Progressivism - You have a good heart, but do you truly believe in social justice if you don't embrace anarchism?
Caesarism - Oppressive imperialist, but you were very pro-LGBTQ for your time.
Anarcho-Nihilism - Only our illegalist, anarchism and post-left variants agree with you.
Anarcho-Primitivism &
Neoluddism - Sure, capitalism and the state are bad, but don't you realize your "utopian society" will ruin trans peoples' lives?
Post-Left Anarchy -
My child may like you but why are you so critical towards left anarchism? And stop accusing me of being obsessed with LGBTQ+ idpol like that's a bad thing!
Enemies
Homoconservatism - Do you really think that you'll be free in a conservative society?
Adolf Brand is based.Homofascism - I pity this self hating cretin. And he hates me for being an "effeminate twink" like that's a bad thing.
Stransserism - Why?
Alt-Lite - Oh fuck off, I'm not "dropping the TQ+".
Alt-Right - WE HAVE REPLACED YOU! WE HAVE REPLACED YOU! WE HAVE REPLACED YOU!
Nazism - We said "not usually violent" for a reason.
National Capitalism - You too! Dirty fascist capitalist pig!
Jihadism - 13 reasons why trad religion is fucking cringe. Eat shit and die theofascist!
Odalism - A deranged racist and fascist basket case!
Authoritarian Conservatism - Telling me to go to horny jail? NO!!!
Anarcho-Conservatism - Do you want some salt to go with that boot?
Paleoconservatism - Me and my gay guerilla will burn your stores, fascists!
Conservative Feminism - Eugh, a tradwife who bootlicks the patriarchy.
Neoliberalism - Fake poser who tries to appeal to the LGBTQ+ Community, but doesn’t mean it.
Anarcho-Capitalism - You sure are oppressive for someone who claims to be against oppression.
Hoppeanism - Like the guy above but even worse.
Crusade of Romanianism,
National Anarchism &
Lys Noir - All of you are fake liblefts and are nasty reactionaries!!!
Further Information
Literature
Wikipedia
- Queer Anarchism
- The Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army
- Mujeres Libres
- Mujeres Creando
- Der Eigene
Gallery
-
Old drawing by
BeryAb
Notes
- ↑ While not openly a queer person herself, Goldman was a lifelong supporter of gay rights at a time when most anarchists weren’t.