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1/Nos da cyfellion/good evening comrades! @himbo_girl here. This is your LGBTQIA+ History Month takeover of Labour for Indy Wales. I will be writing this thread in English but feel free to ask questions yn y Gymraeg.
2/Tonight, I want us to take a look at two key Qs: what does IndyWales look like for trans people & how can we get there? There are a lot of topics for consideration this history month, but I think that this relates most to the goals of L4IW - socialism, anibynniaeth & trans lib!
3/Some sceptics of indy Wales always say that the infrastructure isn't there for the project to be complete. I think this point of 'infrastructure' is v important - and I know what's next "as soon as Westminster's gone we can build all that!" But, there are materialist concerns..
4/Which play immediately relevant into so many people's lives when you consider this carefully. Those in Gogledd towns, surrounded by mountainous terrain, who are struggling to venture for the basic necessities in this harsh winter & the COVID-19 pandemic. To get medicines, food
5/Finally, we are beginning to see the pain that so many ppl - disabled folk, trans ppl, the elderly ac.y.y.b. who find that transport isn't frequent enough, with of course the complex case of Betsi Caladwadr only recently removed from special measures. This isn't news to anyone
6/following this account I'm sure. We blame Westminster - they don't fund us enough. Some blame Welsh Labour - they're not radical enough. But ultimately, the issue lies in trying to navigating a beautiful landscape but ensure communities can travel around without..
7/it being ruined or that resources come to these communities. So...we have an issue of accessing healthcare, housing (particularly if it's priced out by holiday homes!) and employment. Time & again, we will hear how Labour wants to return to its heartlands & bring about 'real'..
8/change. To get away from the "culture war issues" - but, as you read these tweets/issues - they are inseparable from Welsh trans experiences. This is especially true outside-of-Cardiff (not to be *that* person!), where Wales' only gender service provision is currently.
9/"Ah, great, so...we need more gender services in Powys!" I hear you say. But - let us return to Gogledd once more. There could be a three-wing expansion of Ysbyty Gwynedd, this would mean nothing if you can't drive, old, disabled in Pwllheli. The same principle is key to..
10/Really understanding trans liberation. We don't need medicalised, gatekeeping systems that rely on a bad model of pathologisation - we need an open access, local work, that centres trans people's needs and in turn, Welsh people's needs. The NHS is celebrated as Welsh &
11/socialist, but even now there are ways of this system being openly privatised (especially in trans health) and gatekept. With this in mind, an independent Wales must ensure if offers for its communities - ways that are not imagined in the current sociopolitical climate.
12/I also want to add something onto this thread which particularly focuses on y Gymraeg. Those who are trans first language Welsh speakers are hugely disadvantaged, with so few accessible resources both public & underground in their native language.
13/This is not to add a spoiler onto this of "remember the language"; it once again has an adverse effect on trans people in a v signifcant way, unique to the cause of independence. Settling for English resources when you think in Welsh, and perhaps even under your transition
14/better through Welsh is exactly what our movement should be fighting for.
So, with all of this in mind....what's next? What should YOU do? I know that doesn't have a simple answer, but I'm hoping I can provide *some* starting points. But remember - I am but one tall woman..
So, with all of this in mind....what's next? What should YOU do? I know that doesn't have a simple answer, but I'm hoping I can provide *some* starting points. But remember - I am but one tall woman..
15/from Gogledd Cymru, not the entirety of the trans movement. Firstly - please support @transaidcymru. Their work is so essential & momumental and so often mutual aid orgs end up relying on other trans people to prop them up. Don't donate to charities - give directly to trans
16/folk. Secondly, I would definitely read this stellar essay from @HarryJosieGiles : https://harryjosiegiles.medium.com/trans-in-the-uk-what-the-hell-are-we-going-to-do-73fef741cef6
It articulates all of this stuff so much better than I ever could. I'd also recommend "Wages for Transition" if you can find it.
It articulates all of this stuff so much better than I ever could. I'd also recommend "Wages for Transition" if you can find it.
17/Within our movement we must constantly remind ourselves: Wales cannot be free if any of its communities cannot be free. We are not fighting simply for our mountains and beaches but real, genuine people, oppressed by a crushing economic system. These are all interrelated
18/And must be the cornerstone of our understanding of independence. From a Labour POV - get submitting motions to your CLPs pushing for dramatic action on trans health! Look for mutual aid locally to fund. I pobl sy'n siarad Cymraeg: helpu i greu iaith newydd i pobl traws.
19/Continue to support Welsh art from trans artists. Demand that Welsh indy coverage of trans issues is accurate, empathetic and sensitive. Never hesitate to stand with a trans comrade.
Wow! 19 tweets. And there's probably even more to say!
Wow! 19 tweets. And there's probably even more to say!
20/I want to thank the folks at L4IW letting me do this, to people RTing/sharing this out too. Let's build us a movement for all!!
