IDKE XII: Gender Justice is committed to making IDKE a safer space. The Gender Justice Collective defines safer space as a place where racism, sizeism, classism, sexism, and other “–isms” are not tolerated. A safer space is one that is actively monitored and prioritizes the needs of its community members. Gender Justice Collective chooses the term ‘safer space’ instead of ‘safe space’ because we acknowledge that no space can be 100% safe for everyone; however, we are making every effort to make this a space where “–isms” are attentively examined, discussed and- as appropriate- respectfully dissolved.
The IDKE Board, a twelve-person board that oversees the planning of each year’s IDKE has a performance respect clause that we expect all performers to read, understand and adhere to.
Much of drag performance is about entertainment and fun, but it is important to not lose sight of the fact that drag performance also can be a powerful medium that can either reiterate or deconstruct norms and/or stereotypes of gender, race, class, sexuality, and ability. Therefore, performers are asked to consider carefully whether or not the characters, costumes, and situations that they present on the IDKE stages are respectful of fellow performers and the audience. When in doubt about a performance, please ask a member of the current host city steering Board or IDKE Board: http://www.idke.info/bylaws.html
IDKE XII respects the artistic merit of all performances that will appear on our stages, and we remind our performers that performance is the start of a dialogue between the performers and their audience. We urge our performers to consider the ramifications of cultural appropriation, and its place on our stage as a part of a conference that is working to create a safer space. It is sometimes difficult to understand cultural appropriation. We’ve provided a basic definition of cultural appropriation that we find useful when discussing it.
Cultural Appropriation is when a dominant social group takes cultural signifiers (music, dance, language, social behavior, dress personal adornment and religion) from a minority social group. Often times these signifiers are used with out regards to their significance and history to the minority group.
For more information please see Wikipedia's definition of cultural appropriation.
As people living in a complex, vibrant, multicultural world, we understand that appropriation is all around us. We all appropriate. The question is how we do it, and if we do it respectfully. This is a confusing subject, and the best way we can all understand it is through communication, dialogue, and community. Communication is the only way to gain each other’s trust and create a space that is truly safer.
We are working so hard to plan IDKE XII: Gender Justice, and are looking forward to everyone joining us here in Baltimore, the Greatest City in America.
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