Being Queer-identified and Heathen: Safe Spaces

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Being Queer-identified and Heathen: Safe Spaces

sinnsreachdheathen:

Let me first say thank you to everyone who submitted their experiences to me, you were an excellent help! They were a great inspiration and though they will remain anonymous, this post is built on their personal experiences from the perspectives of Heathen and Reconstructionist LGBTQ+ people. I will write this solely from a Heathen perspective as well. Let me also say, before anyone proceeds that there is going to be a:
(Trigger Warning: Instances of homophobia and bigotry, mention of)

Now we shall continue,
We live in 2012. Lots of people are out as LGBTQ+. Contemporary Heathenry exists in this era with us. Many people are raising their children as Heathens or any myriad of other Reconstructionist ethnic traditions. Many of these children may grow up to be LGBTQ+ Heathens and yet, there was one constant running thread through every submission to my inbox that caught my eye and that was the worry of not having a safe space with Heathens to feel safe and safely associate with others like themselves. I am going to write about safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people(though there is some cross over for POCs as well) as my topic of real life experiences in Heathenry and real life applications because this is something that is at the forefront of the lives of many and it should be considered with practical applications.

This is a problem, a huge one, especially since contemporary Reconstructionism has gotten to the point where there are more than one generation growing up Heathen and there is the possibility that many of them will grow up to be LGBTQ+. As if the outside world wasn’t already hard enough for queer-identified folks to exist in the world without being of an “alternative religion” but we even have among our ranks certain individuals who would aim to make it unsafe for LGBTQ+ folks to practice their own religions and cultures in peace. We have racists and homophobes and misogynists in our midst, and that is just the reality with any group but as Heathens, we have to worry about what mingling our Wyrd with theirs will do to us.

We must “keep frith” inside the frithyard, inside spheres where it is required that we “drop our weapons” and keep civil but unfortunately this is not always easy to do in certain public spaces, especially the internet. Many of these people want to force their bigoted opinions on innocent folks and fill the space, take power of it and ultimately remove that safe-space and power from the people they are trying to marginalise, and in this case, that is often LGBTQ+ people. We need to make safe spaces for everyone, especially the marginalised. Luckily there are sources out there that will provide safe-spaces for queer-identified people, be they gay, asexual, trans* or anything else they identify as.

When looking for a group to connect with(we are social animals and Heathenry and Recon are often very social-driven practices) we need to be aware of those who are in the group. We need to be aware of who we are going to be mingling our Wyrd with. We also need to have the courage to speak up for those who can’t against those who would seek to hurt them. This is not about politics, or one’s personal UPG. It is about providing a SAFE SPACE and the full rights to enjoy a space and feel safe in it, and the right to refuse to share a horn or mingle Wyrd with someone who would seek to poison it or otherwise hurt you.

This bigotry is not based on the lore and it isn’t based on historical views of our Ancestors on “queerness”. They lived in a different time, their views depended highly on their own experiential knowledge and lived experience in a very different society. Besides that, we see many instances in the lore where the Gods genderbend or otherwise commit “ergi” acts(Odin’s practice of seidr, Loki’s many instances of changing sex and giving birth, Thor’s genderbending to get mjöllnir back(depicted above)). That being said, I will not be quoting much lore as this is not a “What is Heathenry 101” blog and that is not the purpose of this post. Our Ancestors had very many different beliefs and “ergi” is just one but it cannot and should not be compared to modern society and how we view things. We live in a different world. Plain and simple. It is perfectly acceptable to be LGBTQ+ and a Heathen or Hellenist or Gaulish Polytheist, or whatever else you may be. Not only is it acceptable but it is encouraged that one embrace who they are and stand up for it. Anyone who thinks otherwise is definitely not worth mingling Wyrd with. In many societies, bisexuality was encouraged. Any modern views imposed upon a Reconstructionist religion should be scrutinised quite highly. Today, being LGBTQ+ can alter the relationship one has with no just their kin and kith but with their gods as well. It fully encompasses their lived experience as a queer-identified Heathen. Being able to relate to not just your gods but your people is spiritually healthy. It is part of growing up, growing into yourself, accepting who you are and feeling safe to do so.

Everyone deserves a safe place. Everyone deserves to practice in peace, be social in peace, and to fully embrace who they are in peace. No one should ever have their experiences erased, whether they be gay, trans*, a woman, a transwoman, or a person of colour, or of mixed race. Everyone deserves a space where no one is going to screw with that. There is a reason we have Heathens Against Hate and Caorann. I won’t hyperlink those just yet. If we are at the point of raising children in these religions, we need to make sure we provide a place to mingle Wyrd with non-toxic people. The name of my blog is Seledreamas. The word describes a concept in Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, particularly in the context of symbel wherein a space is considered a safe space, a place of peace. It is translated simply “hall joys” but the word goes much deeper than that. It speaks to a very social aspect of Heathenry and to the importance of keeping people together and keeping your people safe. Today, that includes LGBTQ+ people in our modern practice.

It is important that one know where to go to keep safe in Heathen spheres. If anyone expresses bigotry, report them to whoever is leading the space immediately. If you are leading a space, make sure those entering it know exactly how to behave(do not out someone who wishes to remain anonymous for their own safety for example) and remove anyone who expresses bigotted ideas. They have no place in a frithyard and you can expect people to refuse to drink from the horn of a bigot, especially if they have a history of spewing vitriol. This is typical Heathen etiquette and it should be upheld for everyone. Expressing bigotry or vitriol violates a very basic and very important code in Heathenry, and that is the one to make Luck and healthy Wyrd with your kin and kith. If one does this, they are essentially poisoning the collective well of their people and it should never be expected or accepted. Be aware of the groups individuals are organised and affiliated with, the basic accepted etiquette of a social forum. Check the main websites of Heathen organisations and read their manifestos. Look for key words or symbols that strike you as unsafe(nazi code, rightwing “family” rhetoric). Many of these groups are not Heathen at all but use it as a veneer for bigotted views. I should leave a disclaimer. If an individual is conservative in their views of the lore, or with reconstructing from historical documents, it is NOT the same as expressing bigotted and dangerous views towards marginalised people. From a Heathen point of view, making accomodations for bigotted people is unhealthy spiritually, physically and for your Wyrd and the health of your people and their future. It is downright dangerous on many levels.

There are safe spaces, and there are decent people who wish to nourish you spiritually and keep you safe physically. When you have a safe space to socialise in, you will be able to speak with your gods and have a healthier social and spiritual life, and you deserve it. Period.

I am going to leave some “safe space” links for people to look at with explanations about them below:

CAORANN(Celts Against Oppression, Racism and Neonazism. Run by Celtic Recon elders)

Heathens Against Hate(An organisation that seeks to speak out against oppression and bigotry)

A Gay Rant from a Gay Heathen(A great post by Freyrsman)

AsatruQ Yahoo Community(A safe space for LGBTQ+ Asatruar. Must have a yahoo account)

Queer Heathens(closed facebook group. A safe space)

Pagan Hot Showers(an organisation wherein people offer “hot showers” and shelter to Pagans in need, including those who need shelter from abuse or trans* folk who need somewhere to go. Excellent group and very helpful. Definitely a safe space. Reconstructionist friendly.)

GLBTPagans Meetup Page (currently seems to only be in America)

Homosexuality from a Hellenic POV(article written by a Hellenist, deals with contemporary and Reconstructionist views on LGBTQ+ issues)

A Heathen View on a Touchy Subject(a Heathen perspective on transgender issues)

I will reserve my own blog as a safe space, as I wrote in my disclaimer. Again I would like to thank the people who bravely shared their experiences with me and gave me the inspiration to write my post for the individual who asked for it. I have not quoted anyone or named anyone except freyrsman as his post is already public. Everyone else is remaining anonymous, including their details for their own personal safety.

THANK YOU. CONTINUE TO BE AMAZING, PLEASE.

Another excellently-written article, and I will definitely be distributing this among my own! :>