More than Friends opens to modes of affinity and coalition from the standpoint that, according to Bu Shea, every “revolution starts at home.” The training sets out from three premises: first, the nuclear household is the site of the majority of abuse and sexual violence in the world; second, finding political community can be a place of refuge for many yet may also be a place of disharmony; and third, issues in relationships often arise from hard to describe, often unnamed, internalized, and interpersonal oppressions and traumas. The training explores: ways of expanding relationships of care; differences between affinity and coalition (Bernice Johnson-Reagon) and between conflict and abuse (Sarah Schulman); accountability practices, tools, and strategies of nonviolent communication; navigating relationships with mental health in mind; and taking journeys of healing without harming ourselves and others. The material to be discussed is drawn from theories and practices of transformative justice, family abolition, non-monogamy, and disability activism, looking in particular at the immense work by queer womyn of color across these fields. The content of this training was also incorporated into the class Bu Shea lead with Jeanne van Heeswijk last spring for HKU MAFA’s Spatial Practice class “More than Friends: on belonging, access, and safe(r) spaces”, as well as it’s part of her “study line” at Casco called Poetics of Living.

When: 9 and 11 October 2019 (Wednesday and Friday)
Both days, 14-18 hrs.

Participation:
This is a two-day training. Please ensure that you can attend the training in its entirety.
Language: English

Check the full program of trainings here.