Queering Paradigms conference, Day 3

Last day of the “Queering Paradigms” conference on LGBT issues on the Cayman Islands and beyond, it went on from 1000 to 1730 hours. Here are my notes for day three.

It is more difficult to summarise this day, as the sociological framework was more complex, and there was a certain somber ambiance due to the Orlando massacre.

Construction of frames of reference and communities or spaces of belonging (kinship) matter in societies where the acceptance of LGBT is not open but part of a transition. A case example is China, where the negotiation between the family and these kinships seems challenging but takes place at the end.

Scenarios of exclusion make this belonging more difficult, sometimes even dangerous, as is the case of prisoners. LGTB prisoners are exposed to mistreatment, discrimination and even torture, creating extra punishments added to a sentence that many times is unrelated with the LGTB condition of the person. Several legal instruments aim to deter or stop this abuse, but the enforcement and application is discretionary and erratic.

During the space of exclusion created by slavery, special frames of reference for LGBT existed within the practice of slavery as such, and liaisons between slaves and master were not uncommon.

Religion, specifically the classic Christian tradition, has been pressed to change and adapt. The Anglican church, for example, has evolved significantly as it has perceived the social need to include same sex marriage and the acceptance of LGBT.

The top organiser of Queering Paradigms at the Cayman Islands, Leonardo Raznovich, was clear in stating that it has never been his intention to challenge the status of the Cayman Islands law, or to even suggest changes. His only claim is that the already existing law would be applied, as his case is not a claim but a complaint in regards of the lack of application of the already existing law. That is, what he faces is the stagnancy/freezing of an administrative procedure already contemplated and applied to most people here by such law.

Probably the most thought provoking presentation, from which I include the picture below, was done by the Bishop of Canterbury, Alan Wilson, with the title "Same-sex marriage and the queering project of Jesus".