FEMALE:PRESSURE

intersectionality in digital community

2017 - current





Conversations documented from me to the Facts Trouble Making team in 2023, and onwards into organising presentations in didscusson of Intersectionality, Diversity, Equity, for various conferences and futher presentation.

In context to the 2022 report's intersectional aspects of working - particular to the 'Further Issues to Diversity' and 'Call to Action' sections, Ispeak about:

What sets FACTS apart (that I can see) is a reflection of it's Decentralised perspective:

1. Finding a way to (at least) recognise a third gender category and include discussion on the implications / limitations of this in the written report.

Artists making a self-identification is the only way we can can clarify and classify. Its a generalisation, but some Transgender Identities want the Binary and not to be questioned on pronouns at all. 'Having to identify as something' is also having to 'prove' something. And non-binary demolishes the binary altogether, so people often have no need for pronouns. FACTS is in recognition that transgender persons fall under the pronouns of He and She, and become invisible in many cases, and this might be either a choice or mis-recognition for the artist themselves, and the entire scope of limitations that are discussed

Many institutions were wanting to gather data from self-identifying collection methods (say, from artists who are applying to residency programs or funding) as opposed to how FACTS does it, from the publicly represented view. In both cases the pro's and cons of data organisation through a pronouns-method is a really needed discussion point.

(Berlin Senate for example, still does not include gender non-binary-conforming identities nor transgender identities under their idea of female/woman oriented Film Makers grant money in Oct 2023, even though it would be easy to allow artists to self identify there, they have a female-only AFAB ideology, still.)

2. The qualitative data that was added in 2022 by inviting first person accounts from Bodies of Culture (not speaking for them).

The need and value of Qualitiative Data, (a revaluing of emotional realities and emotional intelligence, a revalueing of non-centrism) As we evolve out of Patriachial systems, we allow everyone to regain connection to the truth of lived experiences and somatic reality.

3. Recognising the Context of individuals existing within systems.

An industry where gatekeeping & political biases, and resources, flow in all directions.

Context is also about Genre (collectives, styles and labels) and booking agencies politics towards gender equality in their portfolio. It is political, (of course, capitalist) and based on hierarchy.

4. Trans-National scale, as is female:pressure.

About remaining Volunteer-Organised Research, How call outs and counting is organised, How to ethically access Qualitative Data through self-governed networks as incubator and allow self identification and non-linear exchange, deeper listening.

5. BIAS

And about Bias, if we exist in a whole reality entrenched in classist systems, it is embedded within how we relate with everything.

We do easily unconsciously replicate, the same systems we attempt to demolish.

(There is no Random selection possible in a non-complete data set.)