Update on the Southeast Trans and/or Women Action Camp

What follows is an update on the Southeast Trans and/or Women Action Camp. For more information, check the original call here.

Local community organizers will be hosting a rural and urban direct action camp in so-called Asheville, North Carolina from April 26th-29th. This camp is open to all female, trans, trans women, trans men, gender queer, gender variant, two-spirited, agender, and otherwise non-cis male-identifying people. TWAC is an approach to smashing patriarchy and opposing all forms of oppression through direct action, skill-sharing, and mutual aid for the sake of individual and collective liberation for all. It is our goal to empower those of us who are systematically silenced and oppressed due to socially-constructed gender and racial inequalities, to have our voices be heard and to bring together communities of resistance in spaces that consciously subvert the power dynamics we often experience in cis and male-dominated spaces.

We hope to build power and amplify voices within our community, heal, and strengthen our cultures of resistance.This camp is striving to prioritize the voices of indigenous and black activists and comrades, especially in the south. The relationship between environmental movements and transformative racial and transgender justice is crucial and something that we will continue to discuss.

This four-day camp will offer workshops and discussions on a wide range of topics including: urban and rural direct action, earth-skills, art & activism, conflict resolution, botany, tree climbing, anti-fascist and anti-racist organizing, prisoner support, DIY medicine and first-aid, herbalism, caucuses and much more! The camp will be held on a piece of land in the mountains about 30 minutes from Asheville. We have not yet disclosed the exact location publicly for the sake of security, but once you complete the registration form, you will receive email updates on how to get to camp. Parking on the land is limited, so try to carpool if possible. We will be setting up a rideshare board soon to help folks coordinate. It will be springtime, but could still get chilly at night, so bring extra layers!

Also, keep in mind the potential for rain, so bring a raincoat and boots to stay dry, and maybe an extra tarp. We also encourage folks to bring headlamps/flashlights, plate/cup/utensils, toilet paper and come prepared to pack-out any trash you may have. If you are able to bring extra camping supplies to share with those who may be in need, please do so!

In addition to donating funds to help cover the costs of putting on the camp, we are asking folks to bring food donations to contribute to the communal meals that will be prepared at camp. We are specifically asking for bulk staples such as rice, beans, breads, oils, fruits, vegetables, eggs, granola, yogurt, condiments, etc. There will be accommodations for dietary restrictions including vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. We encourage folks to bring personal snack items as well.

There will be a limited number of indoor sleeping spaces available for those who otherwise would not be able to attend based on the camping arrangements. We are prioritizing these spaces for people with mobility issues and other disabilities. We recognize that many folks depend on dogs for safety and support. However, regret having to announce that the land that is hosting the camp is a working farm so we are asking folks not to bring dogs. There will be childcare set up for parents wishing to attend with their young ones. We will have a medic/wellness station with trained medics to assist with first aid needs. Please reach out to us regarding any accommodation or accessibility needs you may have.

Let’s ALL make this happen! If you are available to arrive early and/or stay after camp ends, we could use assistance with set-up and break-down/clean up tasks. There will be someone on-site the day before and the day after camp to facilitate. Additionally, please come prepared to volunteer and help out where it’s needed.

For more information about the camp and the link to the registration form: setwac.blackblogs.org

To donate: paypal.me/setwac2018

Contact email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: White supremacy, misogyny, xenophobia, classism, ableism, fatphobia, and transphobia exist everywhere, even in radical spaces. While we strive to do our best to rise above and fight these deep forms of violence and oppression, we also recognize that, as humans, we will make mistakes and perpetuate inequalities even subconsciously. We will work hard to make this a more inclusive space, especially for trans women, people of color and disabled individuals. Additionally, given the rural terrain, our capacity to help with physical accommodations is limited, but we will do everything we can to provide support if needed. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or have any feedback on how we can do better.