Within the chapter 3 of Safe Space by Christina Handhardt there was a primary discussion about how gentrification negatively impacted a town. Throughout her writing there is discussion of the tension as “In a short time, gay residents in gentrifying areas began to report violence, and the scene became increasingly polarized between new gay residents and long term neighborhood members” (129). This connects to the idea of taking space and the intentionality in doing so. The issue stems from the fact that gentrification is rooted from displacement of communities of color and therefore even if there is a remodeling of the town primarily white people are benefiting. While LGBTQ people are able to make space for those of intersectional identity that are people of color it creates an awkward position as their identity group is being displaced. It is important to consider intersectional identities and the harm gentrification has as there are no resources for the families displaced and instead capitalization is prioritized.
The second reading That’s My Space by Roque Ramirez discusses the organization of gay Latinos that navigate spaces in California. One of the important discussions within the reading is how representation in numbers matters as well as the ethnic intersectional with sexuality for latinx people. Within the article it discusses the lack of representation and initial organizing and the work that needed to be done. For example in Diane’s experience “While supporting the UFW’s grape boycotts in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, she was surprised to discover that not all Latinos shared her political view” (238). It is important to understand while one may be of a shared identity group there can be different perspectives. Another note is that in the Latinx community there is a history of homophobia and sexism within the community that many people are combating today.
Both of these readings discuss the importance of understanding people with different identities, navigating different spaces and having tough conversations. To have conversations is to get a deeper understanding of perspectives and it is important to call out problematic agendas that are homophobic, classist, or racist as only advocating for one community is unacceptable.
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