In 2004 the party conventions were nothing more than disempowering for
queers and transfolk. Boston turned out a large, festive, yet nearly
invisible queer kiss-in. The Gays Against Bush Contingent of the UFPJ
march in NYC was hurried to the cattle pens and filled its place at the
very end of a 500,000+ person march. Queer Fist's Queer Kiss-in saw
extreme police brutality and the arrests of nearly everyone involved. If
radical Trans-Folk, Queers and Allies are to confront the oppression we
face on a daily basis in the streets of St. Paul and Denver we must learn
from the past, plug into the pre-existing overall strategies and be
prepared to Bash Back!

Bash Back! is a newly formed group of radical TransFolk, Queers,
Anarcha-Feminists and allies in Chicago. Our current focus is hosting a
Convergence in April to facilitate radical Queer and Trans organizing
against the Party Conventions. We are anticipating that the Convergence
will play an essential role in action planning and give us a solid grip on
the presence Radical Queers and TransFolk will have at the Conventions
this summer. By organizing against the conventions we hope to pave the way
for a long lasting network of radical Transfolk, Queers and
Anarcha-Feminists. We encourage all like minded radical TransFolk and
Queers in other cities to form their own Chapter of Bash Back! and are
calling for Trans-Folk, Queers, Anarcha-Feminists, and Allies to join us
in Chicago April 5th and 6th.

As well as strategy sessions, the weekend of April 5th will include
workshops, a large party/show/fundraiser, and a rowdy yet fabulous action.
Bash Back! is committed to providing safe housing and food to out of town
attendees throughout the weekend. With any luck the Chicago convergence
will be just as smashing as the Sweaty Southern Queer and Trans
Convergence in the Spring of 2006. If you and your friends are interested
in attending the convergence or getting involved with local organizing in
Chicago email BashBackChi (at) riseup.net