My visit to the Climate Camp today

My initial impressions….

Spent a couple of hours at the Climate Camp at Blackheath Common. Hoping to go back there Monday. It was such a friendly and warm environment.

On arrival, you are welcomed and shown to the main tent where there’s a quick talk about how the climate operates and there’s a tour as well, along with a handbook. Very well organised and self-sufficient.

I couldn’t stay for that long and sorry I missed the workshop Kevin was involved in (hope it went well btw). There was lots of workshops and other activities, even a tiny cinema tent!!

The camp is based on collective decision making processes that is very positive. Also, the backdrop of Blackheath Common is the capitalist colony known as Canary Wharf.

The cops were keeping a low profile, there were vans further up the Common on the other side along with a massive crane with a CCTV camera perched on top…

Day of the Triffids

Workshops on Monday includes ones on feminism and Workers’ Climate Action.

And it was a wonderfully warm sunny day as well…..

Will be back on Monday to sample the political debates….

Gay icons

I found the exhibition on Gay Icons interesting but I was not  wildly enthusiastic. The selection came from 10 rather respectable establishment friendly lesbians and gay men. Yes, they chose a cross section of icons from the conservative to the radical, including race, sex and class. Instead of picking the famous to choose their icons what about ordinary LGBT grassroots activists being asked who they regard as inspirational and/or as an icon? Even with an exhibition like this the people doing the choosing are supposedly exemplars of the ‘great and good’ and of the famous.

Actually in saying all of that, some of the icons chosen I admire as well. Peter Tatchell though I find his politics hit and miss, I have immense respect and admiration for his election campaign in Bermondsey 1983 and for his continued fight against oppression. I remember at the time, reading about the appalling homophobic crap he was facing not just from the tabloids but from the Labour Party. He made a personal impression on my own burgeoning political consciousness especially as I grew up in a narrow minded, inflexible, homophobic, oppressive household . Tatchell’s politics were a breath of fresh air.

I admired the man and his politics appealed to me. I was 13 at the time of the ’83 election and hoped Tatchell would win. But it was stacked against him. My only regret was never writing to him expressing my respect and admiration for him.

Other icons in this exhibition who I admire because of their spirit, political radicalism, bravery, courage of convictions, include Audre Lorde, Sojourner Truth, Harvey Milk Quentin Crisp, Patrica Highsmith, Alan Turing, Virginia Woolf, Benjamin Britten, WH Auden, Maya Angelou.