TWANG CONDEMNSARKANSAS LEGISLATORS’ ATTACKS ONAUTONOMY
Arkansas legislators are on a warpath to destroy our autonomy. Over the past two weeks, our state flooded with legislative attacks includingArkansas Senate Bill 43.
This week, SB43 passed committee unanimously. While many have coined it as an “anti-drag bill”, this legislation has far reaching impacts that extend beyond harm to drag performers and communities.As a project led by and for trans, nonbinary, and gender non conforming creatives, it is clear to us this is a targeted attack on TGNC communities—and that SB43 will silence TGNC artists and performers across the state ofArkansas.
SB43 makes transphobic rhetoric law— equating any TGNC performances to “adult business”, perpetuating myths of gender nonconformity as “deviant“ and “predatory” and inherently sexualizing and objectifying TGNC communities.This legislation criminalizes any and all gender non conforming public performances across the state ofArkansas. From a talent show to a public reading or concert, TGNC folks will be banned from expressing themselves and sharing their art in public. SB43 erases TGNC creativity from the public eye.
As trans people, we are horrified at the prospect of anArkansas where this bill is made law.AsTGNC artists, it is not lost on us that our careers, livelihoods, and TWANG itself will be impacted.
It is not enough to occasionally fund individual TGNC artists or art projects. We call on all arts & culture organizations to publicly condemn and lobby against SB43 and other anti-TLGBQ legislation with their funders and institutional reach. We commit to transparent conversations with our own funders about the necessity of speaking and working against harmful legislation. We must fight together for an equitable arts ecosystem & the safety of all TGNC andTLGBQ people across the state ofArkansas.
As artists and creators, it is imperative that we each do our part to push the institutions that fund us to seek more than our own individual needs. We invite you to come forward and join our fight for an equitable climate for all TGNC people inArkansas.
It is crucial we protect TGNC folks from discrimination, criminalization, and barriers to our livelihood and creativity.Together, we can embody liberation and build a safe haven forTGNC people. We are in solidarity with all TGNC people who are afraid, grieving, and devastated by the current legislative session. We hope that we can be a safe haven for you in the coming months, weeks and years inArkansas as we work toward supporting, collaborating and creating within the TGNC community. Regardless of legislation, we are here to celebrate, support and build community with other TGNC Arkansans. Nothing can stop us from being ourselves or being in community
With love & solidarity, Brody Parrish Craig (they/them)
Maximiliano Calabotta (they/them)
Contact: twanganthology@gmail.com