Interview with Nepali Queer Rights Activist

[the-red-under-the-bed]

From Lal Salam blog, interview with LGBTI rights activist SUbash Pokrhrel

http://maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/2009/03/interview-with-subash-pokharel-co.html

[JohannGE]

From Lal Salam blog, interview with queer rights activist SUbash Pokrhrel

http://maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/2009/03/interview-with-subash-pokharel-co.html

Unlike Lal Salam blog, you don't concern yourself with "correct terminology" then?

[Bilan]

^ What?

[pastradamus]

^ What?
What he meant is that the word "Queer" is a derogratory terminology and is insulting to homosexuals. red-under-the-bed, Edit you post ASAP and change the word "queer" to Gay or Homosexual before the revleft witchunting society find out.

[Saorsa]

A hell of a lot of LBGT people willingly choose to be identified as queer. The students association at my university has a Queer Officer, and the gay activism and social group on campus is called UniQ (Q for Queer in case anyones confused). Queer is not a homophobic term.

[Raúl Duke]

A hell of a lot of LBGT people willingly choose to be identified as queer. The students association at my university has a Queer Officer, and the gay activism and social group on campus is called UniQ (Q for Queer in case anyones confused). Queer is not a homophobic term.

Yes I heard that the term "queer" is now being used positively, at least among the LGBTQ community. However, if it causes any problems the word can always be change to "homosexual" or "gay" by a mod/admin.

[pastradamus]

A hell of a lot of LBGT people willingly choose to be identified as queer. The students association at my university has a Queer Officer, and the gay activism and social group on campus is called UniQ (Q for Queer in case anyones confused). Queer is not a homophobic term.

Thats a good point. I know a number of gay people who call themselves Queer jokingly and in good spirit but traditionally the word means "weird" or "unusual" or is even conotated to something being wrong mentally with someone. So on that level I could understand if a homosexual felt insulted by the word Queer.

[pastradamus]

However, if it causes any problems the word can always be change to "homosexual" or "gay" by a mod/admin.

Exactly. I dont think the term will insult anybody here on Revleft but if it does we can change it. Im positive the OP honestly meant nothing offensive.

[mykittyhasaboner]

To discuss about the topic at hand......I was surprised to see that 2 lesbian commandos in the Maoist PLA were expelled from their cantonment, but they have since been re accepted. Which says a lot about their groups effectiveness.

[AntinoiteBolshevik]

It is excellent to see that Nepal is being gay friendly under the new Maoist government. Nepal has been for many years a very homophobic country and the Maoist guerillas killed gay men. I am glad to see that will be in the past.

Long live a Socialist Nepal!

[JohannGE]

Just to clarify...

I am not necissarily personaly offended by the use of the term queer. That would depend on the intent of the person using it which in this case was not clear.

I am all for reclaiming terms which have long been used as terms of abuse but not being a homosexual I would be no more likely to use it in the current climate than I would be to use the word "nigger".

My apologies for distracting from the topic.

[the-red-under-the-bed]

Firstly- apologies for the mistake, will rectify.

secondly- apologies for the absense of a reseponse, i was in the PLA camps for the last week,

And thrirdly: yer attitutude seem to be changing. there still needs a lot of work to be done, and thats in the maoists too, but its really positive signs

[the-red-under-the-bed]

Unlike Lal Salam blog, you don't concern yourself with "correct terminology" then?


I am the lal slam blog.....

[JohannGE]

I am the lal slam blog.....

Welcome back Red, I hope you can accept my enquiry in the spirit it was intended. Unfortunately, in the cultural environment I find myself in, there is still much progress required before it would be possible to use the term "queer" without conveying negativity and prejudice.

As Subash Pokharel said in your blog:-

"The antagonisms between our community and society as whole is starting to slowly lessen, but even in developed nations things are not perfect and ideal."

We all still have much to learn.

Lal Salam.

[Red Heretic]

Long live a Socialist Nepal!

Comrade, I think this is a dangerous illusion! Without seizing power and actually smashing the bourgeois state power, no country can be socialist. While the CPN(M) has a majority in parliament, the state is still controlled by the US imperialists, and we should not fall into any deadly illusions about this!

You should join into the debate at:

http://www.revleft.com/vb/developments-nepal-and-t104546/index.html

[AvanteRedGarde]

Even though Red Heretic is right, this criticism is hardly new. Prachanda is a "Maoist" comprador. More than anything else, he cleared the fetter of monarchism and feudalism, primarily for the benefit of the IMF, western imperialism, and for a few bureacratic Nepal "Maoists" fawning over western society and their new masters. Of course, as I said, these criticisms are nothing new. Love Live a reconstituted revolutionary party in Nepal.

[the-red-under-the-bed]

Even though Red Heretic is right, this criticism is hardly new. Prachanda is a "Maoist" comprador. More than anything else, he cleared the fetter of monarchism and feudalism, primarily for the benefit of the IMF, western imperialism, and for a few bureacratic Nepal "Maoists" fawning over western society and their new masters. Of course, as I said, these criticisms are nothing new. Love Live a reconstituted revolutionary party in Nepal.

Having seen where the leaders live, in very working class areas, with little luxury, and having seen the PLA camps, where again, its a very basic existance and what little there is is shared between all, on what basis are you saying there are maoist bureucrats?

[AvanteRedGarde]

I'm saying that people power doesn't exist in Nepal. The PLA has been stuck in concentration camps, separated from their weapons. Pranchanda is sharing stages with WTO officials and former NY major Rudolf Gulianne.

Even the UCPN admits that nepal is not socialist.

[the-red-under-the-bed]

I'm saying that people power doesn't exist in Nepal. The PLA has been stuck in concentration camps, separated from their weapons. Pranchanda is sharing stages with WTO officials and former NY major Rudolf Gulianne.

Even the UCPN admits that nepal is not socialist.


no shit its not socialist yet- as you say even the UCPNM doesnt claim to be, thats why its a process in motion.

Prachanda has shared stages wth the WTO- yes, so what? The reality of the world is the WTO, expecially in the absence of any socialist block. The Nepalis to one extent or another will need to deal with the WTO- at least for the short term. They could kick out the WTO, the American embassy and invade India sure, but that would just destroy and socialist example they could set up and kill millions of people.

as for the PLA- yes they are in camps- but they still have their weapons. Ive seen them

[AvanteRedGarde]

If the PLA has their weapons, then they are acting against initial order by the the now UCPN. Maybe your are talking about the PLA who have defected?

Since when has class struggle and resistance been wrong. In fact, it is wrong to try to hold back the struggle of the people. This is what the UCPN is doing.

Furthermore, who would be the bad guys if India invades? The Maoists? For what reason, that they carried out a revolution in Nepal? Your logic feeds into the reactionaries and is neo-Khrushchevist in its essence.

Long Live Class Struggle in Nepal; Class Struggle Against 'Maoist' Compradors if Need Be

[the-red-under-the-bed]

No- The PLA, all of them, still have their weapons. They are restricted to the cantonments, but they are definately still armed. Ive seen the weapons. I was in the 3rd Division- Kalyan/Anish brigade last week.

www.maobadiwatch.blogspot.com (http://www.maobadiwatch.blogspot.com)

quote:
Since when has class struggle and resistance been wrong. In fact, it is wrong to try to hold back the struggle of the people. This is what the UCPN is doing
Furthermore, who would be the bad guys if India invades? The Maoists? For what reason, that they carried out a revolution in Nepal? Your logic feeds into the reactionaries and is neo-Khrushchevist in its essence.

What the hell are you talking about? Of course class struggle is still nessisary- even more so at theprecent juncture. Of course India would be 'the bad guys' if they invaded, they are already constantly interfering. I dont really know how to respond cos i have no idea what your talking about.