BHM event report: Queer people of colour

As part of Black History Month’s student seminars, four Warwick students have held a seminar on the hidden histories and struggles of Queer People of Colour (QPOC) on Tuesday 21.

Rachael Hinds, Amy Rafiq and Kapil, began their presentation with some music from QPOC artists, such as the song ‘Tous les Memes’ by Stromae. There were also some clips of spoken word poetry performances from QPOC used in the seminar.

The phrase ‘queer’ was defined as an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities that are not heterosexual or gender-binary.

The talk focused on how the intersections of race, class and gender are crucial factors when considering the lesbian, gay, black, transgender and self-defining asexual community (LGBTUA+). However the students explained that it is these factors that are often ignored.

As a result, QPOC often have to actively create their own spaces in society as there is no official place for them in mainstream society.

The hidden histories of QPOC begin with past imperialism. According to the group, during the colonial period, the natives of colonies were often seen as having perverse sexualities whilst colonisers were seen as being modern and civilised.

QPOC explained that in other non-Western countries categories like ‘gay’, for example, mean different things. This can create problems when Western countries attempt to draw conclusions about the LGBTUA+ community in non-Western countries.

The seminar raised several political issues related to QPOC, notably David Cameron’s decision to withdraw aid from Uganda on the premise that it is an ‘anti-gay country’.

The seminar referenced some well-known British QPOC such as Lady Phil, who introduced the first UK black Pride event, and Fiez Mughal.

The presenters stated: “The purpose of the QPOC day talk was to focus on the different ways in which queer people of colours’ multiple identities have often been left out from various movements, whilst also addressing some of the key problems we face in getting our struggles to the mainstream.

“We decided to do this talk to start an imperative discussion on Warwick’s campus that has been missing for Queer People of Colour for a long time. The event itself was very successful as we had a great turnout and positive feedback.”