In 2004 the 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