Abolition Feminism: Imagining a Violence-Free Future
Saturday, April 15, 10AM–2PM PST
On Zoom — Link sent 24 hours before event
Featuring: Alexia Sambrano, Sinclair Sexsmith, Leroy Mitchell, and Drew Valentine
Free
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In collaboration with violence prevention educator, artist, and organizer Alexia Sambrano (they/them), this symposium focuses on the question of what a violence-free society may look like within an abolitionist framework, and what it takes to get there. We aim to facilitate an imaginative conversation around restorative justice, trauma-informed care, prison and police abolition, community healing, and mutual aid.
The Symposium will center discussions on queer survivorship; abolition and community; trauma, BDSM, and healing; reimagining safety in a post-pandemic world; and more. The Symposium will feature a talk with Sinclair Sexsmith (they/them) about Trauma-Informed BDSM, and a discussion on mutual aid and survival with Drew Aliyah Valentine (any/all).
Event participants are invited to ask questions, contribute to the conversations facilitated, and be in community with our contributors and with one another. This event is an opportunity to learn about the experiences and contributions of others, to learn, and to challenge their own assumptions, biases, and beliefs about an abolitionist framework to ending sexual violence and gender- and power-based harm.
Sessions Overview
10 — Introduction
10:15—11:15
Prison is Gender Violence: Abolition from a Queer Survivor’s Perspective
Alexia Sambrano
How do processes of criminalization result in disproportionate harm and trauma for queer, trans, and gender nonconforming people? How does the “perfect victim” narrative impact queer, trans, and gender nonconforming survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual violence? Why and how is abolition is a queer liberation issue? A discussion on the state and gender-based violence that queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming individuals experience when engaging with law enforcement, policing, and the broader carceral system as a result of their gender and/or sexuality.
11:20–12:20
The Crises of the Neglected and Ignored: Mutual Aid in a “Post Pandemic World”
Drew Aliyah Valentine
Discussing Dean Spade’s Mutual Aid and the relationship between mutual aid, abolition, and survival.
12:25–1:25
We Keep Us Safe: Manifesting Community Accountability Beyond a Carceral World
Leroy Mitchell
Informed by Black feminist theory, this space will reimagine an accountability that divests from shame and punishment while sharing tools and resources that centers survivors, respects our inherent worth, and provides insight on a world beyond a carceral system.
1:30–2:30
The Sexual Politics of BDSM: Consent, Agency, and Feminism
Sinclair Sexsmith
A look into the theories, communities, and politics behind BDSM. What does it mean to be a feminist dominant or an empowered submissive? And why do we assume that submissives are unempowered, anyway? What’s the difference between BDSM and abuse? Is it healthy to engage in kinky sex play? Sinclair thinks so. BDSM is the pursuit of giving and receiving pleasure through bold sensation, the consensual exchange of temporarily giving up power or taking on authority over another. In this workshop we’ll explore how consent and agency are key issues in feminism, and how they work in the exploration of BDSM. We’ll discuss different kinds of topping and bottoming, as well as theories to to enhance your personal BDSM skills.
2:35 — Closing Remarks
About the speakers
Alexia Sambrano: Born in East Los Angeles, and raised in South Los Angeles, Alexia Sambrano (they/them) earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, and a minor in LGBTQ Studies from the University of Southern California. They are an artist, writer, and organizer with a demonstrated history of working in advocacy, research, prevention education, and outreach. Currently, Alexia is a Violence Prevention Educator with USC Student Health’s Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services Unit. They are also members of the USC Campus Coordinated Response Team, the Center for Gender Equity in Medicine & Science’s Gender and Power-Based Harm Working Group, the Keck Medicine of USC Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee, and Keck Pride. Alexia is a queer, nonbinary, Latine/Chicane, neurodivergent femme who identifies as an educator and student, abolitionist, and feminist. They believe in the power of pleasure and joy in healing, and in queering-everything-the-fuck-up.
Sinclair Sexsmith: Sinclair Sexsmith (they/them) is a writer, speaker, and performer specializing in queer sexualities, genders, and relationships. Since 1996, they have been building queer and feminist online communities through writing and expressive arts. Their experience with queer culture, sexual politics, gender and identity, and embodied sexuality makes Sinclair a skilled presenter, facilitator, and speaker, and they have traveled all around North America, presenting at universities, conferences, community organizations, and retreats. Their topics include relationships, gender, writing, sexual skills, BDSM, and personal liberation. Read more at https://www.mrsexsmith.com and https://www.sugarbutch.net.
Leroy Mitchell: Leroy has extensive experience in working with traditionally marginalized communities — in particular young men of color–with education, career, and identity development. Leveraging his work as a college counselor, and personal experiences as a former college athlete, Leroy builds communities, trains schools and organizations, and holds spaces where people may develop healthy ideals of self and masculinity to manifest their full selves and lead healthy lives.
Drew Valentine: Drew Aliyah Valentine (any/all) is originally from the east coast but has made her way to Los Angeles by way of Nashville where she was earning her Master of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies. Her capstone project entitled “Radical Love and Movement Building Joy: My Journey to Becoming a Full Spectrum Doula Trainee” focused on the intersections of academia, identity, community, and justice-oriented work. Across all of her academic and professional experiences, she has centered Black and Indigenous gender-marginalized folks and the various identities that often intersect with this group. Above all else, she identifies as an educator, abolitionist, and feminist who believes in lifelong learning and grassroots movements.They are a fat, queer, Black, chronically mentally ill femme who is recovering from a previous addiction to formal education, academia, and the Ivory Tower. You can find me adding to my overflowing bookcase and fighting capitalism by way of 3 hour naps in my twin-sized bed.