Peripheral

I have adopted a "watching" brief reguarding the Gay groups to which I have belonged. This was prompted by their indifference to the murder of George Floyd and the resurgence of Black Lives Matter and their dismissal of my requests to address ethnicity in their activities. In the case of the Fae, an argument with their defacto leader precipitated an instant withdrawal, with ECC it has been more gradual as I realised how little they've developed in over thirty years.

Today, I found myself 'liking' a FB post about Botswana's government rejecting an attempt to recriminalise LGBTQ relationships. I was shocked to then find that not only was it on the Fae page, but it had been posted by its 'High Priest'(sic) himself. I thought about it briefly before un-liking the post. I have noticed that few of the couple of thousand members ever participate in the FB group, part of me did not want it to seem more interesting that it is (LOL). I just did not want to connect with that person, even on FB. The information about Botswana was all over FB so I was able to share my congrats on another page.

Later, I got an unusual request asking me to be a 'Group Specialist' ( or something) for ECC sent by a friend who had been on the 'cause for concern' list for a few years after he cut himself off from groups etc. Everyone is pleased that he has resurfaced apparently unscathed. I told him I was uninterested because of ECC's continued lack of diversity. The Fae may be a mess, but that's because they do try new things and include a wider group of people, ECC seems to produce  aspic or amber in which to fix their experiences. Several of them seem actively afraid of women and they're almost all 'of a certain age'. My friend accepted my position and agreed with me about ECC's lack of development and diversity. It was interesting that he explained his reason for asking me as being because of my reputation as a community organiser. I have a mixed response to that: I know that people are aware of my abilities, but the need to curb and direct me is strong and often accompanied by not acknowledging my contributions and sidelining me when I am no longer of immediate use. -That isn't going to happen any more: I don't mind if ALL I do is be a good foster carer.

It would be nice to find a group willing and able to explore sexuality, ethnicity and community, but very unlikely for one to be found up here. I keep having thoughts about trying to create something online, but it would make more sense to make sure there isn't already something out there to which I could contribute or simply be part of. Until then, I will maintain my peripheral experiences of these groups in case they actually change and develop for the better.