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GAY FLAMES

@gayflames / gayflames.tumblr.com

Images and texts from gay liberation
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On May 16th, 2012, just prior to the NATO summit in Chicago, three Occupy activists were arrested and eventually charged with 11 felony counts, including four under the never-before-used Illinois terrorism statute. Brian “Jacob” Church, Brent Betterly, and Maya Chase (formerly Jared Chase) came to be known as the NATO 3. The case went to trial in January of 2014, and the NATO 3 were acquitted of all of the terrorism charges. Unfortunately, the jury found them guilty of two felonies each—possession of an incendiary device with the intent to commit arson and possession of an incendiary device with the knowledge that another intended to commit arson. They were given sentences ranging from 5 to 8 years. Brent Betterly is the second of the three to be released. He is scheduled to rejoin us in late April or early May. Please donate to his release fund to help ease the transition after 3 years behind bars. Donations are needed to help pay for Brent's living expenses while he works to get back on his feet during the immediate aftermath of his incarceration. Brent is also the father of a small child who lives several states away and needs funds to help remain in contact with him.
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Eric McDavid is an anarchist and environmental activist who was entrapped by an FBI informant and charged with a single count of “conspiracy to use fire or explosives to damage corporate and government property”. In May of 2008 Eric was sentenced to an outrageous 19 years and 7 months in prison. On January 8th, 2015, after serving 9 years in prison his judgment and sentencing were vacated when it became known that the FBI had failed to disclose potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense. Eric plead guilty to a lesser charge that carried a 5 year maximum sentence and was released almost immediately. This incredible victory occurred because we all refused to give up the struggle to set him free. Thank you to all of you who have supported Eric during these last 9 years. Despite the heavy-handed repression of the state, Eric refused to compromise his politics or his integrity, just as all of us who supported him refused to abandon the struggle to see him free. But the struggle is not over. Though Eric is no longer held in a prison cell he is faced with the difficult task of rebuilding his life after a lengthy period of incarceration. We are hoping to aid him by raising money so that he can go to school, get a job and begin the process of physical and emotional healing from his time in prison. Below is a list of Eric’s estimated expenses for the next 6 months. Your donations are critical to helping Eric get back on his feet. Thank you for your continued solidarity with Eric in his struggle to survive and thrive in the face of injustice. 
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gayflames

Monday 9/8: Call-in against racist repression and censorship in Indiana prisons!

RACISM IN INDIANA’S PRISONS MUST BE STOPPED The Indiana Department of Corrections is taking cruel and racist actions in a number of their prisons. A New Afrikan prisoner was recently transferred from New Castle (because of their intolerance of his political organizing) to Pendleton, where Internal Affairs are seeking revenge on him for past political organizing.  He is being threatened with state court for alleged weapons possession, while many members of the Aryan Brotherhood have recently been caught with upwards of 5 knives each and been only lightly penalized by comparison. Another prisoner at New Castle dared to organize against the for-profit prison’s lack of transitional programming and transfer-to-population opportunities.  For this, he was transferred back to the Secure Housing Unit, where he’s now indefinitely locked up in solitary confinement. These men are clearly being targeted and excessively punished by a chauvinist administration which allows racist groups to form and thrive within their walls while snuffing out any and all sparks of radical organizing. New Castle’s mailroom is another venue for racism and subjugation; it’s standard procedure for them to throw away or deny prisoners access to anything of an explicitly political/revolutionary nature, as well as anything related to black liberation and/or black empowerment.  This blatantly racist repression will not be tolerated! Additionally, Pendleton recently implemented a ludicrous new policy regarding the books prisoners are allowed to receive: they’re currently accepting publications from only three bookstores, two of which are religious (one Christian, one Islamic).  This is obviously a move to stifle political action, as radical reading materials are invaluable in fostering connections between prisoners and enabling political organizing in an isolating environment. Today, Monday, September 8th, join us in protest: call in to the DOC office to demand that they abolish the stifling of radical politics/black empowerment through mailroom censorship, and allow inmates to receive books from any publisher they choose. Call-in numbers: DOC central office: #(317) 233-6984 Pendleton mailroom supervisor: #(765) 778-2107 extn.1264

TODAY! Please call!

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gayflames

Monday 9/8: Call-in against racist repression and censorship in Indiana prisons!

RACISM IN INDIANA’S PRISONS MUST BE STOPPED The Indiana Department of Corrections is taking cruel and racist actions in a number of their prisons. A New Afrikan prisoner was recently transferred from New Castle (because of their intolerance of his political organizing) to Pendleton, where Internal Affairs are seeking revenge on him for past political organizing.  He is being threatened with state court for alleged weapons possession, while many members of the Aryan Brotherhood have recently been caught with upwards of 5 knives each and been only lightly penalized by comparison. Another prisoner at New Castle dared to organize against the for-profit prison’s lack of transitional programming and transfer-to-population opportunities.  For this, he was transferred back to the Secure Housing Unit, where he’s now indefinitely locked up in solitary confinement. These men are clearly being targeted and excessively punished by a chauvinist administration which allows racist groups to form and thrive within their walls while snuffing out any and all sparks of radical organizing. New Castle’s mailroom is another venue for racism and subjugation; it’s standard procedure for them to throw away or deny prisoners access to anything of an explicitly political/revolutionary nature, as well as anything related to black liberation and/or black empowerment.  This blatantly racist repression will not be tolerated! Additionally, Pendleton recently implemented a ludicrous new policy regarding the books prisoners are allowed to receive: they’re currently accepting publications from only three bookstores, two of which are religious (one Christian, one Islamic).  This is obviously a move to stifle political action, as radical reading materials are invaluable in fostering connections between prisoners and enabling political organizing in an isolating environment. Today, Monday, September 8th, join us in protest: call in to the DOC office to demand that they abolish the stifling of radical politics/black empowerment through mailroom censorship, and allow inmates to receive books from any publisher they choose. Call-in numbers: DOC central office: #(317) 233-6984 Pendleton mailroom supervisor: #(765) 778-2107 extn.1264

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gayflames

Monday 9/8: Call-in against racist repression and censorship in Indiana prisons!

RACISM IN INDIANA’S PRISONS MUST BE STOPPED The Indiana Department of Corrections is taking cruel and racist actions in a number of their prisons. A New Afrikan prisoner was recently transferred from New Castle (because of their intolerance of his political organizing) to Pendleton, where Internal Affairs are seeking revenge on him for past political organizing.  He is being threatened with state court for alleged weapons possession, while many members of the Aryan Brotherhood have recently been caught with upwards of 5 knives each and been only lightly penalized by comparison. Another prisoner at New Castle dared to organize against the for-profit prison’s lack of transitional programming and transfer-to-population opportunities.  For this, he was transferred back to the Secure Housing Unit, where he’s now indefinitely locked up in solitary confinement. These men are clearly being targeted and excessively punished by a chauvinist administration which allows racist groups to form and thrive within their walls while snuffing out any and all sparks of radical organizing. New Castle’s mailroom is another venue for racism and subjugation; it’s standard procedure for them to throw away or deny prisoners access to anything of an explicitly political/revolutionary nature, as well as anything related to black liberation and/or black empowerment.  This blatantly racist repression will not be tolerated! Additionally, Pendleton recently implemented a ludicrous new policy regarding the books prisoners are allowed to receive: they’re currently accepting publications from only three bookstores, two of which are religious (one Christian, one Islamic).  This is obviously a move to stifle political action, as radical reading materials are invaluable in fostering connections between prisoners and enabling political organizing in an isolating environment. Today, Monday, September 8th, join us in protest: call in to the DOC office to demand that they abolish the stifling of radical politics/black empowerment through mailroom censorship, and allow inmates to receive books from any publisher they choose. Call-in numbers: DOC central office: #(317) 233-6984 Pendleton mailroom supervisor: #(765) 778-2107 extn.1264

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Monday 9/8: Call-in against racist repression and censorship in Indiana prisons!

RACISM IN INDIANA’S PRISONS MUST BE STOPPED The Indiana Department of Corrections is taking cruel and racist actions in a number of their prisons. A New Afrikan prisoner was recently transferred from New Castle (because of their intolerance of his political organizing) to Pendleton, where Internal Affairs are seeking revenge on him for past political organizing.  He is being threatened with state court for alleged weapons possession, while many members of the Aryan Brotherhood have recently been caught with upwards of 5 knives each and been only lightly penalized by comparison. Another prisoner at New Castle dared to organize against the for-profit prison’s lack of transitional programming and transfer-to-population opportunities.  For this, he was transferred back to the Secure Housing Unit, where he’s now indefinitely locked up in solitary confinement. These men are clearly being targeted and excessively punished by a chauvinist administration which allows racist groups to form and thrive within their walls while snuffing out any and all sparks of radical organizing. New Castle’s mailroom is another venue for racism and subjugation; it’s standard procedure for them to throw away or deny prisoners access to anything of an explicitly political/revolutionary nature, as well as anything related to black liberation and/or black empowerment.  This blatantly racist repression will not be tolerated! Additionally, Pendleton recently implemented a ludicrous new policy regarding the books prisoners are allowed to receive: they’re currently accepting publications from only three bookstores, two of which are religious (one Christian, one Islamic).  This is obviously a move to stifle political action, as radical reading materials are invaluable in fostering connections between prisoners and enabling political organizing in an isolating environment. Today, Monday, September 8th, join us in protest: call in to the DOC office to demand that they abolish the stifling of radical politics/black empowerment through mailroom censorship, and allow inmates to receive books from any publisher they choose. Call-in numbers: DOC central office: #(317) 233-6984 Pendleton mailroom supervisor: #(765) 778-2107 extn.1264

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gayflames

Help Niara get her name change!

Niara is a black trans woman imprisoned in Pennsylvania. Currently, she is struggling to get the money together so she can afford the legal fees associated with changing her name to match her gender identity.

PLEASE, if you can spare ever a few dollars, send her some money to help with these costs!

TO DONATE 1. Go to https://jpay.com/. 2. Type state and inmate ID: Pennsylvania, KU1265 3. Click the name of the prisoner: Herman Burton 4. Register an account 5. Send money

How can this be better edited to not out the person’s birth name all willy nilly

On the internet

Like

Unfortunately, when trans people are imprisoned, the prison does not accept their name. If we did not post her legal name when encouraging people to write to her or donate money, she would not be able to receive any of the letters or money people send to her. Please learn about trans imprisonment before ranting on the internet next time please.

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gayflames

Help Niara get her name change!

Niara is a black trans woman imprisoned in Pennsylvania. Currently, she is struggling to get the money together so she can afford the legal fees associated with changing her name to match her gender identity.

PLEASE, if you can spare ever a few dollars, send her some money to help with these costs!

TO DONATE 1. Go to https://jpay.com/. 2. Type state and inmate ID: Pennsylvania, KU1265 3. Click the name of the prisoner: Herman Burton 4. Register an account 5. Send money

Hey

any word on Niara’s updated mailing address?

Herman Burton #KU1265 10745 Route 18 Albion, PA 16475-0002 [address envelope to Herman Burton, letter/card to Niara]

All mailing address updates get posted to Niara's support site immediately after she is transferred.

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Queeresist held a demonstration through The Hague in solidarity with Luke.  They released this statement:

The United States government has a shameful record of turning a blind eye to violence against queer and trans people, while mercilessly locking up any queer or trans people who dare to defend themselves. Just at the beginning of this year, CeCe McDonald was released from a men’s prison in the United States; she had been sentenced to 41 months for defending herself from a racist and transphobic attack, and hers is only one case of many.

We are taking to the streets to spread word about Luke’s case in particular and the problem of homophobic and transphobic violence, with state complicity, in general. We are calling for all the charges against Luke O’Donovan to be dropped. We also want to send him a message of support and show our support for self-defense against homophobic and transphobic attacks.

                             The demonstration started at the Koekamp, went on a route through the center of The Hague, and ended in front of the US Embassy.

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bshtnr

Today, Luke accepted a negotiated non-cooperating plea deal and was sentenced to ten years. He will serve two in prison and eight on probation. As a last minute addition to this plea deal, Judge Markle added that Luke was to be banned from the state of Georgia, save one county, for the duration of his probation. He was taken away from us, and to prison immediately after court.

Read the rest and about how to continue to support Luke by following the link.

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djbitchcraft

Updates On Luke O’Donovan:

The case has moved slowly through the court system. In April, Luke was re-indicted with an additional charge, and now faces five charges of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one charge of attempted murder. After over a year of waiting, Luke’s self-defense immunity hearing occurred in July of this year. Luke was denied immunity, but the defense feels that the hearing went well for Luke.

At the immunity hearing, the prosecution made a series of ludicrous claims in order to prop up their case. They made a point of asking every witness whether or not the term “faggot” was offensive, or just a synonym for other “non-offensive” terms like “pussies or bitches,” and later used the word “nigger” as another example of a “non-offensive” term. The prosecution’s attempt to neutralize such blatantly homophobic words make it clear that the New Year’s incident is not a singular event, but part of a greater social problem of homophobia.

Since the May 13th immunity hearing, one of the so-called victims in Luke’s trial was seen in footage of a horrific transphobic attack which occurred just outside of the Stratosphere skate shop in Little 5 Points, a neighborhood in northeast Atlanta. This attack captured the interests of media outlets and provoked outrage in many Atlantans. Just a few weeks prior to this attack, two trans women were accosted, beaten, and stripped nude on a MARTA train by a group of men while on their way home. We find these attacks disturbing and wrong — and hope that the incident involving Luke will be understood as a part of this larger context. Following the denial of immunity, the case will now move on to trial by jury. Although Luke was denied immunity, we are still hopeful that the trial will proceed favorably for Luke. While the burden of evidence for the immunity hearing rested upon the defense (Luke and his lawyer and witnesses), the burden of evidence for the trial will rest on the prosecution. At trial, arguments for self-defense can still be made. We have just received notice that the trial will begin on Monday, August 11.

In the year and a half since the incident, much has been accomplished: the original media narrative which painted Luke as a deranged aggressor was successfully challenged; over thirteen thousand dollars have been raised; and people across the country and the world have displayed their support. In the week and a half until trial, we have a lot more to do. We ask for your continued support in whatever ways you can provide it:

- We are still $200 short for legal fees. This is a menial sum compared with the amount that has been raised since Luke was first arrested, but we still need to cover this cost. Any amount will help. You can donate here. – There will soon be a pre-written postcard that everyone can send to the judge (through Luke’s lawyer) presiding over Luke’s case. The postcard is an effort to make clear to the judge that many people are watching and care about Luke’s case. Although a jury will decide the verdict (guilty or not) on Luke’s case, the judge will give the sentence. Letters of support and appeal to the judge may therefore have influence over Luke’s sentencing in case of a guilty verdict. The postcard will be available in both print and online form. – If you are able to make it to court at 9AM on Monday, August 11, please do. Our presence at court will demonstrate to the judge and jury that Luke has many supporters who love and care about him and the issue at stake. Court will be held at the Superior Court of Fulton County, 136 Pryor Street, S.W., Suite C-640. Please come in appropriate court attire. – Please stay tuned for updates on Luke. Whether it be for a happy celebration or the beginning of long-term support, Luke will continue to need your help after the trial.

Thanks for everything.

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gayflames

If you can make it to this, please do!

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Help Niara get her name change!

Niara is a black trans woman imprisoned in Pennsylvania. Currently, she is struggling to get the money together so she can afford the legal fees associated with changing her name to match her gender identity.

PLEASE, if you can spare ever a few dollars, send her some money to help with these costs!

TO DONATE 1. Go to https://jpay.com/. 2. Type state and inmate ID: Pennsylvania, KU1265 3. Click the name of the prisoner: Herman Burton 4. Register an account 5. Send money

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Free Marius Jacob Mason

We would like to let everyone know that Marius Jacob Mason will no longer be using the name Marie, and will be using male pronouns. We hope that you will all join us in supporting Marius through this transition, which will no doubt be extra challenging within the prison system. Until his name is legally changed, any mail sent to Marius in prison will still need to be addressed to ‘Marie Mason’ on…
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gayflames

In case you didn't know already. FREE MARIUS AND ALL PRISONERS!

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lumpenfag

We are very pleased to announce the release of the second issue of the journal Bædan, as well as the free distribution of the first issue through the Anarchist Library.

In many ways, Bædan – a queer journal of heresy picks up where Bædan – journal of queer nihilism left off. Much remains invariant: the form, a general disposition toward hostility, and of course fiery gestures against Gender and Civilization (and all the theories, views of history, and identities which hold them together). Bædan – a queer journal of heresy, does however, take leave of the first by exploring new inquiries and critiques. In this issue we take aim at all manner of radical dogmas, ideologies, and sciences, while also exploring the the worlds of poetics, archetypes, and myth. The new issue is also an engagement with a constellation of recent anarchist endeavors to explore the hell we all inhabit. We remain obviously inspired by conversations within the anti-civilization and nihilist milieu, by recent developments in anarchist thought, by correspondence and critique, and by the actions and words of comrades who are imprisoned or remain at large.

If the first issue of Bædan was a knife thrust wildly in the dark, the second is an effort to examine our enemies in a new light; enemies who bear scars yet endure. In a sense, this issue follows through our initial attack and pushes beyond our own horrors at the consequences of words. We write at a time when everything which seemed slightly possible two years ago has borne its rotten fruit; when queer recuperation has become more powerful and accepted than ever, while the fetish for technology has reached an unprecedented frenzy; when so many efforts at subversion languish under the tyranny of cybernetic identity and aesthetics (even our own etymologies have become identities!); when friends turn away out of fear of the unknown, turn toward all the comforts and certainties of the past (identity politics, traditionalism, religious morality, activism, et al). The old enemies rear their heads and the terrain is as bleak as ever. And yet we take seriously that adage: “There’s no need to fear or hope, but only to look for new weapons.”

Bædan – a queer journal of heresy, over two hundred pages of original content including: a scathing critique of gender and domestication, an exploration of the poetry of Percy Shelley, a vindication of anality and the fecal decomposition of society, an experiment with anarchist rituals and nihilist archetypes, correspondence (friendly and otherwise), and a new translation of Guy Hocquenghem.

- – -

Bædan – a queer journal of heresy is available from LBC: littleblackcart.com/baedan-2.html

Bædan – journal of queer nihilism can be found for online at: theanarchistlibrary.org/authors/baedan

If you are in Seattle or the Bay Area you can also contact us directly for copies.

[the name of the journal][at]riseup[dot]net

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Millions of cars lined up in traffic jams, massive industrial pollution, concrete poured on nature to make space for highways, rail-tracks, shopping malls, prisons, schools and technological sites; toxic and nuclear waste poured in rivers and on the earth, genetically modified animals used in scientific experiments or for organ transplants, millions of other animals imprisoned and killed every year to satisfy futile consumerism; expropriation of peoples’ lands in Africa, Asia and South America by western governments and multinationals, wars waged to grab the last energy resources, new chemical and technological weapons tested on entire populations by imperialist powers, chemicals and carcinogens in the food we eat, genetically modified plants bombarded with pesticides to boost production, forests raised to the ground to make space for intensive one-crop plantations and gold mines… IS THIS PROGRESS OR DEVASTATION? Long years spent in schools, offices, factories not much different form prisons, or in front of cell phone screens, computers and TV, entrapped in a flat life made of work, family and programmed entertainment, we are turning into machines that produce and consume and are becoming accomplices of a system that kills and devastates the world, in exchange for miserable technological comforts that can’t make us happy. IS THIS FREEDOM OR ALIENATION? Always on the side of those who ‘still have ears for things unheard’, are always rebel and hostile to the power of civilization, and choose to act for a free and wild life. SOLIDARITY WITH GIANLUCA AND ADRIANO Anarchists in prison accused of sabotage and incendiary attacks on banks, energy multinationals (ENI, ENEL) and companies that exploit animals and the earth.

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