Queering Vodou

[bcholmes]

Several months ago, I ordered a book called Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Participation in African-Inspired Traditions in the Americas. It's an interesting book, and more than just a bit timely, I think.

I suppose that, in some part, this text represents my response to the notion of "Don't ask; don't tell"; I believe it is extremely hypocritical to condemn this policy when it is promoted by the U.S. military and yet to accept it when it is promoted by spiritual communities. Moreover, I believe it is equally hypocritical to express offense agains ethnic bigotry while permitting bigotry pertaining to women, lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender and transsexual persons to continue in the name of 'tradition', or excusing such prejudice on the grounds that these expressions of identity or subjectivity were unknown among the original pratitioners -- a case that has been made by fundamentalist Christians and others. Encountering this bigotry and the internalized phobias that are fed by it firsthand has been disheartening. I am also deeply troubled by those well-meaning practitioners who (such as the babalawo I met whose household has, since its foundation, opened its doors to queer persons) insist that 'it is not an issue', when clearly, beyond the confines of certain spiritual households, 'it' most assuredly is an 'issue'.

Comments

Thank you !

[ogungrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh! Wow! I must read this. I am so glad you brought it to my attention.

Re: Thank you !

[bcholmes.livejournal.com]

Glad to help. Would I be prying if I asked what your experience has been?