The last post became fragmented due to all the updates as information became available, so a summary post is in order.
ETA: Longer video now released, please read the commentary too.
A group varying between ten to twenty transwomen and genderqueers approached a small group of lesbians, which included LGBT activist Cathy Brennan. Quite a few of the group of transwomen and genderqueers have admitted that they approached the group of lesbians, deliberately, for ‘dialogue’. However, the ‘dialogue’ wanted by the transwomen and genderqueers was for the lesbians and Brennan to capitulate to the trans point of view.
Brennan and the group of about five or six lesbians were quite alarmed at being surrounded by the much larger contingent, outnumbered between two to one, to four to one. There was little that the lesbians could do to defuse the situation, and an attempt at diffusing humour was later twisted into an accusation of “sexual harassment”.
Posts by the transwomen, the genderqueers, and their friends, have tried to spin the story as themselves being the ‘victims of the nasty cis lesbians’. As the much larger and instigating group, this claim is laughable.
The genderqueer who started the confrontation supposedly did so on behalf of a transwoman who was too afraid to speak for themselves. The ‘timid’ transwoman was none other than Ida Hammer, prominent transactivist, co-organiser of the Dyke March, and one who ran a workshop at the recent Philly Trans Health Conference. The claim of the transwoman needing a genderqueer woman to speak on the transwoman’s behalf is also laughable.
One of the transwomen/genderqueer group apologised for the behaviour of her group, but later recanted that apology.
Although there was no physical assault done (battery), the lesbians were alarmed by the much larger group of transwomen/genderqueers who had surrounded them, and threatening behaviour is still assault. Given that it was a lesbian march, the lesbians had every right to be there. Many of the genderqueers were bisexual or heterosexual, and whilst the march was inclusive of both genderqueers and transwomen, they are in fact, not the primary group the march was set up for twenty years ago.
After the incident in the park, the group of lesbians were followed by a smaller contingent from the genderqueer/transwoman group, and intimidated at the restaurant. GenderTrender has a more detailed account of the events of the day.
Incidents such as what occured at the NYC Dyke March last weekend throw doubt on the safety of lesbian spaces, and whether or not lesbians can count on these other groups as allies for LGBT activism or other activities.
Most of the main instigators of the aggressive transwoman/genderqueer group have been identified. I am unsure whether any legal action will follow the events of the weekend, and much of the documentation of the events have been with that in mind. It also serves as documentation for future incidents, if these same people are involved in future harassment or harm towards lesbians at LGBT events.
Some of the original admissions and posts have already been deleted. However, we have saved the URLs, screencaps, and other information if needed. The identities of the aggressors involved was not difficult to find out, given they bragged about the events, claimed they were the victimised ones, and generally spun the story.
.
Holly Renee Reinhart
The instigator of the confrontation was Holly Renee Reinhart, a female genderqueer, who confronted Brennan and the group of lesbians on behalf of a transwoman (Ida Hammer).
Holly Renee Reinhart, 22yo ‘queer’ from Brooklyn. Admission as instigator here, screenshots in previous post. Aka “chub-rub” – Tumblr and Facebook. Is a ‘sex-positive’ and therefore hates radical feminists. Unsure if the ‘queer’ means she is bisexual or lesbian, but does not identify as a lesbian, therefore not the primary group that the march is for. Is wearing the red of the organisers/stewards, and carried the banner (on left).
.
Ida Hammer
The (male-born) transwoman that Reinhart supposedly had to speak up for. Yet Hammer was a co-organiser of Dyke March, as well as being a well-known activist, and ran a workshop at the recent Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, as well as other workshops and training programmes. Hammer’s main area of activism is anti-violence towards transwomen, but does not have a problem intimidating a group of lesbians with vast numbers of back-up. The assertion that Hammer is a timid transwoman too afraid to speak is somewhat doubtful. Hammer is found on Facebook, Twitter, and at The Trans Women’s Anti-Violence Project. Hammer is wearing the red of the organisers/stewards.
.
Allyson Clarke
Was described by the lesbians involved as “the most aggressive” participant. Clarke is a male-born transwoman.
A friend of Clarke’s, “Lori Adorable“, made a post claiming how Clarke is “incredibly conciliatory” regarding the disagreements between transwomen and radfems. Here is a sample of Clarke’s “conciliatory” language: “I have previously taken a very olive-branch-y stance towards radscum.” Here is Clarke’s WordPress, subtitled “A project to end transmisogyny”, but apparently being nasty and aggressive to the female-born (regular misogyny) is ok with Clarke. Yet another hypocritical transactivist. Clarke claims that Brennan sexually harassed Clarke, when Brennan tried to diffuse the situation with some humour. You can see the taller Clarke aggressively arguing with Brennan in the first group photo above.
As an aside, it appears that Lori Adorable is friends with Joelle Ruby Ryan, a misogynist male-born transwoman (a Women’s Studies lecturer that considers the word female to be “transphobic”). Lori Adorable also calls radical feminists “radscum”, so Adorable’s assessment of Clarke’s “conciliatory” conduct is questionable. From Twitter.
.
January Hunt
Male-born transwoman, admits to “yelling at Cathy Brennan” via Twitter. Hunt can be found on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook, as well as other websites such as Amos Mac, Original Plumbing, and TransladyFanzine.
.
Jaime Barak
Jaime Barak, 23yo female genderqueer from New York. Not a lesbian as far as we know.
On Jaime’s Tumblr (glompkitty), the following at the end of the “About”:
If I ever do or say anything triggering or oppressive in any way PLEASE call me on it. The last thing I ever want is to upset or marginalize anyone.
Upsetting a marginalised group of lesbians seems to be fine with Jaime. I therefore ‘call you on it’. I am not clear if Jaime was part of the restaurant stalker group, I could not follow this Tumblr post, but it would indicate that she was. Among the prolific posts by Jaime, was the exchange with fellow Tumblrite onegirlrhumba, agreeing with onegirlrhumba that Brennan should have been punched in the face. Barak can also be found on Facebook.
.
Claire Cramer
Claire Cramer initially apologised for the aggressive group’s behaviour, then recanted the apology in this Tumblr post. Cramer also has another Tumblr, GrossKcupid and a Facebook. Cramer appears to be a bisexual, and focuses on transactivism and LGBT.
.
As yet unidentified member of the restaurant stalkers
More information if/when it becomes available.
.
All the above was pieced together from the trans/queer bragging about the so-called victimisation by lesbians, even though the trans/queers clearly outnumbered and cornered the lesbians – later stalking the lesbians as they went to dinner at a restaurant. The trans/queer activists may want to take note if they decide to commit harassment or other crimes, not to brag about it and leave an internet trail that is easily followed. Narcissism and grandiose behaviour usually gets the perpetrators caught.
This was supposedly meant to a Dyke March, and lesbians are the primary group that the march is for. Instead, lesbians are singled out and harassed by male-born transwomen and female genderqueers. Many of the aggressors were wearing the red of the organisers/stewards, so they were definitely not a marginalised group, or “without a voice” as they often claim. The transgender side of the events were full of lies and reversals, as is typical of transgender narratives.
So are male-born transwomen and genderqueers really the victims?
Photographic evidence says otherwise. Perpetrators and aggressors are what transgender and queer activists really are.
.
Spindoctor Update:
These transactivists should seriously think about a career as presidential campaign managers.
A video has been posted on YouTube, by user ‘transfeminism’*. Although the video itself is only a select portion (with the mob blacked out, can’t show the mob, can we?) the most interesting part was the information posted with the video.
New York City—On June 23, 2012, Ida Hammer approached Cathy Brennan in Washington Square Park after the Dyke March in order to clarify that the NYC Dyke March supports all women whether they are cis, trans or otherwise.
This interaction was prompted by a number of women who attended the march coming up to Ms. Hammer to express concerns about how Ms. Brennan has been targeting women and girls because they are trans. Ms. Hammer asked if these people would like to go talk to Brennan in person.
Ms. Hammer approached Ms. Brennan and said welcome to the New York City Dyke March where we support trans women. Ms. Brennan did not seem intimidated or threatened by this welcome and said she too supports trans women. Ms. Hammer tried to have a discussion with Ms. Brennan about the concerns the women who approached her had with her aggressively targeting and harassing women and girls.
As you can see in this video captured by a bystander, Ms. Hammer is unable to communicate these concerns as Ms. Brennan continues to talk over her. So Ms. Hammer exits the conversation. Ms. Brennan continues to talk with the other women moving to another area of the park.
Later that night, Ms. Hammer posted on Twitter:
“The @NYCDykeMarch is for ALL women! All self-identified women are welcome. All lesbian, bi and queer women whether cis or trans.”
Ms. Brennan replied on Twitter:
“@IdaHammer @NYCDykeMarch except wbw are not welcome. And you assaulted me. Well done dyke march! Video forthcoming.”
Ms. Brennan is encouraged to post the video she has of her interaction with Ms. Hammer as a video response.
Ms. Hammer has not interacted with Ms. Brennan before or after the conversation at Washington Square Park, yet Ms. Brennan has since been aggressively targeting Ms. Hammer with the very harassment that Ms. Hammer wanted to have a discussion about with Ms. Brennan.
So the usual “poor little silenced transwoman” spin was not working, perhaps because I had pointed out in the previous post that it really was a tall tale. This version has a bit more credibility, ‘Hammer as spokesperson for a group of concerned male-born transwomen’ – but really, did Hammer need an entire posse largely made up of other organisers/stewards, and half of them genderqueer and not transwomen? How about backing Brennan and the lesbians against a natural park barrier so they could not escape this ‘dialogue’?
Many inconsistencies remain.
* The YouTube user ‘transfeminism’ I am told by GallusMag, is none other than Ida Hammer – speaking in the 3rd person of course!
Excellent article. Solid reporting and good writing. I especially liked the line “Narcissim and grandiose behaviour usually gets the perpetrators caught.”
LikeLike
Because it’s true!
And transwomen are among the most narcissist that I have seen on the internet, always posting about themselves, TMI.
Ironically, ones like Tobi Hill-Meyer post pictures of his ‘ladypeen’ on the internet, then complain when it is reposted. I am just awaiting chub-rub’s complaint that her topless image has been reposted on the internet.
Here’s the tip – if you don’t want naked pictures of yourself on the internet, don’t post them, and don’t skip down NYC effectively topless.
I am sure that future potential employers of these people will put their applications instantly into the ‘reject’ pile.
LikeLike
This whole thing is disgraceful. Bunch of violent, abusive, delusional, lying, spoilt brat little white boys.
But what I still can’t get my head round is the level of support they get, despite the obvious lies and threatening behaviour that they engage in. Are any of the libfem queer brigade calling them out over this at all ?
LikeLike
I think the odd supportive (to us) posts may have been from more middle-ground ones, but I don’t frequent Tumblr, so could not say for certain.
LikeLike
Pingback: Carrying a Sheila Jeffreys sign at Dyke March is inappropriate? What? | Radfem Hub
Pingback: Ida E. Hammer SPINS « You think I just don't understand, but I don't believe you.
Dave, thank you for your support here. I very much appreciate it.
LikeLike
Excellent reporting Davina. Shine a spotlight on these people and what they stand for.
LikeLike
THIS write up is brilliant and I thank you for the detailed work it all took.
LikeLike
Just to alert everyone, I posted an update at the end of the post. I call this the Spindoctor Update.
Hey, if one story doesn’t work, try another!
*Shame* about us having the proof of the first version though. 😛
LikeLike
Also, given that chub-rub, a genderqueer not lesbian, was a banner holder, I have to question whether any of the banner holders were indeed lesbians, and not genderqueers, bisexuals or transwomen?
LikeLike
Mitchell Mora, a dude of Brooklyn NY, left this charming comment:
Dude, you are a moron. He even used his Facebook account to make the comment.
He must be all of about 12.
And yes, I have no qualms exposing harassers. It is the subject of the post after all.
LikeLike
Great Post Davina. Thank you for reporting this.
LikeLike
“Although there was no physical assault done, the lesbians were alarmed by the much larger group of transwomen/genderqueers who had surrounded them.”
Just to clarify: The criminal act of assault is: “an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact”
So assault is the act of inflicting fear of harm or offensive contact. This incident, although no battery occurred, fits the very definition of assault: deliberate infliction of distress and apprehension of harmful contact. It is criminal. Not to mention the additional acts of harassment, terroristic threats, etc. which should be prosecuted as a Hate Crime since Cathy was TARGETED SPECIFICALLY for her lesbian feminism. It was a BIAS crime by definition.
LikeLike
Thanks for the clarification. I’m never sure of you 50-different-state laws over there!
I edited it to:
Although there was no physical assault done (battery), the lesbians were alarmed by the much larger group of transwomen/genderqueers who had surrounded them, and threatening behaviour is still assault.
LikeLike
Although I am not a lesbian and am really only just beginning to learn about the needs of our lesbian sisters, I am a newly radicalized radfem. Had I been at that march in support of my lesbian sisters, I would not have let our sisters (Cathy Brennan and her small group) be bullied and threatened like that by wannabe women without making one hell of a huge stink. My step-granddaughter, who said she would kill herself rather than be forced into motherhood, has recently “come out”. So an attack against lesbians is not only an attack against female-born women and an act of lesbian hatred, it is an attack against one of MY family.
LikeLike
Pingback: 137 « Radical Feminist Memes
Pingback: 139 « Radical Feminist Memes
What did that one clown say? “WHY THE FUCK IS THIS BITCH IN MY STATE. GET OUT.I swear to Amon if I see Cathy Brennan anywhere in NYC y’all are gonna see headlines.”
ROFL. Her state?! Well I’m a Native New Yorker too. Born and raised. Just like my daddy and grandparents before me. That makes me a 3rd generation born New Yorker. As in the city, not just the state. I don’t claim to own the city, much less the entire state, but I think I’m entitled to some say-so as to who can visit and who can’t. I say everyone is welcome there, including Cathy Brennan. As for headlines, the only headlines you’re going to be reading are “Delusional Girl, Who Believes Men Can Be Women, Gets Admitted to Bellevue For Psychiatric Evaluation. Charges Are Pending After She Threatens To Stab Those Who Don’t Share Her Delusion.”
Allies, my ass. SCAMs are nothing more than Men’s Rights Activists in frocks. They are anti-female, anti-feminist and homophobic. They have no business being at a Dyke March. They are the exact opposite of what a dyke march is all about. They have more in common with conservative wing nuts and the religious right. Pass the Kool-Aid.
LikeLike
Thank you luckynkl!
LikeLike
Excellent work in identifying the perps who invaded and assailed Ms. Brennan.
LikeLike
Quoting a bit from the article found by GallusMag
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=local&sc2=reviews&sc3=&id=134547
Of course, after reading that the ‘genderqueer’ contingent called themselves “The Hole-y Army”, my radfem eyes just hit the monitor. The second wave worked really hard for females to be seen more than just the sex class for fucking and breeding, and here are the ‘cutting edge queers’ proudly reclaiming female as just holes to be fucked.
Take your ‘new-fangled’ bullshit, and shove it, Hole-y Army.
LikeLike
The hideous video of them here
“we’re here, we’re fabulous, please fuck with us, we’re holes”
At a Dyke March.
*facepalm*
(and ripping off “FABulous” much are we?)
LikeLike
Found here.
LOVE IT.
LikeLike
A Tumblr summary of the content of the video http://vimeo.com/44796073
http://altonym.tumblr.com/post/26042047967/that-cathy-brennan-video-devoid-of-meaningful
LikeLike
Absolutely revolting group of degenerate trash.
That nerdy little bastard who kept running his mouth, and calling himself a “lesbian”, is the biggest joke EVER. He’s just another pathetic dude who couldn’t get laid in high school, so he’s cooked up the whole trans image to bully unfortunate lesbians in to going to bed with his ugly ass. Of course, idiots like that slob who was running around without a top buy into the scam; no questions asked.
I don’t know how any biological male can say “I am female and lesbian” with a straight face. That is majorly fucked up. Oh, and accusing her of sexual harassment? Yeah right! He wishes that some woman, ANY woman, would look upon him with something other than revulsion. Disgusting little creep!
Oh, and what was with that “check yourself” bullshit? He needs to check his own damned self…starting with the contents of his underwear. Females aren’t born with cock-n-balls; A biological FACT that trannies love to dismiss as “transphobic”.
LikeLike
Ones like AllyHat yes, seem to be using the trans case as a way of getting laid by unsuspecting ‘genderqueer’ females. He certainly is not putting a lot of effort into the faux-woman thing (in other words, he is technically ‘genderqueer’ and not ‘transwoman’). But this is the problem with the whole transgender movement, anything and everything goes – and they are relying on public sympathy to do it.
ETA: LOL to this BS, he’s a “butch lesbian”
http://nutsandboltsoftrans.tumblr.com/post/26046173493/first-of-all-fyi-im-a-trans-woman-secondly-you
LikeLike
http://nutsandboltsoftrans.tumblr.com/post/26127757666/to-the-anon-who-called-you-a-dude-meaning-a-man-i
Okay, this privilege-denying tranny is OFFICIALLY on my shit list. I shall compose metaphoric smoke to blow up his pathetic, geeky ass.
LikeLike
Pingback: maybe they should rename it the wannabe march « You think I just don't understand, but I don't believe you.