Noora’s Story - 41 | Where to, Marie?

Panels 2-5: The stories recounted by women of their experiences in Helem are consistent with those of many women within various LGBTIQ movements around the world, specifically on the issue of organizational relationships between women and men. While Helem positioned itself in principle against the patriarchal system, the negotiation of resources between gay and lesbian activism reproduced sexist logics. Those patriarchal power relations repeatedly led to disputes over the necessity for women to secede from the organization.

The activists of this wave adopted a critical position vis-a-vis existing feminist organizations, specifically with regards to their complete marginalization of issues related to sexual rights and freedoms. They emphasized the need for “intersectional” discourse in order to be able to achieve liberation for women.