a QUEER space for ALL by AFIA THOMPSON
With Bahiya Movement all are welcomed, encouraged and sup- ported to be unapologetically them- selves! That is why, in 2023, we decided to pivot our Believe In Self (BIS) program to BIS-QUEER- space. We wanted to give those in the queer community a platform to be free, stand up and have a voice against bullying on all levels. BIS-QUEERspace is a 2-month res- idency designed to provide young artists, ages 18-24, the skills they need to move forward with confi- dence and sustainability. Participants receive mentorship, rehearsal space and equipment (when available), support with works-in-progress, professional coaching, photo ses- sions, a final performance produced in collaboration with the other BIS participants and a stipend upon completion of the program. We pride ourselves on offering a platform where All are Welcome, just be and do YOU, boo-boo!! We understand that people come in many shapes and sizes, not only body types, but personality types as well. Look at Nafi and myself. As mother and daughter we bump heads and don’t always see eye to eye. We communicate through our hiccups and differences. We have attracted cool folks that don’t have drama, and we also are cool dra- ma-free individuals. I have felt out of sorts in groups that state they are focused on dis- mantling white supremacy and sup- porting Black people. I have been shushed, yelled at, bullied, and gas- lit by several white-led organiza- tions in the Bay Area. I have been told by the Black-owned organiza- tions that I will mess it up for them, so just calm down. I have been blacklisted. And this is not just for being queer but for being unapolo- getically myself. We understand that everyone is unique and will always support that uniqueness in YOU! In order to
manage and encourage the many styles of bodies Bahiya works with, we are big on everyone signing code of con- duct agreements: respect yourself and respect others’ opinions and viewpoints. Judgement free zone. We talk through our differences. The same practices that Nafi and I follow for ourselves. As a family owned and operated busi- ness there will be hiccups along the way. Nafi and I have found that com-
for dance. And the remembrance of how it feels to be shamed. Nafi and I have always been told that, “You are a beautiful dancer, but you’re too big, you are too Black and outspoken, you are too opinionated.” We were tired of being looked at as angry Black women. We understood that if we are feel- ing this way, then others are too. So, let's not fight in house, but turn
I have felt out of sorts in groups that state they are focused on dismantling white supremacy and supporting Black people. munication is extremely importnant. Talking through how we are feeling about the programs, participants, cho- reography has kept us going strong for 12 years. Do we have disagree- ments? Sure, most def. Did some toes get stepped on? For sure, still do, just not as much. What is most important is keeping our focus on why do we do this. It’s because of the love we have
our attention on around and direct it towards those that continue to shame “others” like ourselves. From there we attract those that need to be in our family of Bahiya safe haven. By showing the world that we may be bludgeoned, but our head is not bowed! BAHIYA MOVEMENT was founded by Nafi and Afia Thompson, a mother-daughter dynamic duo. Bahiya has zero tolerance for shaming, bullying, silencing and ostracizing BIPOC and LGBTQ++ folks. Dancers are loved for their different expressions of body, gen- der, race and culture. Through accessible training, residencies and showcases Bahiya provides resources to grow art and its impact on the world. To learn more about BIS-QUEER- Space visit bahiyamovement.com/believein- self-queerspace @bahiyamovement_dance
BAHIYA means beautiful in Arabic. We founded Bahiya Movement in 2011 to build a safe haven for those who are typically “other” by white-supremacist culture, which is very present in the performing arts community and beyond.
EDITOR’S NOTE Bahiya Movement is a Spring 2023 CA$H grantee. This article highlights their funded activities and vision.
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In Dance | May 2014 | dancersgroup.org
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