We're continuing through the winter! However, all three facilitators are lazy slobs (and by all three I mean just myself) who haven't compiled class information yet- therefore, hold tight, something will appear on here in less than a week with info about what's going on. Thanks for yr patience! -brendan

A merging of the past free school discussion groups based around feminism and masculinity/anti-patriarchy, this class is an open-to-absolutely-everyone romp through a multitude of topics relating to feminism. In past years there had been talk of bringing both groups together, and so we thought it would be a perfect time to collaborate our energies into supporting and challenging our visions of social change together.

Our class objective: To create an anti-oppressive and safer space to discuss, analyze and organize around issues pertaining to feminism*. *The definition of feminism is left open.

Whether you're interested in unlearning the ways we've been socialized, taking direct action against patriarchy in your community, looking to learn about a history of resistance to oppression, or have no idea what any of the things I just wrote down mean.... we invite you to join in a wide range of discussions.

Our hopes are that you, the participants, will be able to talk about the kind of issues you want to see discussed in the class, and that we'll be able to form a curriculum based around the needs and interests of the people involved. We're not here to stand at the front of a (makeshift) classroom and deliver lectures, we're here to help everyone address the issues they feel are important.

That being said, some issues that may very well come up include: patriarchy, colonialism, sexual violence, media portrayal of sexuality, homophobia, queerness, monogamy, polyamoury, mainstream images of feminine and masculine beauty, reproductive and sexual freedom, the sex industry, DIY sexuality, allies, as well as many, many, many more.

In the process of discussing these issues, we may talk about things that are scary/uncomfortable. While we must all be willing to confront each other as problems arise, it is important that we do so in a way that is as non-judgmental and productive as possible. We are all here to learn, entering the class with very diverse experience and knowledge.

We are direct action oriented! We don't want to merely talk about these issues, but to develop/discuss/commit to tools for change and ways we can become better allies in the fight against patriarchy and for striving towards an equal and just society. This class is not intended to merely analyze individual relationships, but instead to tie personal experiences into the broader scope of things and to talk about how issues affect us both on a personal and systemic level.

Course syllabus coming soon! A week-by-week breakdown of class topics may also surface in a few weeks!

Classes will be held at the Guelph Resource Center for Gender Empowerment and Diversity on the University of Guelph Campus every Tuesday night at 7-9pm, longer or shorter depending on the timetables of participants. We want to try and make this class as accessible as possible for you, and therefore will also try to offer bus tickets to non students.

Thanks for your interest, we hope to see you soon!

Please direct any questions to one (or all) of the class facilitators:

alissa watt alissa.watt@gmail.com

jack hixson-vulpe j.hixson.v@gmail.com

brendan arnott brendan-arnott@hotmail.com

-- AnarchistUGuelph - 17 Feb 2008