Since I moved to seattle I have met some wonderful punk rock guys. These men have helped me grow by sharing their views on issues of sexuality, sex work, revolution and action. I want to thank you guys for being so kick ass.

But I have also been exposed to a lot of sexism in this community. Most of the sexism I have experienced has been men making comments to me such as “wanna see my nipples,” “wanna watch a dirty movie,” and some comments about my ability to piss outside while standing up. I know you were not trying to attack me while saying these comments. You were trying to make me uncomfortable and, in my discomfort, you could relish in your ostensible dominance. At a game of punk rock soccer, one guy started to call another guy a “pussy” for not being stronger. Even with all these tough womyn around, I was the only one who said “what’s wrong with being a pussy?” This just showed me how complacent our community is. Later, at a party, an all male punk band began to play a song called “I wanna rape judge judy.” Had it been judge john, rape would have not been the tool used to destroy him. A racist parallel to this sexist song would have been something like “I wanna burn a cross in front of Montel’s house.” You would have never sang a song like this because you would not want to be implicated with white supremacists or nazis… but you have no problem declaring yourself a rapist. One guy on the street said “hey, baby, how you doing?” and when I didn’t respond, he followed me down the street shouting “what? Am I not punk enough for you?” Quite frankly, NO YOU AREN’T! You expect me to respond to you, to service you. I serve no masters, asshole.

Punk is the rejection of mainstream society. Your comments and attitude is no different than what I get everyday from rich white boys driving by in their SUV’s, from cops who sexually harass me, my boss, my male co-workers, my father, from men on the street who make comments to me as I walk by. You aren’t doing anything out of the ordinary, quite frankly. And I expect more from “anarchists” than to act like the fascists they claim to hate. Are you really anti-authoritarian? Then why are you trying to establish some sort of dominance over me? Why do you keep this spirit of oppression alive?

If you think punk is merely about being rude to people with no consideration for the motives behind your actions, than what you really are is a frat boy hiding in studded leather and a mohawk. But if you really are against authority and programming, then you need to first recognize yourself as privileged and you need to reject that privilege. In order to reject your privilege, you need to be self-reflective. You need to identify the fucked up concepts of masculinity that have been planted (and are flourishing) inside you. You need to kill them. Should you decide to continue on as you are, you need to know that your attitude and comments are a threat to me and to the womyn of our community, and to the revolution. You need to know that we will defend ourselves. This cannot and will not be tolerated. And the next time you disrespect a womyn because of her sex, remember that you are the star-bellied boy bikini kill sang about: