Art Community as a GC

[Saltyk]

Hi all,

I'm a 33 year old male living in Brighton and I'm wondering if art communities / creative communities still exist where gender ideology hasn't completely wrecking ball'd authentic conversation, and critical reasoning is at the forefront.

I'm reaching the end of my tether, and have recently started actively engaging with this topic when I see fellow artists post trans 'rights' propaganda. There's nothing I would love more than to have real conversation, connection and community - but it all seems impossible to find.

I've been discriminated against within the AAA games industry after being prompted for my views on trans related issues, and the interviewer subsequently not liking my belief that an ability to recognise biological sex as an immutable reality is important. I've already lost opportunities, friends and family due to this ideology, and the constant vilification and ostracisation from socio-economic fairness is nurturing a growing contempt and vitriol for gender ideologist pushers.

I need help; I'm at a loss. I've just started a new IG acc for my art, because I've grown so disconnected from my OG which feels embedded behind ideologist lines. The artist network is very localised, and I have no idea if others in my age demographic are ideologists, or if they're keeping quiet to save face, and business. Maybe that's an intelligent option, but I feel I have a moral obligation to exercise against any causality behind unhealthy cultural shifts.

It's crazy that it's gotten this far, I have nieces and nephews in early infancy and the older they get the more I wish I could do to eradicate this ideological madness; securing a safe environment for them, and instilling coherent and consistent values as they get older.

This could be a vent; but if anyone has been in my position - I'm feeling at a slight loss for what to do. I think I'll be making a pivot away from the arts and towards trade work, something I can use to improve quality of life for those around me and help move me away from the ideologically conformed zealots.

It's all a bit much; connecting with people used to be easy, now it feels like they're all part of a brainwashed troglodytic mob; yet I'm the one who will get called obsessed/Nazi/Bigot/Transphobe for not lighting my torch and grabbing my pitchfork.

This life experience has become such a disappointment.

No answer but I feel your pain. It’s awful.

I am a creative woman in her 30s, unfortunately I’m opposite side of the country to you!

Up here, no. Whilst the hobby I have isn’t political, it still appears that most people our age want to bring up this topic within the first conversation and it makes it incredibly hard to form connections.

We need to set up some sort of UK creative network!

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100% - I have no idea what it would take to set up an accessible creative network for critical thinkers but if I had the money that's where I'd be investing. Self-report but it's always the first thing on my mind when I'm talking to someone because I'm always wondering "would this person still be nice if they knew how I felt".

I think my desperation for authentic connections far out-weighs my patience for political performance at this point. So far I've tended to navigate new relations with limited interaction, politeness, and occasionally litmus test to get an idea of how considered and thoughtfully independent the person is before getting to know them more. I've had the most success with people older than me, typically 40-50s and they have been absolutely sanity saving conversations.

It's funny because it's the last thing I want to care about - but it's the largest. medical scandal in history to my mind and the behaviours mirror that of the Salem Witch Trials. So to not be able to vent about it - obstructs the flow of meaningful interaction and relaxed conversation. I wish I could be my easy going self more often, but I need to know if someone is ideologically captured before I know it's worth investing the time.

Anyway - I would love to be a part of a UK creative network like that, so if you have any ideas let me know.

Is it because funding depends on adherence to ideology?

I'm not nearby, so I can't help, but I move in creative circles and we're pretty much all GC bar the odd person, so I'm sure it is possible to find like-minded people even in Brighton.

To be honest the last place I’d be vocal about that stuff is in Brighton.

I’d stay away from that topic in the sense of engaging in arguments and would focus more on the women’s rights angle (for example).

It’s awful though and I understand your frustration. You’re never going to persuade anyone on the TRA side.

What kind of art communities is this happening in? I’m the opposite side of the country to you (Scotland) and I’m a member of several hobby art groups, it’s not something that ever comes up. Most people here are a bit bemused by the whole gender debate and either don’t care about it or think it’s madness. It’s provincial Scotland though, as opposed to Brighton (have never actually been but have heard it’s the epicentre of wokeness).

I'm also early 30s, GC and in Brighton if you wanted to chat. Not much of a creative though, alas!

Not quite what you're asking for, but you'll find fellow spirits on the FWR sex and gender board in here if you're not already on it. [Sorry, I am useless at remembering usernames so you may already be there.]