Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we are mindful of our present participation. We recognize that our work takes place on these traditional territories. Today, London and the surrounding area are subject to the Upper Canada treaties and specifically the Longwoods Treaty of 1822. We also recognize the contributions of Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole. We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place. We also acknowledge the Attawandaran (Neutral) peoples who once settled this region alongside the Algonquin and Haudenosaunee peoples, and used this land as their traditional beaver hunting grounds. The three First Nations communities closest in proximity to us are the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation (part of the Anishinaabe), Oneida Nation of the Thames (part of the Haudenosaunee), and the Munsee-Delaware Nation (part of the Lenape). The three current and long standing Indigenous groups of this geographic region are the Anishinaabek, the Haudenosaunee and the Lenape. Queer Events acknowledges with gratitude and respect, the longstanding relationships of the three local First Nations groups of this land and place, Deshkan Ziibiing also known as London, Ontario. It is also considered a privilege that many trans people cannot access. Today, going stealth is now viewed as a problematic term as it implies that trans people are "tricking" others or engaging in deception. That said, it is only an option for those who are able to consistently pass as cisgender. Being stealth is an option that can be quite appealing.
Going stealth, all too often, protects transgender people from physical violence and murder. It means being able to gain employment that may otherwise not be available. Going stealth provides the opportunity to live as who one is without a lot of difficult questions. By going stealth it becomes easier to rebuild connections and one’s life. In all too many cases transgender people lose those they were close to. Transition is not the easiest thing in the world. It was expected and necessary to leave one’s marriage (if married), move away, socially transition, prove one has successfully done that for one year, then one may get Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), one year after that one may get gender-affirming surgery, then one may move back to where one lived.įully going stealth is no longer a necessary goal for those who seek medical transition, but is still an option that transgender people choose. In times past this was what was expected of transgender people if they were to medically transition. The reasons for going stealth are many and are as individual as the person making the decision. Going stealth means completely hiding one’s transgender history, not talking about it with anyone, and completely hiding that one has transitioned.