Spaces like this are the only way we have any sort of viable arts scene where anyone is making any money. There is virtually [no other] option for a thriving performance space in this city without occupying these spaces. [They also] offer the most support of trans and genderqueer folks. That’s a large part of what last night should have been about, what it started out about. That group of people is totally sidelined in the dominant nightlife culture of a gentrifying Oakland.
–Juliet Gordon, 26, who fronts the pop band The Classical, was a denizen of the Ghost Ship, as the warehouse was known to local artists and musicians, as quoted in the SFChronicle
Me2
It’s just absolutely horrific that someone thought it was a good idea to host such a large crowd there. I’m sure most of those people had no clue that they were walking into a death trap. My heart goes out to all of the victims, survivors and their friends and families.
Brian
It’s terrible that the victims were exploited – and allowed themselves to be exploited – by unscrupulous people associated with this building.
sf_italianboi
and the above statement isnt even completely true. yes it is more difficult to live as an artist in the bay area but there are lots of thriving art spaces and the bay area is still one of the best places to be gender queer in the united states. there are lots of safe, underground spaces but Derek Ion didnt want to operate a safe space and now a lot of legitimate, safe, underground spaces are going to suffer because one guy didnt care
Bromancer7
@sf_italianboi: Riiiiight. Because people choose to put their lives at risk by living in these places because they have so many other choices. Maybe you should pull your head out of your arse and take a look at what’s happening in the real world. Rents are skyrocketing, real estate is skyrocketing, and far too many people have little to no choices if they want to avoid being homeless.
sf_italianboi
@bromancer7 i didnt say it was easy, im just saying that there are ways to achieve it in a safe way. i actually run a space in SF, so i live this everyday. there are ways to live in warehouses and still be safe. the problem is that people like Derek take advantage of artists and jeopardize their lives
Danny279
I thought that “queer” included people who are gender variant. So how is “gender queer” different from “queer”? There seems to be an obsession with these people to constantly generate new terms and new jargon and LGB people are forced to accept it.
sf_italianboi
@danny279 not everyone chooses to identify as M/F; gender queer creates an alternate identity for those that identify beyond a binary scale. no one is forcing you to use these terms but perhaps culture / identity is more complex than just two options
Bromancer7
@sf_italianboi: Ummm, riiiiiiight. Sorry if I don’t believe you. Did you miss the part that the owner lived in the building with his wife and kids?
Yes, it’s not easy, which is why places like the Ghost Ship exist. If there were easy ways of accomplishing things safely that were just as accessible they would be done. But clearly there isn’t, because they aren’t.
Bromancer7
@sf_italianboi: OK, I take it back. But seriously, you want to compare Z Space to the Ghost Ship? I mean, seriously? Are you sure you’re getting enough air way up there on your white privilege high horse?
Danny279
@sf_italianboi: Yah, but my question was: how is “gender queer” different from “queer” since “queer” already includes “non-binary” people? If queer and gender queer mean the same thing, why not just call yourself queer?