We want to speak openly about why we are choosing to create this event in a venue with a history of transphobia, and ongoing gender exclusion.  We are aware that the culture and policies of the venue prioritizes masculinity at the exclusion of any other gender expression.

 

Our group has always stood explicitly for trans people, queer women, and marginalized genders. That has not changed.

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Bathhouses and saunas have long been an important underground haven for queer identity and sexual expression. As a group that celebrates queer sexuality, we are drawn to this aspect. However, historically, these spaces have been for cisgender gay men. While it has become more inclusive over time, it continues to serve only masculine identities (or those able/comfortable occupying a masculine identity.) The reason we are entering this space is not because we agree with the existing culture — it’s because we want to change it.

Sometimes meaningful change happens by visibly occupying spaces that were not built for us, bringing our communities together inside them, demonstrating that more inclusive environments are possible, and building enough presence and influence to shift policies over time.

We are entering this collaboration with clear boundaries, ongoing conversations, and a long-term goal: creating more inclusion for queer women and gender-diverse communities within spaces that have excluded them. This event is a soft-launch for ongoing all-gender nights at Goliath's.  

 

We would not be engaging this space if there were no examples of change, or potential for ongoing change. Goliath's owner has not shied away from acknowledging mistakes he has made, and works to learn, grow, and rectify the harm those mistakes have caused.  After one of their first mistakes regarding their gender policies was brought forward, the owner and the staff took queer microaggressions training from the Queer Education Foundation.  They have reworked their admissions policy to cover the whole of the GBMSM community they serve; no longer exclusively cis gay men. The policy is intended to protect the GBMSM guests from anyone who wants admission for something other than participating in the GBMSM activities that occur there (e.g. family members or friends outing someone, “tourists” who are only there to leer and see what goes on). 

 
While KAMP prioritizes the communities of queer women, trans, and gender-diverse peoples, rather than the GBMSM community, we essentially aim to accomplish the same thing.  Both KAMP and Goliath's strive to create a safer, dedicated space for the members of the queer community we serve. We work to maintain a space where our members can be their full and true selves without pressure, judgement or repercussion. This event is a first step in providing that for all of the queer community on an ongoing basis.

When investigating Goliath's as a potential event partner, we heard repeatedly from staff, community members, and individuals close to the owner that Goliath's owner has wanted to provide a safer space for the greater queer community for a long time, and has been looking for an opportunity to collaborate in order to include the greater queer community from the beginning (Nothing about us, without us).  The enthusiasm that all members of the Goliath's staff have shown us, and the support they have offered from day one has reinforced for us that Goliath's is committed to growing and improving..

We also understand that not everyone will agree with this strategy. Some people may decide this event or venue is not right for them, and we respect that completely.   This specific event is not the exclusive direction for all future KAMP events.  We're calling these "side quests" - offshoots from the core focus of KAMP play parties to provide new and different experiences.  These side quests won't be for everyone.  The core focus, or "main quest" for KAMP will continue to be queer play parties in spaces that do not come with concerns about gendered exclusion. Members are very welcome to attend our core KAMP play parties even if they're not comfortable with KAMP Out at Goliath's.  As our members know, we lost our venue last year. The difficulty in finding replacement event spaces that are accessible, and come with the necessary storage at a reasonable cost has been prohibitive. That is the reason we have not yet been able to host another core event. We are continuing the search.

 

If you have concerns, questions, or feedback, we genuinely welcome respectful conversation.