Unknown; Occupy Wall Street Archives Working Group
Object Type
Signs
Description
Housing was a significant logistical issue for Occupy. Meeting minutes from various General Assemblies demonstrate that the Housing Spokes Council contended with significant issues like activist accountability and how to deal with budget issues to support the costs of sheltering activists at multiple local organizations. This cardboard sign reads "Gay Squat 2011-2012: Come In and Come Out." Gay Squat may refer to a loose group of LGBTQIA activists who lived together in housing that was not officially under the purview of Occupy. It also tacitlysuggests that—even though LGBTQIA+ activist organizations like ACT UP NY, Queerocracy, and Queer Rising often worked in coalition with, or were directly embedded in, Occupy—LGBTQIA activists in the movement still sometimes faced challenges of visibility and safety within the movement, having to "come in" in order to "come out."
Image Description
In rainbow colored, bubble lettering this cardboard sign reads "Gay Squat 2011-2012." Below this, in black market, it says "Come In and Come Out." The back side of the sign indicates that this was a box that shipped clothing. Stuck to the box is a pink circular sticker that says "Women's" and a green circular sticker that says "Floor Sets 4"
Citation
Gay Squat sign, circa 2011-2012; TAM.630 Occupy Wall Street Archives Working Group Records; box 13; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University