[Exiles Members] Statement in support of Fresh Meat

[Jak Hammer]

Hello Exiles Membership ~

The Exiles have been actively involved with the Fresh Meat Co-op, our
director position on the Leather Alliance board, and in discussions with
Lou from Alchemy. The Officers of the Exiles are releasing the following
statement in support of Fresh Meat as well as advocate for intentional
space be made for POC within the community:
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The Exiles would like to make a formal statement in support of Fresh Meat
Co-op. We are appalled that your Post Folsom party was broken up and People
of Color (POC) were placed in an unacceptable position by certain staff at
Alchemy. Their escalating actions had the potential to endanger people's
emotional and physical well being.

The Exiles are advocating for leather community organizations to support
creating intentional space for POC within our organizations. Our vote in
favor of the Leather Alliance taking on the lease and managing the
operation of the space formerly known as Alchemy included advocating for
the following:

*None of Alchemy's staff will be part of the new team running the new
facility

*Alchemy will be re-branded (we are referring to it as the Leather
Communities Center for this statement, but that might not be the permanent
name)

*A director representing POC within the Leather Alliance and the management
team of the Leather Communities Center

*Discounted rental rates for marginalized communities members will be
negotiated

The Exiles have also asked that rent be waived for Fresh Meat's next party,
should they choose to hold it at the Leather Communities Center. The Exiles
supports and advocates the arrangements that are being made for this free
rent party offer to be extended.

We hope that the other leather organizations will join us in bringing these
changes to fruition. We look forward to working with you all to create
welcoming space for POC within our organizations and communities.
------

We hope to have the full support of the membership and invite you to reply
to this email with your comments or on Facebook. Our next business meeting
will be held on Sunday October 9th at Oakstop in Oakland from 5pm-7pm.

Thank you,
Jak, Pat and the Exiles Officers
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