While we were at a revel, the Internet exploded

[abendgules]

...but seems to have survived the experience anyway.

The response, almost entirely on social media, to current TRM deciding against a couple for Crown, demonstrates a) how strong a tool social media is and b) how it's a truly terrible way to share news.

For those not in Drachenwald:

TRM had refused a couple entry (as is *within* their right to do) but discovered that being straightforward enough to say it was because they were a same-sex couple (and TRM felt that such couples were not historically accurate) meant the whole of online Drachenwald roared in furious response.

Happily TRM have changed their decision, and nusbacher has posted an extremely thoughtful thank you note, remarking on helpful and less helpful responses.

There's still a strong simmer of people, still arguing about what is and is not discrimination, equal rights, legal options, etc. It's as if they wish they still had someone to be angry at instead of simply cheering the change.

Robert and I were at the local revel in Thamesreach, doing medieval(TM). edith_hedingham heard of the news of the change from jpgsawyer, and passed it on, and there was a palpable sigh of relief in the hall.

I've written to TRM to thank them for their change and assure them they will be very welcome in Insulae Draconis in a few weeks.

I pointed out how bitter the business of same-sex marriage rights has been in the UK (something they'd know nothing of) and how that might have driven some of the anger from our quarter.

It's much easier to argue in a small group about a small injustice, when you feel helpless to change law in a much larger society stuck with an 18th c voting system.

I really really hope the upshot is: everyone cheers when TRM arrive in Insulae Draconis, and we can all take a deep breath and move on.

At the revel, it was splendid: great food, small well received court, dancing, good instruction. All the fine things that make our revels fine things.

Comments

[ingaborg.livejournal.com]

I think it is telling that "you're the wrong gender" is still often considered an acceptable reason to discriminate against somebody, where other factors would not be.

I am glad to hear this was challenged immediately and sorted out satisfactorily, yay for the SCA!

I think all re-enactment societies have to consider what they will accept despite its being "not authentic". Few of us could physically pass for a person from the period we're re-enacting: I have not heard of any group banning people who could be considered inauthentic because they are too plump, have too many teeth, are the wrong colour etc.

Changing topic slightly, isn't there a fine mediaeval romantic tradition of cross-dressing women fighting as knights, with lovely ladies swooning over them? Marfisa and Bradamante spring to my mind.

I am curious, do TRM have to be an actual couple? Or can they be friends (of whatever gender) who have teamed up?

[buttongirl.livejournal.com]

In Ealdormere TRMs do not need to be a romantic couple at all. We have had friends fight for each other, and sons fight for their mothers, and a (now knighted) squire fight for his knights lady. Recently we have had same sex couples too.

[bend-gules.livejournal.com]

No, you don't have to be a real-world couple. Both real-world couples and 'diplomatic alliances' have been successful, or not successful.

Good communication makes it work or not work, period.

Ari, I appreciate your viewpoint. However, I don't think we can expect any royal couple to be familiar with laws outside their own countries, except to expect that most European countries now have some form of ban on discrimination for sex, race, orientation, and identity.

To me, if they made any mistake it was in being as forthright as they were; directness is a Finn thing.

And I equally appreciate those who point out it is their list, to choose as they see fit. The 'kludge' wording that SCA BoD settled on is not sufficient to accommodate same sex couples, and this incident makes that clear.

While we can amend our own laws I hope this is the spur to drive this issue back to BoD.