In right relationship with the edge with Toad Dell and Guy Ritani from PermaQueer

Edge Dwellers Café

In this episode, Ben Habib is joined by Toad Dell and Guy Ritani from PermaQueer. PermaQueer is a collaborative project to share ecological sustainability methods through the lens of Permaculture, focusing on accessibility to and building resilience for traditionally marginalised communities. PermaQueer brings a queering, decolonising and trauma-informed approach to community-building. In 2021, PermaQueer won the LUSH Spring Prize for Social and Environmental Regeneration.

00:00:00 Introduction

00:03:45 Acknowledgement of Country.

00:05:39 Finding permaculture through need rather than through reputation.

00:09:14 Permaculture as a design methodology vs permaculture as a movement.

00:11:16 Women are the backbone of the permaculture community-building.

00:15:38 Queering permaculture and the genesis of PermaQueer.

00:22:24 PermaQueer as a network of resource redistribution.

00:25:07 Having privilege and being a pioneer 'species' in social ecosystems.

00:27:54 Understanding 'queering' and the diversity of queer peoples' lived experiences.

00:36:10 The unique aesthetics of PermaQueer's social media presence.

00:40:17 Value the edge, but only in right relationship to it.

00:44:30 Edge cultures and vulnerable people are not a resource to be selectively mined by the mainstream.

00:47:27 Trauma-informed and decolonial practice in permaculture and beyond.

00:56:50 Problematising the construct of 'whiteness'.

00:59:55 Scarcity as reality vs scarcity as mindset.

01:04:37 Critical reflection on the permaculture prophesy of energy descent.

01:12:23 TEDx as a platform for PermaQueer online events.

01:19:17 Queering isn't scary...a call to action.

01:23:41 Conclusion.

Show links

• LUSH Spring Prize for Social and Environmental Regeneration 2021. “Winner: PermaQueer”.
• “PermaQueer: Intentional Projects Award”. Vimeo.
• “PermaQueer: Isn’t they lovely”. Permaculture Visions.
• “PermaQueer: Guy Ritani and Toad Dell”. Growing Media Podcast.
• TEDx PermaQueer: Community Responses to Climate Change.
• TEDx PermaQueer: Cultural Responses to Climate Change.
• Ray, SJ. (2021). “Climate Anxiety Is an Overwhelmingly White Phenomenon”. Scientific American. 21 March 2021.
• Paxton, M. (2020). “In Good Tilth Perspectives: Hannah Breckbill”. Oregon Tilth. 24 November 2020.
• Mahana Culture: Awakening Cultural Dignity..

About PermaQueer

Instagram | Facebook | LinkTree | Guy Ritani on LinkedIn

About Ben Habib, host of Edge Dwellers Cafe

Ben@Earth | LTU staff profile | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | ORCiD

Support Edge Dwellers Cafe

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Credits

• Logo design: Sarah Cook Design ([e-mail]).
• Thumbnail artwork developed using Deep Art Effects.
• Intro music: “Lala Bass” by Adele_Newiron from Pixabay.
• Interlude music: “Relax (Drum and Bass)” by vjgalaxy from Pixabay.
• Interlude music: “Centyś - Energy 4” by abctoja from Pixabay.
• Interlude voice-over by Jess Love (https://www.jesslovefilmmaker.com/).

This podcast is broadcast from Naarm/Melbourne on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people. Edge Dwellers Cafe pays respect to their elders past, present and emerging.