To Cross or Not to Cross? A Dramaturgical Question
When we announced our 40th anniversary conference as a binational event that would take place on both sides of the San Diego-Tijuana border, we knew the location would be resonant. Since then, political developments in the United States, Canada, and Mexico have made crossing borders not only relevant but much more fraught than we hoped.
LMDA has been having conferences with border-crossing themes for almost ten years now, and as an international organization spanning North America, we are deeply committed to staying connected and sharing an organizational and creative infrastructure.
That said, we know that in April 2025, decisions about moving between San Diego and Tijuana, or, for Canadian and Mexican members, about coming into the United States at all, have many new valances given the increased deportation and immigration raids in the US, not to mention news about phone searches at the border, and confusion about how gender designations on identification documents will be treated.
Holding the shadow cast by those fearful factors alongside the very real excitement we have about the extraordinary programming for the conference and the joy we know will come when we are gathered, Lynde and I wanted to write the membership, as President and Past President, to share two big frames for members as they make plans and choices about the conference.
First, we want to express Radical Acceptance and Support: we embrace every member and support the entire range of decisions members might need to make about whether or how to attend the conference or cross the border.
Acknowledging the many reasons to proceed with care, we want to encourage LMDA members to come to the conference if possible because you can have a full conference experience staying only one side of the border and not crossing.
Given that, we also want to offer some thoughts about why, if your capacity allows, you might really want to consider crossing the border
And finally we want to ask that you support LMDA however you are best able. If you have decided not to come to the conference and have the capacity to donate, this would be a welcome time for a gift. We also want to announce we’re extending the early bird registration deadline to May 15 to give people space as we all manage personal finances in an unstable time as they make decisions about coming to the conference.
Some things to know!
- There is programming on both sides of the border all three days of the conference.
- Each day there is a “focal” location.
- The schedule on the “other” side from that location of each day is lighter, with some panels or sessions, some self guided material, and some open ended networking or talking times.
- Some conference attendees may even find that having a more lightly programmed day is generative for them: it allows some more breathing and processing room.
- We have two town hall meetings planned to share about the conference structure and how LMDA is setting up transportation to the conference site across the border.
- At the Town Hall, we will also share best practices for border crossing and knowing your rights when crossing the border.
- LMDA is organizing shared bus transportation between the conference sites on Friday and Saturday of the conference.
- Traveling on the chartered bus means there will be organized clearance at the border for attendees.
| To Cross | Not To Cross | |
|---|---|---|
| Solidarity | with the thousands of border crossers moving through who deserve a functioning and respectful border | with those who are now and perhaps have always been prohibited from crossing borders |
| Vindication | of our identity as an international organization that calls for and thrives in the flow between its equal members | of our ability to make flow between members possible by making programming virtually accessible from either side |
| Expression of Hope | for the type of world we want to function in: one where international travel happens in an atmosphere of mutual exchange and safety | for the type of world we want to function in: one where radical acceptance and support are offered and received in abundance |
| Celebration | LMDA’s 40th anniversary, growing across a continent | LMDA’s 40th anniversary, reflecting on our US origins and our new, growing branch in Mexico |
As an organization, our conferences are our flagship events. This continues to be an extraordinary time, though we know so many of us wish it were not so. It is heartbreaking to once again be going to Mexico in the face of a crisis- this time a political crisis instead of a pandemic. We are still inspired to support international collaboration in a time when international collaboration is more important than ever.
We ask that LMDA members weigh their specific situation and their approach to risks and make decisions accordingly. Let’s continue to connect, collaborate, and celebrate whenever we are able to advance our mission and values: in San Diego and Tijuana and in many other ways in our local communities and regions.
In dramaturgy and service,
Sara and Lynde
Sara Freeman, President of LMDA
Lynde Rosario, Immediate Past President of LMDA