Interviewed, edited and condensed by Neal McNamara.

Why a “radical queer movement” and not an “everybody” movement?

There is an “everybody” movement — but we’re all parts of that bigger movement. We demand an end to all oppression. But to do that, we have to create a safe space within that and create our own individual movements.

How did you come to activism?

Just through growing up and learning about Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. — the civil rights movement fascinated me. I just looked at all the things that were wrong and I was thinking that there needs to be change. I started with environmental activism, then I moved into gay rights. My politics got progressively more radical as I saw certain tactics fail and certain tactics succeed.

Which tactics failed?

Institutionalized organizing. The victories that came out of that were too small. I’ve seen radical movements — like the civil rights movement — make great change very quickly for oppressed people. Any logical person who wants to see change as fast as it needs to is going to become radicalized.

Do you believe in gay marriage? (Some speculated Bash Back did what it did because of the failure of Proposal 8 in California)

I believe people can do whatever the hell they want. But I don’t believe in asking the government to recognize my relationship and signing all their laws and signing my sexuality over to them when I inherently disagree with the basis of this government.

Can I ask how you came out of the closet?

I came out as a lesbian first. Then I quickly identified as a dyke. Then a couple years later I identified as transgender. I met someone at church and I just remember being crazy about her. We hung out and she kissed me and that was kind of it. Then I came out to my school. I was quickly expelled for interfering with the learning process. Once I got out of there, they outed me to parents. My parents booted me out. I ended up hitching into East Lansing and I just started living in a squat.

How did you become transgender?

I saw “Boys Don’t Cry.” I saw them bind in the movie and I tried it with an ace bandage. Then I changed my name over to Andy. I almost instantly started passing; I looked like such a guy. I carry myself like a guy, because I am.

What did you think of the media coverage of the Bash Back action?

Well, I’m not surprised the media screwed it all up. Sensationalized it. I think it’s really funny how much media has pulled from the right-wing blogs, which flat-out made shit up. It’s funny to me that they do so little homework.

Do you think it’s surprising that the media would blow it out of proportion?
No. The news isn’t about news; it’s about entertainment. It’s about getting people to buy your paper. The media made its point by calling us terrorists. They’ve made the point that we’re really terrible and people shouldn’t have any interest in our movement.

What do you think of being labeled a terrorist?

I think it’s ridiculous. Terrorism is a specific tactic that uses major amounts of terror to force change. Being mass executions or extreme violence or things like that. We dropped a banner and tossed some fliers. And the threats we’ve been getting — so much more extreme even.

What are some of the threats?

The Ku Klux Klan contacted us — they e-mailed our WordPress blog. They said that we wouldn’t be tolerated – whatever that means. One of my favorites — the old chair of YAF — released a statement saying we should be dragged into the streets and beat us in such a way that would make Matthew Shepard’s murder look inconsequential. Because we’re terrorists because we threw fliers.

What’s next for Bash Back?

I don’t want to give anything away. Actions-wise, we’re taking it a little easier here in Lansing because of police harassment. People should expect some cool independent media stuff. Little actions will be going on all over to create visibility. There’s a national convergence in May. We’re not announcing the place. We’ll be setting up a completely new agenda and there will be a national action with that.

Do you think Lansing is progressing in a decent way?

Not fast enough in my taste. No, I don’t think it is. In my experience nothing has changed since I’ve been organizing. There’s been a lot of amazing work. It’s really hard to make radical change the change that is necessary when you have not only the institutions themselves but also the liberals coming after you. You’re hitting walls at every side. I don’t think we’ve seen any major change. Even the liberal stuff is suffering really greatly. Even, like, Michigan Gay Pride might not happen this year because there’s no support.