Formed in Chicago in 2007 to facilitate a convergence of radical trans and gay activists from around the country , Bash Back ! sought to critique the ideology of the mainstream LGBT movement , which the group saw as assimilation into the dominant institutions of a heteronormative society . Bash Back ! was noticeably influenced by the anarchist movement and radical queer groups , such as ACT UP , and took inspiration from the Stonewall and San Francisco 's White Night riots . The group arose out of anti – Republican National Convention and anti – Democratic National Convention organizing , and continued up to 2011 . Chapters sprang up across the country , including in Philadelphia and Seattle . The organization ’s model was a nonhierarchical autonomous network based on agreed-upon points of unity , such as fighting for " queer liberation " rather than " heteronormative assimilation " , and accepting a diversity of tactics , " including an individual ’s autonomy to participate in actions deemed illegal by the government " . Bash Back ! Chicago carried out a number of actions during their city 's Pride Weekend in 2008 . The first was participation in the annual Chicago Dyke March in Chicago 's Pilsen neighborhood . Bash Back ! 's contingent in the march focused on resistance to gentrification in the Pilsen community . In addition , members of Bash Back ! also took part in Chicago 's larger Chicago Pride Parade . Bash Back ! Chicago wheeled a cage through the parade containing a member dressed as Chicago 's Mayor Richard M. Daley , whom the group charged was responsible for cutting AIDS funding , turning a blind eye to police torture and brutality , and supporting gentrification . Simultaneously , members of the group also distributed barf bags with slogans written on them such as " Corporate Pride Makes Me Sick , " a statement about the commercial and assimilative intentions of mainstream gay culture
White Night riots
White Night riots
Bash Back!