Comments on: Recap of the Queer Town Hall

By: PocketEgo

PocketEgo — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:23:36 +0000

So the motives for the decision (or whether it was, in fact, a decision) are hazy in my mind, but I still have to agree with Pepper in calling for a sensible middle ground in re: the Blow Pony fiasco – a mediation and public accounting of the events that occurred that night. The police are publicly funded and if the public wishes to heir a grievance with them and seek a response they are firmly within their rights. But riots and verbal mudslinging are not ingredients that make for effective debate (or a willingness on the part of the mudslingee to take your complaints to heart). They are certainly passionate and possibly showy, but they are reactionary. They slosh the water about, but they don't move the current forward. No member of the Queer community would debate the fact that certain individuals were victimized that night or that the responding officer behaved in a heinous way. We. Know. That. Now we must move forward and that is going to be much more readily accomplished with dignity, composure, and organization. We certainly need a demonstration of solidarity, but it needs to be tempered with a purpose. It seems to me that we shouldn't let this issue die a quiet death, but it seems only minimally gratifying to fillet one or two chosen officers at a town hall when we could seek a greater recognition of the very real and pervasive concerns of the Queer community on the part of the whole of the force.

By: PocketEgo

PocketEgo — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:11:52 +0000

First of all I have to express how sad I am to have missed the Town Hall. It sounds like it was well-organized. Having said that, I think Pepper makes a great point about the lack of police presence. I don't know the full story so I can't be all too critical. Was an invitation ever extended to the police by the organizers? Maybe not. But was this done to be 'divisive' – to consciously exclude any possibility of a rebuttal or explanation on the part of the police force? Or was it perhaps done to avoid an altercation between an angry crowd and the single officer (or perhaps a small crew) saddled with the unenviable position of speaking for the entire force on what was obviously a fresh and heated issue? Maybe neither is the case. Quite possibly the organizers were simply focused on addressing the Queer community on a number of safety issues; like Perry said, aggression towards the Queer community is neither new nor something that we should be ill-prepared for. Safety and de-escalation are sensible topics to discuss at any time! If someone cares to fill me in on these details, I am all ears. Until then I will reserve judgment.

By: Pepper

Pepper — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:25:13 +0000

I wished QTH gave more room to talk about what catalyzed it, namely Blow Pony gay pride weekend. I wished that the organizers would have invited the police and officials in their official capacity to the event as a peace-keeping gesture, considering the heightened feelings surrounding how the police treated the individuals in that situation. Another reason I wish the police were invited was so that folks could be held accountable to their statements and feelings about police involvement in conflicts regarding the queer community. Something I felt attending the QTH was how divisive and exclusive uninviting a major part of it's catalyst was. I don't believe sheltering ourselves away from the force we call upon for help if we're assaulted is a step in growth. Nor, do I wish for folks who have sensitivities and trust issues with the police and their 'authority' subject to a confrontation. Where is the middle ground? I don't think it's just the SMRT…
Furthermore, I feel so very thankful for the quick hard work the organizers put into this project as a gesture to foster greater knowledge and support. But I feel by avoiding the iceberg confrontation we steer clear of the greater problem.

By: T Ray

T Ray — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:49:46 +0000

I thought the town hall was very well organized. I was glad to see there was a safer space and support folks and rooms. Great information was shared. Big thanks to those who brought it together.
However, I wish there was a plan for the future. I thought the patrol group might be a start. However, even the facilitators did not seem interested in more than discussion of the history of some queerish patrol groups. Patrol might not be the answer but waiting around for the next bash is freakin me out. Lets do more.
Unite for more than one night!

By: dirtyqueer

dirtyqueer — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:17:34 +0000

i attended the same 2 breakout sessions, for similar reasons – i want to be safe, and help keep others safe. i feel strongly that knowledge is power, as is coming together, and skill sharing, and tribal consciousness. i was very impressed w/ the entire town hall process – as well as the quality and amount of info the session presenters were able to share – and hope to see all the breakout sessions represented not just w/ longer workshops/presentations later, but also as part of our overall portland queer dialog/activism as we keep moving forward.