Guest Blogger: Jon Nelson - Fairness Fort Worth

Equality Texas Welcomes Guest Blogger, Jon Nelson - Fairness Fort Worth

The reality is that most in the straight community do not and cannot really know what it means to be gay.

The Fort Worth City Council now knows.

The divergent voices at Tuesday's Council meeting were uniform in expressing their anger, frustration and distrust at what happened at the Rainbow Lounge and the city officials’ initial reactions. I am hopeful now that some good will come of this. Diversity training for city employees, increased safety for the LGBT community, an independent investigation and liaisons between the city and our community are now all on the table.

How is this now possible?

A convergence of  events, I think: it is a gay bar, it was the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, someone was seriously injured and the incident received national press coverage. In other words, public outcry and pressure.

But there is another reason: because we packed the city council chamber, because we were under the umbrella of Fairness Fort Worth, an identifiable LGBT organization.

I am 63 years old,  a professional, have a partner and had hoped to live the rest of my life in quiet anonymity, but the events at the Rainbow Lounge changed all that.  I mention this because I suspect I am like many who would rather not get involved, would rather not be exposed.

But the reaction of many in the Fort Worth LGBT community in organizing  to change this city is an example of what can happen when we come together in unity.

If positive, concrete changes occur in Fort Worth as a result of cooperation between the LGBT community and the city; this can be a model for change in other cities.

So, I guess my message is, get involved.

Posted by Jon Nelson

 

 

Comments

[Watch Dog]

Mr. Nelson,

You mention that most straight people have no idea what it is like to be gay. You're probably right. But here are a few thoughts for your consideration. As a Caucasian, do you have any idea what it is like to be African American? As a male, do you have any idea what it is like to be female? As an able-bodied person, do you have any idea what it is like to be handicapped? But just because you possess some characteristics instead of others, are you any less able to treat those with different characteristics fairly?

I fail to understand why you believe in setting yourself apart. ALL people deserve the same treatment. Not any better, not any worse, not any different. The same. By setting yourself apart - both here and in your other remarks - you seem to indicate that you are seeking more or different treatment than everybody else.

Discrimination at it's finest.

[Kathy Smith]

Dear Mr. Watch Dog:

Have you been following the news reports on this at all?

Discrimination at its finest occurs when members of the larger community are injured *because* of their individual identities within that larger group -- i.e., to use your examples, because they are African-American, female, handicapped or, as in this case, GLBT.

Organization by gender, sexual orientation, or other identity groups will only be necessary as long as the larger community allows or even encourages violence and discrimination against people just for being who they are. When all of us, including government authorities and legislators, believe and act as if ALL people deserve the same treatment ... then and only then will we live in a world where people will not need to organize to protect themselves from unfair treatment and unequal rights.

[Louis McBee]

I sincerely hope that Mr. Nelson can get the city and the TABC to the table to discuss these issues with the GLBT community. When he does he needs to know that our very own Mayor Pro Tem has shown a decided tendency toward prejudicial, anti-gay behavior in the past, and should not be a part of any discussions regarding relations between the GLBT community and our police department.
His political campaigns in the past have contained anti gay mailings and anti gay rhetoric aimed at various religious institutions in sucessful attemts at playing to old worn out stereotypes within our community.
I wish Jon all the best of luck in discussions with the city, but offer some advise as well. "Watch your back, daggers abound!"