The District of Houston council heard from both supporters and those opposed to the decision to fly a Pride flag and buy a rainbow-coloured bench during an intense and at times personal exchange at the start of its July 4 meeting.
By tradition, council invites members of the public to make presentations prior to shifting to official business but in a rare move, Mayor Shane Brienen allowed council members to respond to comments made during several presentations.
The first speaker was Tammy Walles who told council the community simply wasn’t ready for the display of a Pride flag and purchase of a rainbow-coloured bench because of the reaction that will follow.
“There’s a lot of religious people with their beliefs. There’s a lot of rednecks with their beliefs. And I’m not sure if anybody on council ever asked themselves what’s best for the town?” she said.
“And that’s what I asked myself and also what’s best for me and my wife and anyone who lives this lifestyle.”
She said there are better ways to spend the estimated $3,000 for the flag and bench.
“The Pride bench will be vandalized because of hate. And I don’t want that on my doorstep. And I know this town’s not ready for it,” Walles added.
She said she moved away because she was treated poorly, including being beaten up and returned when she knew it was safe.
“I just don’t want that hate on my doorstep,” she said in adding that hateful comments are already being circulated.
“It doesn’t have to be like that. We’re not ready for it. One day we will. But I know it’s not today.”
The next speaker was Colton Savage who thanked council for its June 20 flag and bench purchase decision.
“The District of Houston recognizing Pride is [something] I never thought would happen,” he said. “This town surprised me [with] Houston’s first Pride celebration with at least 200 people in attendance.”
But Savage also countered comments made by councillor Rebecca Hougen, one of two counsellors who voted against the flag and bench purchase at council’s June 20 meeting.
“The misinformed opposition from some members of this council is indicative of a larger trend in society of media literacy,” he said. “Talking points like trans kids or trans people are not only factually incorrect, these statements contributed to real world harm to people like me in communities like ours.”
“Every major medical organization in Canada recognizes the life-saving capacity of gender-affirming care for people of all ages.”
Savage said people under the age of 18 cannot undergo hormone treatments or surgery unless medically necessary, citing the prevention of suicide as a reason.
Lindsay Chartier, the third speaker, said she supports the flag and bench purchase “because of the future of this community and my children’s future as well.
“Having a Pride flag and bench isn’t asking me as an individual to be proud. That represents the people of the LGBTQ community [as] not only welcomed, but safe in this community,” she said.
“I ask council members [Tom] Euverman and Hougen what would that mean for you as individuals if you felt unwelcome and unsafe in a community that didn’t support your sexuality or any other part of your individual individuality?”
Chartier also told councillor Tom Euverman, who joined Hougen in opposing the purchases that his June 20 comment of hoping the issue would “just be flushed down the toilet” was hurtful.
And she wanted to know what Hougen meant by her June 20 comments that ‘transgender matters are destructive to women’?
Brienen’s invitation for council members to respond was first taken up by Hougen who spoke directly to Chartier.
“It’s very easy to look at what is printed and clearly it makes you guys think that this is coming from maybe an unhealthy place … and I’m sorry you feel that way, Lindsey especially because I know your family …. I really wanted to make it clear that it’s not the LGBQ community and I stated that in the last meeting,” she said.
“This has nothing to do with our welcoming of the community. It is 100 per cent to do with the agenda that is currently being pushed and you guys can look it up. It’s the SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) agenda. It’s in the schools,” Hougen continued.
She said gender changing consent has already been given to children from the age of 12 and not 18.
“Somebody who is younger than 18 should be protected from this push that we are pushing,” Hougen said.
Euverman was the next council respondent who said he was not against any community within the broader community.
“I initially thought that this should never have come on the table,” he said in adding he was not aware the purchase proposal was going to be on the agenda.
“I would love to sit down with you guys over a cup of coffee. Discuss the issue for the betterment of community and yourself. I’m not against anybody,” Euverman continued.
“And we all have our own beliefs and they should be respected whether they change or not. So I’ve love to have the dialogue.”
Councillor Troy Reitsma, who voted with councillor Jonathan Van Barneveld in favour of the flag and bench purchase, brought up Rosa Parks, who was arrested after refusing to give up her seat on an Alabama bus to a white person, and Jackie Robinson, who broke major league baseball’s colour barrier.
“Nothing changes until we make the change and council felt this was the time to make a change,” he said.
Reitsma also directed a comment at Hougen’s position on SOGI.
“SOGI is all about making them feel welcome. It’s not about teaching them things. It is about accepting them for who they are. It’s about making them feel worthwhile,” he said.
Brienen acknowledged the speakers, saying it’s not be easy to speak before council.
And sensing what he called a bit of stress, Brienen said a five-minute break was in order before addressing the remaining agenda items.
Council’s decision to purchase a flag and bench at the June 20 meeting came after Brienen broke a two-two tie to side with Reitsma and Van Barneveld. Euverman and Hougen were opposed. Councillors Lisa Mueller and Tom Stringfellow were absent.