This story was originally published by The Buckeye Flame.
More than 100 individuals filed into Akron’s Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center on Friday evening, March 14, as Sly and the Family Stone’s community anthem “Everyday People” played in the background.
“Anyone know this song?” asked Steve Arrington, executive director of the Rustin Center.
A smattering of hands were raised.
“Listen to the words and keep them in mind for our whole process,” Arrington said.
Suggested Reading
The tone was thus set for the Akron LGBTQ+ Community Town Hall, an event that brought together concerned residents to share resources and brainstorm creative next steps in response to the Trump administration and Ohio legislature’s anti-LGBTQ+ actions.
The event was organized by the Rustin Center and the LGBTQ+ subcommittee of the Akron NAACP, the only Ohio NAACP chapter with such a subcommittee.
The event did not allow photographs and many participants did not use their last names so as to keep the space as safe and private as possible. Still, those in attendance were outspoken in their commitment to support Akron’s LGBTQ+ community.
“The purpose of this community town hall is to connect as community members of all types, standings and circumstances over the shared desires to actively oppose inequality and improve living conditions,” said Michelle of Trans Joy Akron. “While we won’t necessarily solve these big things tonight, we will plant seeds that will grow into meaningful community connections and actions.”
Organizations unite
The first half of the event spotlighted different organizations, including PFLAG, Trans Joy Akron, Margie’s Hope and CANAPI. Representatives spoke about the services offered by their organizations and the outpouring of support they have witnessed over the past few months.
Danielle Schultz of Trans Allies of Ohio said that their grassroots organization had around 35 people registered for their online support group in the fall.
“After Jan. 20, we now have 230 parents and caregivers registered,” Schultz said to applause. “As you can see, there really is strength in numbers.”
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik appeared via Zoom and said these were “difficult times,” but promised that the values of the city would not be changing.
“We are proud to support our LGBTQ+ community and we will continue to do that,” Malik said.
Malik shared that the city receives more than $80 million a year from the federal government, but that he does not endorse a policy of pre-emptive compliance, where anti-LGBTQ+ changes to practice are enacted before executive orders become law or are fully litigated.
“No matter what group you’re a part of, we are here to be allies,” Malik said.
Solution generation
The second half of the town hall featured community participation, where the microphones were passed around for those in attendance to identify — in one minute or less — major issues in the community and share ideas for creative solutions.
Nikki — who identified themselves as an activist, advocate and educator — said that there is currently an “education crisis” in which people are not being properly informed to be welcoming, accepting or safe.
