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Our Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Outraged!

July 28th, 2011

I am outraged! I have to say that after the horrific murders that occurred two weeks ago in Grand Rapids, I have yet to submit a positive GR6 six word entry that one would expect from the President of this community foundation. I've had to just let it all sink in.

Well then this morning I was reading Facebook postings from overnight. I was thoroughly disgusted to learn that an assault was committed on a man who was leaving a welcoming party for Denise Brogan-Kator the Executive Director of *Equality Michigan.

Postings by my friends Terry Johnston and Tommy Allen alerted their followers to this horrible assault. Terry wrote: "Just learned that a friend of mine was physically and verbally assaulted by 2 young men after leaving an Equality Michigan reception. He was thrown up against a wall, punched in the stomach, called "faggot", told that "he doesn't deserve to live" and "doesn't belong on the face of the earth".

Beyond heartbreaking as it is simply ruthless and WRONG! This isn't just about "how to make Grand Rapids a more welcoming city and area" it is violence - it is prejudice - it is a crime against a human being!

We have been working so very hard on the issues of racism and sexism and all the isms! This discrimination and prejudice cannot continue! The rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation need to be protected.

And what an awful way to end what I am assuming was a joyous occasion introducing the Executive Director of Equality Michigan based in Detroit to many supporters here in Grand Rapids.

The physical attack was committed a half-block away from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and I just hope we can all work together to address these egregious crimes and to continue to embrace differences. This isn't just a case of "why can't we just all get along", it's an act of violence and it has to stop. And not just the outright acts of violence but the attitudes and behavior of some in our community. I know this happens more often than what is reported to the police. My GR6 entry today would read if submitted: Future: Inclusion. Magnetic. Welcoming. Aspirational. Hope.


* From the organization's website: "Equality Michigan works to achieve full equality and respect for all people in the state of Michigan, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We're also a touch point for events, organizations, and information that are of interest to the community. We are a professional, active resource for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied community members."


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Comments

Thanks for posting this, Diana. It is so important for community to leaders to speak up at this outrage. Thank you for your leadership!

Posted by: Francesca Amari-Sajtar | July 28 2011, 11:05AM

Thank you for articulating what so many of us feel about this violence!

Posted by: Carrie Borchers | July 28 2011, 11:40AM

Thank you Diana! It takes the outrage and voice of a mighty few to get action out of words. Thank you for sharing with the larger community the ongoing senseless violence that is foisted upon people who simply live their lives. Kudos for your strength, your support, and your voice!

Posted by: Forrest Clift | July 28 2011, 12:28PM

Thank you for your posting. It's an interesting thing that some people's children are allowed to live safely in the world and other people's children are not. Here is one more example of that inequity. Your post carries weight and substance and I thank you.

Posted by: Tony Cherette | July 28 2011, 2:47PM

With all sincerity, thank you for writing this.

Posted by: Joi Dupler | July 28 2011, 3:30PM

Thank you, Diana, for speaking from your position of leadership in Grand Rapids. None of us is safe until we are all safe. I was shocked to read of this vicious attack, especially so since I know the kind, gentle man who was hurt. He too is involved in numerous community service projects in spite of fragile health.

I am also outraged and suddenly feel vulnerable again in a community that I thought had grown past this kind of behavior. I hope you are just the beginning of the leaders in our community to speak out and to do what we can to make sure that no one suffers for contributing to the diversity of OUR community.

Posted by: Bruce Roller | July 28 2011, 4:27PM

Thank you, Diana. I appreciate your highlighting this tragedy and documenting your outrage. As such a respected leader in Grand Rapids, you have the ears of many in positions to lead change in our community. I too am shocked and appalled that this would happen in my city in 2011, but I'm sure it happens more than we know. Thank you for giving voice to raise awareness on behalf of those who have little or no voice. Interesting that this happens the same day the Williams Institute released their report documenting evidence of employment discrimination and its effects on LGBT people. We've made some progress, and we have a long way to go. Thank you for leading some of the change in our community!

Posted by: Connie Bellows | July 28 2011, 4:59PM

Thank you for addressing this event/issue, the local media seem to be too busy to cover the news.

Posted by: Bob Chavarria | July 28 2011, 5:56PM

Blessings to you Diana for unequivocally sending the message as a leader of Grand Rapids, that this outrageous behaviour will not be tolerated, silenced or swept under the rug.
As we work towards full inclusion and equality for all, there will be some who feel they can threaten us back into the closet. But our voices, our allies, and our faith is stronger than fear and intimidation.
My prayers go out to the young man who was threatened and my prayers of thanks go out to you for your witness to equality for all.

Posted by: Theresa D. McClellan | July 28 2011, 6:23PM

Thanks for your post, Diana. Unfortunately, some people feel pressure towards violence when they see the winds of change are moving in an opposite direction than they’d prefer. It is a last ditch reaction from a dying ideology of hate and repression. You can see it in violence towards women and towards LGBT people. They are a sad group and they are being left behind, like an evolutionary dead end. Neanderthals. We’ve just gotta keep moving forward until they are extinct.

Posted by: Amy Price | July 29 2011, 8:21AM

Diana, do you know if a police report was filed? Such thuggery needs to be both exposed and prosecuted. This is the price we pay when hate-mongers like Gary Glenn move into our state and preach their pseudo-Christian bigotry. Please tell your friend that scores of people from my church support and respect him.

Posted by: Alan Headbloom | July 29 2011, 9:22AM

Diana,

Thank you for being a voice for our community. Thank you for being a living example of inclusion, hope, and respect.

Joseph Workman

Posted by: Joseph Workman | July 29 2011, 9:40AM

Can anyone picture Jesus preaching Gary Glen's sermons, or smiling as someone is bashed in his name? Jesus was not a bully and he preached inclusion. By their deeds shall ye know them - true followers of Jesus and those who use the word Christian as sheeps clothing.

Posted by: Gwen DeJong | July 29 2011, 6:57PM

Thank you very much, Diana, for your clear and bold statement! Your words give me hope that our West Michigan community is growing into the inclusive community that you are imagining and working toward.

Posted by: Rev. Jim Lucas | August 1 2011, 2:13PM

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