Over 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 was raised.
“Listen to the words and keep them in mind for our whole process,” said Arrington.
The tone was thus set for the Akron LGBTQ+ Community Town Hall, an event that brought together concerned citizens to share resources and brainstorm creative next steps in response to the Trump administration and Ohio legislature’s onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ actions.
The event was organized by the Rustin Center and the LGBTQ+ subcommittee of the Akron NAACP, the only Ohio NAACP chapter to feature such a subcommittee.
The event did not allow for 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 of 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 January 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 Mailk was not present in person, but appeared via Zoom. He acknowledged that 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 over $80 million a year from the federal government, but that he does not endorse a policy of preemptive compliance, in which 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, during which 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 – 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.
“We need to find nontraditional educational spaces: [go] back to coffee-room storytelling, back to library educational nights and back to bringing the community to the forefront,” Crawford said.
Renn – an urban regenerative farmer – warned that the food system and food access are being targeted by the Trump administration.
“Please, if you can, grow your own food,” Renn said. “We have so many networks here in Akron to provide you with seeds, expertise and labor. Let’s get you growing some food.”
Pastor Marc Tibbs of Centenary United Methodist Church spoke about the power of groups coming together and introduced a new initiative called Akron Community Action Network.
“We are bringing organizations together that heretofore have been working in silos, but are coming together now to build power to change things that affect all of us, like environmental justice and police violence,” Pastor Tibbs said. “We’re welcoming you to be a part of this movement.”
Lillie Jackson – an HIV prevention coordinator, board member at the Rustin Center and co-founder of the Greater Akron Canton Association of Black Social Workers – spoke about the Denver Principles manifesto, the 1983 action that helped shape community response during the HIV/AIDS crisis. Jackson stressed the importance of knowing the history of the LGBTQ+ community in order to inspire current action.
“We came here tonight to organize,” she said. “We need to take the gloves off.”
Steve Arrington, the final speaker, expressed his hope that individuals would be inspired to take action.
“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Arrington said. “And we want to be at the table.” 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- Learn more about the LGBTQ+ subcommittee of the Akron NAACP by visiting their site here.
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