Mea culpa: Setting the record straight

Posted 10/2/24

An allegation has moved forward against our mayor alleging that he conspired with an “activist group” to keep anti-trans activists from entering a city council meeting.

In the words …

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Mea culpa: Setting the record straight

Posted

An allegation has moved forward against our mayor alleging that he conspired with an “activist group” to keep anti-trans activists from entering a city council meeting.

In the words of Olenna Tyrell from Game of Thrones, “Tell her I did it. I want her to know it was me.”

When I discovered that an anti-trans rally was to take place at Pope Marine Park on the day the city council was to offer a proclamation in support of a vulnerable community, I reached out to my vast network of friends, colleagues, neighbors, political leaders, community leaders, teachers, doctors, therapists, business owners and otherwise with a single intent: bring in as many voices of support for the proclamation as possible. We showed up to support our wonderful trans and nonbinary friends, neighbors and community members.

To be clear, I did not conspire with anyone on the city council in this effort. I did ask a city council member — not David Faber — how many people would be allowed into the building for a council meeting.

I was told by the council person that whoever could not attend in person would be able to attend online.

On the day of the event, people began lining up at Port Townsend City Hall hours before the event. While an anti-trans rally proceeded across the street, hundreds came together to form a line around the block, dancing and blowing bubbles, all there to make sure that love outweighed hate and fear.

Of course, I did not do this alone, and neither am I a leader of an “activist group.” I’m just one person who supports the rights of trans and nonbinary people to exist, to make decisions over their own bodies, and to live free from prejudice, discrimination and fear. I know a lot of other people who agree with me, and they also know a lot of people, and it turns out the vast majority of people agree with us.

Love wins.

George Marie

Port Townsend