by Natalie Hanson
posted March 28
Chico’s Stonewall Alliance is pushing back against nationwide anti-trans rhetoric by bringing together allies and LGBTQ people to stand by their trans neighbors, culminating with a rally Sunday.
The nonprofit organization, which provides resources to LGBTQ people and their families, organized special programming throughout the last week of March, such as workshops and training sessions.
Executive Director Justina Sotelo led one of these sessions March 24, one of several workshops designed to train people on being bystanders prepared to handle escalating incidents where an LGBTQ person is targeted with threats or worse.
“This information will be helpful for all actions, rallies, protests, and daily situations we may find ourselves in as active allies to trans people and other marginalized communities,” Sotelo told a group of nine attendees in a video workshop.
Sotelo, presenting several videos on responding to public incidents with a perpetrator and victim — or “target” of threats — emphasized the importance of managing one’s emotions and practicing self-awareness to de-escalate conflicts. She asked if anyone had witnessed a situation where a queer person was unsafe and felt unsure how to help, and several attendees said they had.
Sotelo presented a wide range of examples of disrespect toward queer people from name calling and “jokes,” to verbal harassment and doxxing. Speaking up can look different in various situations, from ignoring the perpetrator and speaking only to the victim, to directly confronting a perpetrator. The approach varies based on many factors, including the power dynamics and whether there’s a clear physical threat, she said.
“Follow the lead of the target,” Sotelo said. “Don’t make things worse.”
Several attendees said they’ve used the strategy of distracting a perpetrator, not always with success. Participant Florence Ives said they’re working on not being reactive and avoiding argument with perpetrators in order to help protect a victim or “target.”
“If you can’t get involved until the person leaves, then you wait, and then get involved with the target where they are at,” Ives said.
Sotelo said that sometimes intervention cannot take place immediately to protect a victim of harassment or threats. A bystander must carefully consider a victim’s safety, she said.
“This idea of keeping their safety in mind is best because we may not be the best to intervene,” Sotelo said. She added that when it comes to perpetrators who are willing to publicly attack an LGBTQ person, allies must remember that arguing is not helpful. “There’s a reality where we’re not going to change their minds.”
Stonewall Alliance has two events planned for the weekend, including a poster making event on Saturday. Attendees are encouraged to make signs to use for the following day’s rally supporting the trans community.
The rally, the Trans Day of Visibility Action, starts at 11 a.m. Sunday at City Plaza in downtown Chico. It’s slated to end at 2 p.m. and will include booths aimed at raising awareness about anti-trans boycotts, inclusive school-based and business policies, and letter-writing campaigns aimed at elected officials.
“The intention of this rally is to do more than just gather,” Stonewall Alliance said in a press release. “We’re also here to take real action on things that affect the lives of trans people and our whole community.”
Natalie Hanson is a contributing editor to ChicoSol.