Arlington LGBTQ community turns out to counter hate at council meeting
Arlington’s LGBTQ community rallied its troops on Tuesday, turning out a crowd to attend the Arlington City Council meeting after word spread that right-wing forces would be at the meeting to speak in opposition to any official recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month by the council.
DeeJay Johannesen, CEO of HELP Center for LGBT Health & Wellness Center, was among those attending the council. Here is his report on the meeting last night: “What a great night for Arlington and the LGBT community! “Our community and its allies turned out in force last night [Tuesday, May 24] in favor of Arlington recognizing Gay Pride Month and encouraging Pride Month-related activities.
Last week, we received information that a fanatical faction would ‘flood the council chambers’ in opposition to any recognition of or support for Gay Pride Month in Arlington.
The issue was not on the agenda, so anyone speaking had to do so during the Public Comment section of the meeting. “The best initial estimates are that 120 individuals attended in support of the LGBT community and only 15 in opposition. “Attendees had the option to sign up, speak or simply express their support by wearing a Pride sticker.
