A LETTER FROM THE SAFE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Last night, Mayor Grimm’s vote to remove critical LGBTQ+ protections from Sandpoint’s non-discrimination ordinance takes our community backwards; but it does not weaken our resolve to keep Sandpoint welcoming and safe for all. Fear not: We’re already at the drawing board, though we might need a few naps and some coffee before we’re back at our peak. 

Nearly 500 individuals and 80 business owners from across Sandpoint came together to speak out in support of the original, comprehensive ordinance, because it reflected our fundamental values of treating everyone with dignity and respect. You rallied in a matter of days, sharing your stories and offering your support for the original, comprehensive ordinance. You warned city leadership that weakening the measure would invite harm in our community. Many of you wrote letters, joined last night’s hearing, or spoke about the ordinance’s importance in your lives. 

Mayor Grimm and some members of the City Council chose to disregard the evidence, rationally evaluate your concerns,  and refused to work toward a solution that addressed the needs of all citizens. In doing so, they failed to care and protect our community and the humans we love and live next door to.

And while we watched the dysfunction, the interruptions, the bias, the refusal to compromise, the distraction from the broader issue; while we heard heart-breaking stories of discrimination and ignorance, and witnessed the courage of women speak about their histories, we also experienced a community gathered and engaged to speak their truth, to stand up for those afraid or unable to. 

We want to thank you. These last weeks, each and every one of you has offered us the validation, morale, and encouragement. You have affirmed the proud and kind voices we knew were in this community. We are committed to our work in uplifting them, to creating change, and ensuring all feel safe in our community and beyond. 

Anti-LGBTQ+ animus and a willingness to tolerate discrimination drove last night’s vote, plain and simple. While it wasn’t the outcome we hoped for, we have gained something powerful: A growing community committed to protecting and celebrating one another. We are more committed than ever to building a joyful, safe, and vibrant Sandpoint in which everyone can thrive. And we couldn’t be happier or more honored to be collaborating with you in that mission. 

Power and safety come from the strength of our relationships and our commitment to our community. We want to gather in solidarity and gratitude with you. Please join us on December 2 from 5-7pm at Matchwood Brewing for an evening to celebrate you and solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

With gratitude and awe,

The entire SAFE Board of Directors & Staff

READ THE LETTER

Our Collective Safety

We are mindful that we are transitioning through a historic time when we are politically divided by irrational hostilities and acts of violence. These are the difficult birth pains of a more just and compassionate nation that, nonetheless, make many in our community wonder about safety during public gatherings. We have learned that we as a community keep ourselves safe when we act in partnership as individuals, community organizations, businesses, and public officials . We believe the vast majority of Americans want to live in safe, respectful communities. Sandpoint has always been a place of community — working together to solve her problems.

These shared values of peace and respect for all are what make Sandpoint exceptional.

Our LGBTQI2S community is as diverse as the nation we live in. We are white and people of color, liberal and conservative, rich and poor/working-class, people of many faiths, and others, agnostic or atheist in outlook. What unites us is a spirit and attitude of love and respect for queer and trans humanity. We expect people who attend our events to be willing to affirm this love and respect for the LGBTQI2S community as a matter of principle and because it is genuinely felt. There will be times when insincere people will present themselves as friendly yet show their true colors of discrimination when asked to affirm their intention of love and respect.

Queer and trans people who attend our events do not want to be questioned about their lives nor engage in debate. Our lives are not up for debate.

But rest assured, we will always respect the disrespectful even as we escort them off the site, which is private property, for violating our principles of safety and respect.

Practicing Safety, together.

Regional Resources & Partnerships.  We have established formal relationships with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS), Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, North Idaho Pride Alliance, Spectrum Center of Spokane, Western States Center, Equality Labs, City of Sandpoint, and Sandpoint Police Department. We have synthesized their advice, insights gained from past experiences, and recommendations.

Proactive Training. Over 90 volunteer members of our organization are trained in peacekeeping and de-escalation skills!

Community Agreements.  Love is a verb. We keep each other safe when we remember this and keep community agreements close to our hearts-whenever we come together as the diverse people we are to affirm the principles of democracy, freedom, and equality. Our goal, desire, and future organizing work will be the creation of a diverse community of individuals who think more clearly, feel more deeply, and behave more responsibly. The first step towards this goal is accepting some basic agreements about public gatherings.  Our community agreements can be found at the bottom of this page.

See Something, Say Something:  In the event of an incident that requires the immediate attention of law enforcement or paramedics, please call 911. The City of Sandpoint Police are ready to help. Any observations you may have about the behavior of someone which is troubling or potentially harmful should be reported immediately.

Consensual Content: We ask organizational volunteers, vendors, attendees, and those following along online to be mindful of sharing and tagging content that is consensual among those captured in photos or video. Please be sure your content is thoughtful, respectful, and embodies the mind of a peacekeeper. Please do not make assumptions about fellow event attendees, their identities, and/or comfort with appearing in photos publicly. Please do your best to ask for consent before posting, sharing, and tagging. 

SAFE Community Agreements

1. Be Respectful. Affirm the dignity of your fellow LGBTQI2S community members through kindness and respect.

2. See something, Say something. Power and safety come from the strength of our relationships and our commitment to our community. Please report any concerns, no matter how big or small.

3. Zero Engagement with Protesters. In the event of a protest, follow the mindset of a peacekeeper. Do not engage in negative dialogue or debate. Debating only serves to reinforce their belief they have a valid position. Our rights, freedom, dignity, our lives, are not debatable. Learn to internalize a total indifference to their presumed positions of authority. Live a proactive life, not a reactive one.