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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Shaun Phoenix 4-21-14From:shaun phoenix To:Agenda Subject:Bozeman and discrimination Date:Sunday, April 20, 2014 11:07:27 AM Hi there, I am a longtime resident of Bozeman, and have been a self-employed businessprofessional here for decades. I also raised a lovely daughter here, who continuesto live in Bozeman at age 25. My father and my beloved spouse relocated fromother states to live near/with me six years ago, so I've certainly done my part increating a Bozeman that is loving, welcoming, vibrant and productive. I want to include my voice IN FAVOR OF Bozeman's adopting a comprehensivenondiscrimination policy. I am a psychotherapist, and have worked for many yearswith gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender clients. I see firsthand the pain,struggle, devastation and hopelessness engendered in individuals whose basic senseof self is met by judgment, cruelty and ignorance. It feels like the big missing piece here is folks' inability to grasp the fact that we aretalking about INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE here. Not "types," or "identities," or "groups." Real individuals. Men, women, teenagers, children ... doing their best to understandthemselves, trying to find their place in the world, trying to be loving, good,contributing members of society. In the case of transgendered individuals, they facea deep, painful, soul-searching life journey as they discover that the body they wereborn into does not align with the inner truth they feel regarding who they are. They're not perverts, weirdos, sickos, or sinners. They are people born with a birthdefect, and they take courageous (and costly) steps to correct this birth defect. They're not trying to get extra attention or be put on a pedestal or receive specialtreatment. Frankly, most of the trans folks I know would like nothing better than tosimply blend in and be part of our community without drawing any attention to thisbirth defect. Allowing them to use the public restrooms that align with who they areis simple common sense, and a compassionate and intelligent option. Bozeman has not always been a friendly town to people of color, to people of non-Christian religions, and especially to LGBTQ people. We, like much of Montana, havebeen thought of as rather backwash, backwoods, extra-conservative, judgmental,unfriendly, unwelcoming ... not the kind of place that feels like a welcomingdestination for a vacation, or for a college-age child, or for a retiring couple. Thankfully, that's been changing over the years. I am frankly appalled that there'sbeen so much stalling on moving forward on this issue -- I thought Bozeman hadgrown up already! Please, open your hearts, open your eyes. Actually learn about the people you'repreparing to exclude. Actually learn about the issues. Step away from people'svarious interpretations of the Bible, which is irrelevant in civil discourse. Don't keepholding Bozeman in the age of the dinosaurs -- let's leave that to the Museum of theRockies, please. Bozeman needs a nondiscrimination ordinance, and the world will celebrate andsupport this choice. In gratitude, Shaun Phoenix, MS, LCPC -- Shaun Phoenix, MS, LCPC is a private practice counselor in Bozeman, Montana, whose work focuses on moving beyond surviving to thriving. When she's not working with clients, she's alsoa drummer, a songwriter and musician, and a shamanic practitioner and mentor. Visit safepassagecounseling.com, and "like" Many Hands Light Work on Facebook for information onclasses, workshops and retreats.