Community shows support for LGBTQ community and Brewmaster’s Taproom after alleged hate crime
Video and Words by Cesar Canizales
Saturday’s cold weather and steady rain did not stop people from going to demonstrate their support for the LGBTQ community and Brewmaster’s Taproom in Renton, which was the target of an alleged hate crime earlier this week.
The taproom has been receiving harassing calls and emails from right-wing extremists since it launched a monthly drag queen story time event. Organizers of this demonstration say the far-right groups were planning to protest Saturday’s drag queen reading.
Renton city councilmember Carmen Rivera is active in the community and decided to show her support for drag queen story time, especially when she heard that right-wing extremists were planning to protest Saturday’s drag queen reading.
“This business is right down the street from my house. And as a queer person, I thought it was important to check in with the community organizing committee member,” said Rivera. “I checked in with the business owner, asked what support they wanted, they would be comfortable with counter protesters and in what capacity and didn't just start working with community and was really impressed with the amount of community that was like, how can we help here?”
Converge Media’s Deaunte Damper led some of the action and talked about why this demonstration of love and support matters.
“This is important because our youth have an opportunity to be and see us as well as human beings. This is an opportunity for us to be able to walk with love,” said Damper. “This year, we already watched six of our community members get slain in a club for just being. This is giving an opportunity, this standing with the community members that we have that aren't here no longer because of bigotry and hate.”
The show of support was overwhelming for organizers and demonstrators alike, including Andrew Ashiofu, a community organizer.
“Allies, community members, organization and elected officials. The huge support is overwhelming, and it makes me feel safe. It makes me feel proud,” said Ashiofu. “But most of all, it makes me feel that my community is loved and appreciated by all. Seeing the allies out there coming up to me saying thank you for organizing this, but also the voices and the people speaking is something that is overwhelming”
Denise Diskin, executive director of the QLaw Foundation in Washington, which supports LGBTQ people who are in the legal system, said it was important for her to show her organization’s support.
“Brewmaster taproom has done a drag queen story for quite a long time. They do it about once a month and it's followed by Drag Bingo. And we love when there are local community businesses that show out and support our community and really show create space for our communities because we're here too. And so it's great to share the cultural practices like drag that we have with our communities.”
Jill Jones came from Auburn after a pastor at her church talked about Brewmaster’s and the harassment it has sustained.
“I just want to be supportive of all queer people and any attempts to be fair and treated equally and love them and also give opportunities for our children to experience all different kinds of people,” said Jones.
Phoenix Star is one of the founders of the Burn Out Brass Band, a HONK! band that plays anti-fascist anthems at local gay bars.
“This is our community. We're here to spread love, spread joy, drown out all the hate// We love our community here. It's an honor to be here,” said Star. “It's just been an amazing outpouring of love today. We didn't really know what to expect, but this has been like the best-case scenario. We're so glad to be here.”
The expected right-wing extremist protest did not materialize, which did not surprise councilmember Rivera.
“I suspected that we were going to outnumber anyone who was going to show up to try to antagonize this amazing, beautiful drag queen scenario where I imagine we're going to outnumber them at least five or 10 to 1,” Rivera said. “They didn't show up because they knew, I think, that there was no opportunity for any type of hate or vitriol with this much love and this much community for love and just for inclusivity.”
Photos by Jordan Somers
