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Contributed commentary by Nicholas Wojack of Clarksville.
Councilman Travis Holleman’s recent outburst of anti-Pride rhetoric and fear-mongering against the LGBTQ+ residents of Clarksville is by now well-known.
Mr. Holleman proudly said during the City Council meeting on June 28, “The LGBTQ+ community is a threat to the city.” The community is troubled by what he said; I am worried about the blistering ignorance and self-righteousness from which the lies in this narrative are propagated.
As a council member, his commitment to hearing out constituents who are part of the LGBTQ+ community lacks both the necessary willingness and authenticity to understand their perspectives. Instead, he has chosen a different way of addressing this commitment, namely, by absorbing extreme views fueling his outspoken prejudice against LGBTQ+ people. This particular approach was exemplified at the council meeting, where he labeled Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officers as Communist propaganda machines. Furthermore, he mischaracterized the purpose of Pride celebrations by claiming that they are about indoctrination. In reality, Pride is about awareness, inclusivity, and a moment to reflect on the community as a whole.
As a community, we recognize the source of these actions that seem impervious to reason, the pride he takes in his fierce adversity to the viewpoints of others. It is now an open question whether he should remain on the council. The very balance tilts between his removal or his return as a renewed councilman who has allowed other views to inform his perspective. I hope he allows himself the benefit of reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community in order to form a bond that helps him understand the impact of his words.
Nicholas Wojack