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Contributed commentary from Charles Uffelman of Clarksville:
Doug Englen’s op-ed Friday condemning Clarksville’s returning LGBTQ+ Pride Festival was an embarrassment for our city and the organizations he represents. Englen serves as chair for the Montgomery County Republican Party, the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, and as Fort Campbell representative for Bell Flight.
Those invited to speak at Pride have all had a hand in supporting not only the Pride Festival, but several other festivals that promote the diversity of our city, many of which his party has failed to attend, including both Juneteenth festivals. Every organization had an opportunity to attend by reserving a booth.
This week marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic murder of Fort Campbell soldier Barry Winchell. Pvt. Winchell fell for a transgender woman, Calpernia Addams, whom he met while she was performing at a bar in Nashville. That’s when the harassment started. In the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the young private had no one to whom he could turn for help – reporting the harassment would have resulted in a discharge from the Army. His death at the hands of his fellow soldiers kicked off a national debate on human rights for the LGBTQ+ community and whether they could serve openly in the military.
There are others, such as the local drag performer killed while working at a gay bar here in town in the early ’90s and the Austin Peay professor who jumped to his death after being outed by a local paper in the ’80s. Homophobia has claimed the lives of too many in our town. C Pride is just one way we honor their memories while also supporting queer people of all ages who struggle with bullying, their own identity, and thoughts of suicide.
MORE: Gay history in Clarksville: 6 pivotal moments for local LGBTQ community
I am proud of the team that put together Pride this weekend. With the company of friends and allies we enjoyed a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for people of all ages. Among the booths were churches, a law enforcement agency, local businesses, health care providers and nonprofits – a true cross section of our city. It was a safe event thanks to the support of the Clarksville Police and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, many of whom volunteered to work in the blazing heat. The diversity of the crowd included folks Mr. Englen claims to represent. There were undoubtedly Republicans, members of the Chamber of Commerce, and soldiers from Fort Campbell among the attendees.
No, there was no vulgarity or lewd acts performed. Mr. Englen’s hysteria over performances that were comparable to the TV show M*A*S*H’s character Corporal Klinger was unjustified. Similar scorn by councilmember Travis Holleman, who resigned from the Parks and Recreation committee and called the LGBTQ+ community Satanic, are symptoms of a recent uptick in bigotry directed at queer folks. It’s not who we are as a city.
On Saturday, contrary to what Mr. Englen thinks, Clarksville’s values were on display. The people of Clarksville welcomed one another and celebrated one another. We introduced attendees to resources for physical and mental health, family law, adoption planning, churches that welcome them in their pews, Realtors to sell them homes, and support groups so that the next young soldier being harassed has someone to turn to, and many others have the resources to thrive in our city. Those are values I want Clarksville to be known for – not homophobic rants.
Charles Uffelman