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Contributed commentary by Sam Smith of Clarksville:
I have just finished reading (Montgomery County GOP Chairman) Doug Englen’s opinion piece regarding C-Pride, which will be taking place at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center in downtown Clarksville.
Let me start off by saying that Mr. Englen’s rhetoric towards the queer community of Clarksville is nothing short of distasteful. As someone who has had the great privilege of meeting and supporting various LGBTQ people in and around the Clarksville area, I am here to say that the tones expressed in his opinion piece do not match the colorful, welcoming and diverse vibe of the people I have interacted with.
In his article, Mr. Englen states, “What is a major concern is the insistence on including children in this event. Why are they looking for impressionable young minds?” which is an obvious nod to the demonizing, inaccurate rhetoric often spouted by conservative figureheads nowadays when discussing gay and trans people.
For years now, many of our state politicians have been using these vile talking points to paint a horrible picture of the LGBTQ community: they are mischievous, disgusting, sexualized and violent. Again, as someone who is constantly surrounded by LGBTQ individuals, this is simply not true! Queer people are everywhere, whether they be your neighbor, your teacher, your elected official, etc. They all desire a normal, fulfilling life, just as you do. Nonetheless, thanks to these negative descriptions, the progress made towards gay rights in Tennessee has been under constant attack, from the unconstitutional restriction of drag shows, to the removal of protections for queer foster kids, who can now be adopted into homophobic and unsupportive households.
The bottom line for allowing kids at Pride is very simple: to show these kids that people can love whatever gender they want, and have the right to identify themselves and live their lives freely. The fundamental idea of Pride is rooted in self-expression, the right to free speech, and the overwhelming support of love and all the joy that it brings. Love really is love, regardless if it involves straight or gay couples!
Mr. Englen has labeled me, as well as any other LGBTQ person or supporter, a follower of “a destructive, deviant lifestyle.” He should be ashamed that he is contributing to the increasingly homophobic and transphobic state of Tennessee politics, which has made many innocent LGBTQ people feel very excluded and unsafe. I encourage him to stop spouting this misleading, bigoted rhetoric, and see the queer community for what it is: a loving, accepting people who are willing to do what it takes to stop prejudice in its tracks.
Sam Smith