| In My Opinion – Tab Nute |
To the Editor,
I’m responding to the Town of New Gloucester’s statement on vandals burning a pride flag in a resident’s yard. While I appreciate the effort made on behalf of the town to make an immediate statement, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in New Gloucester, I’m concerned it’s not enough. It’s hard for me to believe the statement will spearhead any real change in those who live here who would take such violent and aggressive actions.
The fact that an individual or group of individuals felt as though they could safely send this message of hate in our town should lead us to wonder what it is about New Gloucester that made them believe this was okay. What microaggressions and biases (both implicit and explicit) exist within our structure that provided a gateway for this aggressive action? We should also ask, what actions are the Town of New Gloucester willing to take to make the residents affected by this action feel safe? How can we rise to meet this challenge on behalf of LGBTQ+ residents, residents of color, or any other individual that exists within a minority or protected class?
I’ve given this much thought as I lay awake, wondering if the pride flag outside my house would make my spouse and me a target. The first thing that sprang to mind is promoting real and true Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. The previous DEI committee failed to bring real change. When the committee includes a chair and vice chair who do not believe in inclusive language and carry harmful and misleading views on individuals who are transgender, nonbinary, or in other ways don’t fit within a cisgender norm, progress will not be made. If the Town wants to truly support its LGBTQ+ population, it needs to take an unwaveringly inclusive stance toward people who aren’t cisgender, straight, or white. There are fewer of us, which means our allies and supporters (including those in Government) should take every opportunity to elevate our voices, so the majority can’t silence us.
Another immediate step the Town could take is to fly a progressive pride flag at its offices. Show us that you’re there for us. Perhaps create a forum for the minority residents of New Gloucester to share with the Town leaders how things can be improved for us.
The most productive way for the Town to make us proud to live here is to ask us what can be done, hear our concerns and fears, and create a truly safer and more inclusive New Gloucester. Dr. Brene Brown defines integrity as “choosing courage over comfort; it’s choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast, or easy; and it’s practicing your values, not just professing them.” She also says that courage is contagious. I hope our leaders will take this opportunity to lead New Gloucester into a new era that includes actionable progress filled with integrity and courage.
Sincerely,
Tab Nute, New Gloucester resident
Eds. note: Tab Nute sent her letter to the members of the Select Board and Town Manager as well as sharing it with NGX.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this opinion piece are solely those of the author. Publication does not reflect endorsement by the NGXchange or its volunteers. NGX welcomes diverse viewpoints and invites your submissions. Learn more here.
