San José’s LGBTQ+ community and its allies rallied at City Hall to see City Councilmember Pam Foley announce an anti-hate resolution.
"Bring to light hate speech that is occurring and hate behavior that is . . . targeting our children," Foley said, according to a Wednesday article from NBC. "It’s [inappropriate]. It’s unacceptable."
The anti-hate resolution, authored by Foley and Councilmember Omar Torres, will be publicly released and voted on in the next few weeks, according to the same article.
Many of the people who attended the press conference were transgender advocates, parents and other councilmembers representing San José’s LGBTQ+ community.
On Sunday, Torres uploaded an Instagram post calling all transgender and LGBTQ+ advocates to come to City Hall to speak after he allegedly received threats online.
“As some of you may know, I have been threatened and attacked for being openly gay BUT for also defending our drag and trans community,” Torres wrote.
Lyseria Kursave, the president of South Bay Pride at Work, shared her story about the time she considered commiting suicide.
“I transitioned in a place where I did not know that I would be safe,” Kursave said.
She said without her best friend, who helped stop her from hurting herself, she would have not been able to speak about her struggles.
“The only reason I stand here today is because . . . my best friend who and I quote said, ‘Don't you fucking leave me.’ ” Kursave said.
Kursave said with her best friend by her side, she found the courage to speak publicly to those who may be going through similar experiences.
Marne Singer, retired data social science expert, said she came to City Hall to join the rally because the LGBTQ+ community is important to her, having family members who are transgender.
“My spouse is trans,” Singer said. “I was with him through his transition. I [also] have a trans granddaughter who's now seven and she started her social transitions in kindergarten.”
Councilmember Pam Foley said the flag-raising ceremony for Silicon Valley Pride week has been a tradition in August for over 20 years.
She said the ceremony was started by former Councilmember Ken Yeager in 2001.
“Last month I stood out here in City Hall Plaza, along with my council colleagues to proclaim Silicon Valley Pride Week and raise the Pride Progress flag and the Transgender flag,” Foley said. “It's a tradition that I am proud to continue.”
Singer said she wants to let anyone who is not comfortable transitioning or coming out to be able to find the right people.
“Look for the people who love you and support [you],” Singer said. “The person who could say, ‘Don't leave me.’ ”
