GLOV Co-Chair Todd Metrokin brings us news of this community forum.

Photo: Hans Bruesch

As the issue of marriage equality is being debated in DC, I want to be sure that we don’t lose sight of the ongoing struggle for one of our most basic rights — the right to live our lives free of violence and intimidation.

Last Tuesday, I attended a candlelight vigil for Durval Martins who was on his way home from 17th Street when he was shot several times in the head. Contrary to what some blog-commenters have speculated, he was not robbed, and police confirm this. Durval’s murder occurred after my own attack last July, and was then followed by the beating death of Tony Hunter. As I stood with my candle, I felt increasingly concerned and uneasy that the negative rhetoric surrounding the marriage debate could incite more violence.

Working with GLOV, I now have a better understanding of the complexities and partnerships necessary to ensure our right to walk safely on the streets of DC. It means working with the MPD on diversity training, improving our relationships with faith leaders, lobbying our elected officials to support our right to be free from bias crimes, working within the DC school system to teach tolerance early and to implement a zero-tolerance policy or anti-GLBT harassment, and challenging our judicial system to take these violent crimes seriously.

But one small group of volunteers can only do so much. It’s up to all of us. We all need to be heard, not just in blogs and comment sections, but in numbers that are too strong to go unnoticed. Please join in our Community Forum on Public Safety and Anti-GLBT Crime with DC Chief of Police Cathy Lanier. It’s our chance to show that we are vigilant and serious about making DC safe for our community.

Community Forum on Public Safety and Anti-GLBT Crime
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., NW)
5:00-6:00 pm Community discussion
6:00-7:00 pm Forum with Chief Lanier