![]() ![]() He spoke about the history of racial discrimination on the north side of Chicago within the LGBTQ community that persists to this day. He was angry and hurt when he read about the incident.Ĭhicago Department of Public Health LGBTQ Health Outreach Liaison Antonio King added that respect for one another is key community members' wellbeing, as is the ability to be one's authentic self. Rubber Willy talked about how much the community is evolving and said Touche's management needs to do so as well. He echoed Legionnaire's sentiment that it had to be addressed immediately. That the feeling was taken away after last November's incident. He pointed to the fact that this incident happened two months ago, and this dialogue should have happened sooner.įox ONYX spoke about the COVID-19 safety measures that Touche had, which made the bar a safe space for him. ![]() Legionnaire ONYX said that there had been a lack of true accountability, including a dialogue between the parties "so there can be learning" and the opportunity to move forward. Green thanked them for being at the discussion. He also asked if anyone from Touche was in the audience. Turning to the November incident, Green asked how audience members have felt since that time. The answers varied, including a Pet Patrol member who said it was after 9/11 because people would ask "what was this Muslim doing here." Miguel Torres said he had heard from trans and non-binary people who told him Touche has never felt safe for them. Green asked when Touche started to feel unsafe to them. In terms of safe spaces specifically, the audience generally agreed that, for many in Chicago, Touche had been theirs. Another person focused on knowing that people in a space, especially those in positions of authority, care, and that if they make mistakes they learn from them, so as to do better going forward. One person said that meant being able to go to a bar and not having to hide certain parts of himself while feeling fully protected by the community. What does it mean it mean to have a safe space?" Green, who is not an ONYX member, said he considers himself "ONYX adjacent," and added, "The heart of this discussion is really a conversation about safe space. ONYX Midwest President Subzero ONYX said he was glad this forum was taking place so the community could find ways to move forward. ONYX Midwest Vice President Legendary ONYX provided some ground rules, including being respectful of one another and the space and being mindful of word choices when speaking. Onyx Midwest decided to step in and provide the community with a space to discuss this and other issues.Ĭhicago Black Gay Men's Caucus Interim Executive Director Dr. As of this publication, Touche has not indicated that a future gathering date will take place. 9 gathering to discuss the issue was scheduled by Touche management, but was canceled after Touche's manager, David Boyer, fell ill. During the performance some customers became visibly upset and offended by Halliday's caricature of a Black woman and left the event, with one bartender also quitting that evening.įollowing the event, the bar's management apologized in a written statement and Halliday stated he would no longer include SistaGirl in his act.Ī Nov. Touche Chicago hired Las Vegas-based puppeteer Jerry Halliday to perform at its anniversary celebration and, among the puppets he brought was the character SistaGirl, who is Black. 1, 2022, ONYX Midwest hosted a community forum Jan. In a response to the racist performance that took place at the leather, fetish and bear-focused Touche Chicago's 45th anniversary celebration on Nov. This article shared 2975 times since Sun Jan 22, 2023 ![]()
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