An Open Letter From Openly Lesbian City Council Member Jovanka Beckles
By Jovanka Beckles
I am the first openly lesbian City Council member in the history of the city of Richmond, [California] where I currently serve as Vice Mayor. I am running for re-election to a second term on the Richmond City Council, where I plan to continue the fight for LGBTQ rights along side the fight for equality and equity of all members of my community.
As you may know, I am a queer Black Latina. I am married to my partner of 14 years and we raised our (now adult) son together. I ran for office to participate in the progressive transformation of Richmond, which is threatening to some. Yet it is not my policies that are consistently criticized. Rather, I have been on the receiving end of repeated homophobic attacks since I entered public office. If you are not familiar with the current situation in Richmond, I would like to share some of it with you here.
Richmond has had a Pride proclamation every year since progressives first were represented on the Council by Gayle McLaughlin, the current mayor. We have flown the Pride flag for LGBTQ month since I joined the Council. We support the RYSE center, an all-inclusive, queer-friendly youth center – something that many of us did not have when we were young.
I am up against a well financed and vocal opposition that includes pro-corporate, sexist members of the council who enable their supporters to unleash a torrent of homophobic hate speech at every meeting. If that isn’t enough, they are attempting to distance me from one of my communities, claiming I am not truly ‘Black’ because I was born in Panama.
I persevere in spite of these nonsensical; albeit painful personal attacks because ultimately it’s not about me: it’s about a greater movement for equality. It’s about our young people who deserve to feel respected and embraced, and it’s about a welcoming atmosphere for our entire city.
What we need now is to raise money to fight these attacks. My campaign does not accept a dime of corporate money, while my opponents have virtually unlimited access to corporate funding. Will you help us stand up for equality?
For more information about Jovanka Beckles or to support her campaign, visit www.jovankabeckles.net. Editor’s note: ELIXHER is not affiliated Beckles’ campaign and encourages our readers to research her stance on issues that are important to them.
*Featured photo courtesy of SFGate
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I live in the Bay Area but not in Richmond, so I’ve read previously about the personal attacks on you. It’s ridiculous. Stay strong, sistah! I will contribute to your campaign!
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