Agenda Packet 9-12-18 Work Session

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49 Across the Community Police • I had really bad experiences with the police department. Showing my identification, gender doesn’t align. Officer took my license with him in Springfield. Towed my car because he didn’t believe it was me. • “I feel the least safe when I’m driving.” It’s a fear because of my experiences. There was a question about, is this really you, could you step out of the car. I’m afraid because I don’t know what is going to happen. • “I only feel safe in my house – no other place.” Businesses • I feel most comfortable going to the Lamb. Around my people where I can just be me. • Have friend who works for a TV station; he found out through colleagues that he was not getting promotions like others because he was too gay. Too feminine. Was threatened physically at a laundry place in West Eugene. Is now moving to Washington. • I feel least comfortable in commercial areas because people think that black people steal things; I get looks, glances, people watch me when I’m in stores. • I was assaulted outside of Cowfish. • My roommate was jumped in the parking lot at the Flying Squirrel. As a person of color you need to know where you are. He didn’t look, but I noticed the looks that we were getting. • I’ve been there and had the same feeling of being unsafe. • I was assaulted downtown and I don’t know if it was because of my race. That’s my experience every day. I’m aware of who is around, where the exits are. I’m planning on moving to Seattle because of it. • I do not feel safe in Eugene. • I feel there is no place that I couldn’t go with the exception of West 11th or 99. When I go to LA, it’s like drinking at an oasis in the desert of multicultural and racial experience. Eugene is the first place where I really haven’t had that. • The Lamb, look at the wall on the community project. We wanted to make sure people know Eugene is diverse. Everyone is white except the drag queens who are African American. Housing Jobs K-12 Education • Was in middle school in Eugene as person of color and trans. District did not know how to handle the situation. Teachers spoke of my situation openly without thinking about the consequences of what could happen to me. Didn’t feel safe there, so I skipped. I don’t know what it is like now. People are a little more scared to discuss these topics in middle and elementary. • My kids go to Kelly Middle School where there are gay, trans students dating and holding hands. I just really think what it must be like growing up in this generation; with what’s going on politically, the pendulum could swing back any moment. Higher Education Social Services • Frequently asked where to find a primary care physician who understands gay men’s issues, therapist who is familiar with gay men’s mental health issues • Mental health services in general is an issue. LGBTQ community services are lacking. If you have OHP, then it really gets even harder. OHP has a very long waiting list. • There is a need for centralized information. In other big cities, you have a queer community center where you know to go for information. • People who don’t speak the language are struggling for support. Where are the services and support for these folks? Being a young Latino who doesn’t speak English, your culture is different, etc. Hostile Political Environment • Politically speaking I feel like they’re trying to split us. Can’t judge people based on race or color. • Most people watch television and they grasp information that is not accurate. September 12, 2018, Work Session - Item 1