Still work to do

Dear Readers,

Over the past several months, I have tried to stay away from politics when it comes to writing this column. However, I realized that issues we deal with on a local, national or international basis are the topics I am most inspired to write my thoughts and ideas about. (Oh my, did I just end that sentence in a preposition?) Throughout the primary season, I often found myself incensed by the sexist treatment the press gave Clinton or how the press would derail issues by focusing on race, class etc. Even Washington University decided to bestow an honorary degree on the queen of the anti-feminist movement, Phyllis Schlafly!

June marks the month we celebrate Pride all over the United States. This year we have many great things to celebrate, such as the ruling by the California Supreme Court regarding same sex marriage and New York ruling they will recognize same sex marriages from other states! Just when it seems really good things are happening, something will happen that reminds you there is plenty of work to do in our community.

I recently testified at a hearing with the Board of Adjustment in the City of St. Louis. One of my neighbors in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood is a reverend of a church in the area. He had applied for a permit to expand his restaurant/donut shop. He had been denied based on lack of parking. I attended this hearing and spoke my piece regarding the dilapidated condition of the building and no documentation of what was going to be done and what timeline he planned for completion of the project. Not to mention, I agreed there was not ample parking for a restaurant without making a parking lot on the property. Once I finished I left the hearing.

I was told the following day by another neighborhood person the reverend got up to rebut me by telling the board "that lady is a homosexual and supports homosexual ideals and does not like my church.” I found it hard to believe the board allowed him to continue. But more than that, my problem with what he was planning had nothing to do with who I am or his church. It had to do with the lack of pride he takes in his property.

Needless to say, this bothered me and reinforced the notion that we have a long way to go when it comes to being dealt with as an individual rather than a concept and all the prejudices that go along with that concept.

Happy Pride,
Pam