Guest Post: Hanging Posters Up for a Better Community

5/17/23
By Glenda Russell, LGBTQ+ Historian and member of OBC's Advocacy & Public Policy Committee

We have all seen it. Through both formal and informal campaigns, various political actors and groups have directed demeaning rhetoric toward and placed legislative restraints on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and especially transgender and non-binary people. These actions are not new. They have been used against LGBTQ+ people before. Indeed, they have been—and are being used against other marginalized groups as well. That is, after all, one of the ways marginalized groups get used: to siphon off frustration, to distract us from political situations that are not in our best interests, to raise money, and to court votes.

These efforts may have a negative impact on the marginalized groups. It doesn't feel good to be singled out, stereotyped, lied about, and excluded from the larger community. And it certainly doesn't feel good to be silenced, to have your history denied, or to have access to medically necessary care curtailed.

These efforts may also have another kind of impact. If not challenged, they may erode our standing in the community. People may wonder (or wonder more) if the stereotypes and lies are really true. This may lead to further marginalization.

We say "NO!" to that. Even more importantly, we say "Yes!" to our community and our allies.

Out Boulder County has created two posters to bring a positive message to the community in the face of the exclusionary rhetoric and actions. We remind folks that we are here and we bring value to the community.  These posters are rooted in sound research that originated in Colorado many years ago but has been amplified all over the country and internationally. The posters' message is critical at times like these. And their look is perfect, thanks to the great skills of Will Betke-Brunswick, a cartoonist who recently released their graphic memoir, A Pros and Cons List for Strong Feelings.

Take a look at these posters. Anti-Trans & Anti-Queer Politics: Encountering Stressors & Building Resistance addresses what LGBTQ+ people can do to manage and even grow from the experience of these campaigns. Support Trans & Queer People: Actions That Work is directed at allies—new as well as experienced—who want to interrupt the toxic messages and support the LGBTQ+ community.

We want you to print out or pick up these posters and put them everywhere. OK, we know you'll want one for yourself, but it's especially important to place them where others will see them. We want everyone to know they are not powerless in the face of the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation. We want people to be safer and more empowered. We want to remind everyone of what kind of community we want to grow.

Thank you for getting these posters out there and helping to make our community better!