Fresh perspectives on the discussion over a neighborhood's identity.
Chicago, IL -
Boystown; for some, it's home. For some, it's a weekend, sometimes weekday, get-away of cocktails, forgotten conversations, and carefree attitudes. However, for some segments of the LGBT community, in particular black youth, Boystown is a safe haven – a haven away from a less accepting, often mentally crippling community. Black LGBT youth travel to Boystown because it's okay to be gay, it's okay to dress a certain way, it's okay to talk in a certain tone, and ultimately, it's okay to be yourself. To be one's self in the company of fellow LGBT-indentifying members isn't a mere rite of passage but a goal for some black LGBT youth. However, in the eyes of some LGBT black youth, that goal of escaping to a safe haven that is Boystown is becoming the very same unaccepting community that even sparked such a need to escape. With recent news and unwelcoming isolated experiences, many black LGBT youth are questioning where do they go now, and where do they belong?
After the release of a videotaped beating and stabbing of a 25-year-old man and other violent crimes in the Lakeview area, some residents have channeled their support into the Facebook page Taking Back Boystown. With over 3,500 Facebook fans, the group has attracted both positive and negative feedback. According to the group's Facebook fan page, the page was created to offer a platform for ideas, suggestions, and thoughts on how to preserve Boystown as a safe neighborhood. The group has attracted some racial controversial comments from different users. For example, one user posted the following comment:
"They also happen to be very noticeably out of place!! So why are they not questioned and asked to leave by the police is amazing! Check their ID and if they don't live there ask them to enter an establishment or leave!!! …They travel from all over the city to infest 'Boystown' with their ghetto mentality and violet [sic] attitude! Watching that video really has sickened me!!! It is what it is, and they were all Black!"
The comment and similar controversial comments have since been deleted by Facebook administrators. Even with Taking Back Boystown's grassroots mission of keeping Boystown a safe neighborhood, the group does have certain people asking, "Who are they taking back Boystown from?"
David Dodd, director of marketing for Windy City Black Pride, is involved in a number of community activities that target the black LGBT community such as Windy City Black Pride, K Dock Media, a boutique event and marketing firm, and Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus (CBGMC), was quite frank of his initial thoughts of Boystown – mostly "Caucasian and yuppie." Although Dodd hasn't had any major instances of racial profiling, he does note that after the release of the videotape beating, on his way to his car with friends, police have asked him to remove himself from the corner even though he is in route to his car and is not just "hanging out". Dodd remembers the police not asking people of other races on the corner or street to leave.
"As much as I don't' want to attribute it to racial profiling or anything like that - I'm not one to pull the race card, but I do think that particular incident is specific to the videotaped beating and trying to keep the area safe. However, if you're going to ask people to remove themselves from corners, they need to ask everyone," he said.
Dodd goes on to share his initial thoughts of the Facebook page, Taking Back Boystown. Confused, he questioned whether the group was from a color perspective but soon decided to assume that the page was in reference to cleaning up the streets of crime and violence. Dodd isn't alone in his homogenized view of Boystown.
22-year-old gay man Benjamin Perry is a volunteer for Gender JUST, a member-led, multi-generational & multi-racial grassroots organization of LGBTQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & allied) young people, and people of color, feels that even though Boystown is a place where LGBT people go to express themselves, the understanding of other races is at a bare minimum. When Perry walks through Boystown, he feels like he is being judged and stereotyped as being "loud, obnoxious, and ghetto."
"I feel like Boystown is more so a white Boystown then a cultural Boystown. Although I haven't experienced any direct racism in Boystown, the atmosphere is a bit off for me. People tend to act more abrasive when they see me. They'll give me weird stares or even move out the way before I'm even in their way. It seems like I'm taboo to them." said Perry.
Even with the recent backlash of Taking Back Boystown, some Boystown residents believe that the group is a step in the right direction of keeping Boystown safe and has nothing to do with race. Steven Moore has been living in Boystown for the past two years and supports the group. Moore doesn't feel like he losing his neighborhood but does agree that there needs to be some sort of response to the recent violent crimes.
"People thinking that Taking Back Boystown is racist are inevitable because of the direction and origin of the people who are bringing the problems. It doesn't matter what your race is – you're brought up one way and it shouldn't matter what the color of your skin is," said Moore.
Moore believes that the visitors who are causing problems in the community aren't coming to Boystown to engage in illegal activity or cause problems. Instead, he blames their upbringing, background, and not realizing the consequences. "There's no question in my mind that it's not a race issue," continues Moore. Overall, Moore believes that Boystown is welcoming to other races.
Equality Illinois' CEO Bernard Cherkasov believes just that – Boystown should be a place that is welcoming to all people. Chervasov is surprised by the lack of empathy for fellow minority LGBT individuals.
"I find even the language of Taking Back Boystown a little bit problematic. Taking Back Boystown; who are we taking it back from and who are we taking it back for? We are concerned that all members of the LGBT community will be treated with dignity and respect to live their life. There's a lack of understanding and support for the most under resourced and under privileged members of our own community and that to me is a little bit disturbing," said Cherkasov.
Amidst all the controversy, one organization is taking on a different stance to address the issues. Youth Pride Service (YPS), a youth-led organization that works to educate, empower, and engage LGBT youth of color, has launched its Be Great!!! Facebook campaign, a campaign - funded by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services - that encourages and puts forward the effort to show black LGBT youth that there is more to life than just the streets, violence, substances, and partying. Be Great !!! promotes education, success, and opportunities according to the group's Facebook page. PSAs, workshops, and mock scenarios that offer youth alternatives to violence are slated to be included in the campaign. Frank Walker, founder of YPS, is excited to offer youth of color a hands-on and interactive alternative to violence and to reaching their potential.
"We have to stop violence amongst youth of color first before we can even tackle the entire Boystown problem. We're approaching the issue from a different angle, which encourages youth to be great," said Walker.
The LGBT community is a minority community itself. Historically, Boystown was an escape for LGBT –identifying members from non-welcoming straight establishments. This same escape is needed for fellow LGBT youth of color. While it is important that Boystown visitors and residents maintain a certain level of respect for one another and the community, isolated incidents of criminal activity should be kept as just that – isolated. Everyone experiences a different type of Boystown. Rather it's an escape or a weekend get-away, the neighborhood serves a purpose. Promoted as a cultural center and a national entertainment hub for the LGBT community, Boystown's purpose isn't limited to class, race, religion, and lately even sexuality.
After the release of a videotaped beating and stabbing of a 25-year-old man and other violent crimes in the Lakeview area, some residents have channeled their support into the Facebook page Taking Back Boystown. With over 3,500 Facebook fans, the group has attracted both positive and negative feedback. According to the group's Facebook fan page, the page was created to offer a platform for ideas, suggestions, and thoughts on how to preserve Boystown as a safe neighborhood. The group has attracted some racial controversial comments from different users. For example, one user posted the following comment:
"They also happen to be very noticeably out of place!! So why are they not questioned and asked to leave by the police is amazing! Check their ID and if they don't live there ask them to enter an establishment or leave!!! …They travel from all over the city to infest 'Boystown' with their ghetto mentality and violet [sic] attitude! Watching that video really has sickened me!!! It is what it is, and they were all Black!"
The comment and similar controversial comments have since been deleted by Facebook administrators. Even with Taking Back Boystown's grassroots mission of keeping Boystown a safe neighborhood, the group does have certain people asking, "Who are they taking back Boystown from?"
David Dodd, director of marketing for Windy City Black Pride, is involved in a number of community activities that target the black LGBT community such as Windy City Black Pride, K Dock Media, a boutique event and marketing firm, and Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus (CBGMC), was quite frank of his initial thoughts of Boystown – mostly "Caucasian and yuppie." Although Dodd hasn't had any major instances of racial profiling, he does note that after the release of the videotape beating, on his way to his car with friends, police have asked him to remove himself from the corner even though he is in route to his car and is not just "hanging out". Dodd remembers the police not asking people of other races on the corner or street to leave.
"As much as I don't' want to attribute it to racial profiling or anything like that - I'm not one to pull the race card, but I do think that particular incident is specific to the videotaped beating and trying to keep the area safe. However, if you're going to ask people to remove themselves from corners, they need to ask everyone," he said.
Dodd goes on to share his initial thoughts of the Facebook page, Taking Back Boystown. Confused, he questioned whether the group was from a color perspective but soon decided to assume that the page was in reference to cleaning up the streets of crime and violence. Dodd isn't alone in his homogenized view of Boystown.
22-year-old gay man Benjamin Perry is a volunteer for Gender JUST, a member-led, multi-generational & multi-racial grassroots organization of LGBTQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & allied) young people, and people of color, feels that even though Boystown is a place where LGBT people go to express themselves, the understanding of other races is at a bare minimum. When Perry walks through Boystown, he feels like he is being judged and stereotyped as being "loud, obnoxious, and ghetto."
"I feel like Boystown is more so a white Boystown then a cultural Boystown. Although I haven't experienced any direct racism in Boystown, the atmosphere is a bit off for me. People tend to act more abrasive when they see me. They'll give me weird stares or even move out the way before I'm even in their way. It seems like I'm taboo to them." said Perry.
Even with the recent backlash of Taking Back Boystown, some Boystown residents believe that the group is a step in the right direction of keeping Boystown safe and has nothing to do with race. Steven Moore has been living in Boystown for the past two years and supports the group. Moore doesn't feel like he losing his neighborhood but does agree that there needs to be some sort of response to the recent violent crimes.
"People thinking that Taking Back Boystown is racist are inevitable because of the direction and origin of the people who are bringing the problems. It doesn't matter what your race is – you're brought up one way and it shouldn't matter what the color of your skin is," said Moore.
Moore believes that the visitors who are causing problems in the community aren't coming to Boystown to engage in illegal activity or cause problems. Instead, he blames their upbringing, background, and not realizing the consequences. "There's no question in my mind that it's not a race issue," continues Moore. Overall, Moore believes that Boystown is welcoming to other races.
Equality Illinois' CEO Bernard Cherkasov believes just that – Boystown should be a place that is welcoming to all people. Chervasov is surprised by the lack of empathy for fellow minority LGBT individuals.
"I find even the language of Taking Back Boystown a little bit problematic. Taking Back Boystown; who are we taking it back from and who are we taking it back for? We are concerned that all members of the LGBT community will be treated with dignity and respect to live their life. There's a lack of understanding and support for the most under resourced and under privileged members of our own community and that to me is a little bit disturbing," said Cherkasov.
Amidst all the controversy, one organization is taking on a different stance to address the issues. Youth Pride Service (YPS), a youth-led organization that works to educate, empower, and engage LGBT youth of color, has launched its Be Great!!! Facebook campaign, a campaign - funded by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services - that encourages and puts forward the effort to show black LGBT youth that there is more to life than just the streets, violence, substances, and partying. Be Great !!! promotes education, success, and opportunities according to the group's Facebook page. PSAs, workshops, and mock scenarios that offer youth alternatives to violence are slated to be included in the campaign. Frank Walker, founder of YPS, is excited to offer youth of color a hands-on and interactive alternative to violence and to reaching their potential.
"We have to stop violence amongst youth of color first before we can even tackle the entire Boystown problem. We're approaching the issue from a different angle, which encourages youth to be great," said Walker.
The LGBT community is a minority community itself. Historically, Boystown was an escape for LGBT –identifying members from non-welcoming straight establishments. This same escape is needed for fellow LGBT youth of color. While it is important that Boystown visitors and residents maintain a certain level of respect for one another and the community, isolated incidents of criminal activity should be kept as just that – isolated. Everyone experiences a different type of Boystown. Rather it's an escape or a weekend get-away, the neighborhood serves a purpose. Promoted as a cultural center and a national entertainment hub for the LGBT community, Boystown's purpose isn't limited to class, race, religion, and lately even sexuality.
