At the Seattle LGBTQ Commission’s meeting, a member of the public made statements that caused commission members to believe they were armed while delivering public comment. Those statements resulted in City Hall security being alerted of a potential firearm in the room. The individual who made the comment left the meeting room shortly after security was notified and the threat did not escalate further. It was later learned that this individual and another individual who also delivered public comment have well known associations to anti-transgender groups and may have been attempting to provoke a response from the LGBTQ Commission based on our public statements regarding violence at Cal Anderson park earlier this year. We're deeply disappointed to have experienced this heightened security risk inside of City Hall and recognize the potential severity of this situation, particularly as we experience an increasingly aggressive atmosphere towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ people across the country. Despite potential violence and provocation, the Commission will not tolerate intimidation and remains committed to the principles of public comment, open dialogue, and is unwavering in our commitment to advising the mayor’s office, city council, and city departments on issues related to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in our city. We stand proudly, firmly, and unapologetically with our transgender community and will continue to reject any ideology that attempts to tear us apart or cause harm.

At the Seattle LGBTQ Commission’s meeting, a member of the public made statements that caused commission members to believe they were armed while delivering public comment. Those statements resulted in City Hall security being alerted of a potential firearm in the room. The individual who made the comment left the meeting room shortly after security was notified and the threat did not escalate further. It was later learned that this individual and another individual who also delivered public comment have well known associations to anti-transgender groups and may have been attempting to provoke a response from the LGBTQ Commission based on our public statements regarding violence at Cal Anderson park earlier this year. We're deeply disappointed to have experienced this heightened security risk inside of City Hall and recognize the potential severity of this situation, particularly as we experience an increasingly aggressive atmosphere towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ people across the country. Despite potential violence and provocation, the Commission will not tolerate intimidation and remains committed to the principles of public comment, open dialogue, and is unwavering in our commitment to advising the mayor’s office, city council, and city departments on issues related to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in our city. We stand proudly, firmly, and unapologetically with our transgender community and will continue to reject any ideology that attempts to tear us apart or cause harm.
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