Attacked

Episode 6

Lynn Griffis. Courtesy of Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco Collection, San Francisco Public Library.

San Francisco’s gay/lesbian community in the 1980s wasn’t just facing an AIDS crisis, they also struggled against ongoing anti-gay violence. In 1989, in the midst of a campaign to legally establish anti-gay violence as a hate crime, MCC San Francisco made headlines when their AIDS minister was attacked in her home. The city, the police department, and the LGBTQ community rallied around the church and the minister. And when they finally solved the puzzle of who did it, the answer shocked the church.

MCCSF Women in the mid-90’s. Courtesy of Kittredge Cherry and Audrey Lockwood.

From left: Carlene Ames, Kittredge Cherry, Bill Lowell, Coni Staff. Courtesy of Kittredge Cherry and Audrey Lockwood.

Kittredge Cherry (left) and Lynn Griffis (right). Courtesy of Kittredge Cherry and Audrey Lockwood.

Kittredge Cherry, 1988. Courtesy of Kittredge Cherry and Audrey Lockwood.

Invitation to Lynn Griffis’ installation service. Courtesy of Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco Collection, San Francisco Public Library.

NOTES:

On the development of the hate crime as a legal category.

Valerie Jenness and Rykett Grattet, Making Hate a Crime: From Social Movement to Law Enforcement (Russell Sage Foundation, 2004).

On the history of work against queer bashing and anti-LGBTQ violence in San Francisco.

Christina Hanhardt, Safe Spaces: Gay Neighborhood Violence and the Politics of Violence (Duke University Press, 2013).
Randy Shilts, The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk (MacMillan, 2008).

Books quoted in the episode.

Adrienne Rich. On Women and Honor: Some Notes on Lying (New York: Norton 1977).
Sarah Schulman, Conflict is Not Abuse: Overstating Harm, Community Responsibility, and the Duty of Repair (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2016),

The voices from the service after the first attack include

Rev. Troy Perry, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches – “If you come for one of us, you come for all of us.”
Kevin Calegari, Dignity San Francisco – “Somebody by the name of Jesus…”
Harry Britt, San Francisco City Supervisor – “It hurts to be reminded of the power of evil.”
Gayle Orr-Smith, representative of the Mayor’s Office – “I am moved when I hear you say you are an angry people.
Rev. Duane Wilkerson, United Methodist Church – “But in the event that doubt has crept into your mind…”
Rev. Troy Perry, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches – “And to the enemies who are attacking us…”

Music:

“The Call” is by George Herber with music by Vaughan Williams. The soloist is Bob Crocker.

“Nearer My God to Thee” is by Sarah Flowers Abrams.

“Something Inside So Strong” is by Labi Siffre.

THANKS

Special thanks to Kelsy Pacha, Dr. Janis Whitlock, Dr. Mary Hunt for consulting with us about this episode.

Resources:

Community United Against Violence – still working for safe communities for queer people.

National Alliance on Mental Illness LGBTQI Information Page

The Shanti Project - is a pioneering nonprofit that builds human connections to reduce isolation, enhance health and well-being, and improve quality of life. It innovated enduring models of attentive companionship to people facing the of life through their work during the height of the AIDS crisis.

The Trevor Project – the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention non-profit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

TRANSCRIPT:

Episode 06 – Attacked

NOTE: This audio documentary podcast was produced and designed to be heard. If you are able, do listen to the audio, which includes emotions and sounds not on the page. Transcripts may contain errors. Check the corresponding audio before quoting in print.

Transcript coming soon.