It was an awkward moment at last week’s City Council meeting. Mayor Shyne, an avowed feminist, was to present a proclamation for Domestic Violence Month to three members of the Women’s Advisory Board and one member of the Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board.
Mayor Shyne spoke: “We have one presentation this evening, to the V-Day Silent Witness Display Planning Committee, whose members include Keely Field, Angela DeSilva, Nicole Peyton, and Renee Sotile.”
Quoting from the proclamation, Shyne read, “V-Day is a global activist movement to end all violence against women and girls, bringing widespread attention to the issues of harassment, rape, and domestic and partner violence. This year, the City of West Hollywood will commemorate the 25th anniversary of V-Day with an activist and survivor-led gathering and call to action, to feature the launch of a silent witness display about domestic violence on February 25th, and to continue to promote an anti-violence message by highlighting the city’s sexual assault awareness campaign.”
“Now, will my colleagues join me in giving the proclamation over to the representatives of the Women’s Advisory Board.”
However, as Mayor Shyne and other council members stepped off the dais, no members of the Women’s Advisory Board were present to accept the proclamation.
A cold silence was in the chamber. Some council members knew.
Notably absent was Keely Field, current Chair of the Women’s Advisory Board, and Shyne’s direct appointee.
Renee Sotile, a member of the Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board who worked on creating the silent witness assault awareness campaign, took the stage alone. Neither Keely Field, Nicole Peyton, or Angela de Silva were present and not a single member of the Women’s Advisory Board phoned in to make a public comment.
Sotile accepted the proclamation graciously and thanked the council for approving the item, hoping that this event would be the beginning of an annual event for the silent witness program.
She then added, “I also want to bring up verbal abuse. Verbal abuse is a pattern of speaking with the intent to demean, humiliate, and blame. When this behavior is directed toward people in a professional setting, a hostile work environment is created. As a creative city, let’s continue to encourage effective and passionate discussions, but not enable bullying. There is a difference. I’m requesting, advocating, and encouraging the council to update bylaws and such to allow city staff the authority and dignity to work and thrive in a zero-tolerance environment.”
Sotile was gentle. Please look at what is happening under your noses and develop policies that allow city commissioners and staff the ability to not work under veils of threats or termination.
There is something terrible going on and we are giving the person who needs to fix the problem a little room to get the job done before going public.
[…] The City Council meeting was a few days away this past February 3rd, and the Women’s Advisory Board, led by Chair Field, was scheduled to accept a proclamation on behalf of the V-day Silent Witness program. Field did not show to accept the proclamation, citing work demands, and none of the other WAB members showed either. Sotile accepted the proclamation alone. I wrote about it here. […]
Looks like a redneck funeral
That picture is frightening!
I remember when people admired and respected the City Council–I was one of them. Sepi Shyne and John Erickson have poisoned the environment with their racist and sexist biases.
I am sick & tired of men or anybody else getting excluded from Domestic Violence as well as other abuses in general, like verbal & psychological abuse. Men suffer the same issues as women do, the difference is generally speaking….men tend to be a lot stronger physically than women & instill more fear so maybe it’s more overt with the women being the victims. Men do suffer but I think they are too embarrassed to admit it. I have brothers that have had their share of violent, abusive women that play the game & then pretend like they are the… Read more »
Back in the day, West Hollywood was in the forefront of raising awareness on same gender DV. In my experience as a Family Law attorney, this constant focus on women as exclusive victims of DV, sends a message that woman can’t perpetuate domestic violence. I have seen countless cases of women being kicked out of their homes or losing custody of kids because they did not believe their actions could constitute domestic violence. Unfortunately that message often gets lost. While women are undoubtedly the majority of victims in these cases, but our domestic violence education programs needs to keep in… Read more »
So, she highlights V-Day, which only includes females. It’s an event. She didn’t create it. She’s not trying to be non-inclusive. Is there anything she can do that will not be criticized? Her highlight of this of annual event, does not mean that she doesn’t care about people of other genders, people who are abused in different ways, etc. One thing has nothing to do with the other. Don’t we all support reducing violence against women? They are more vulnerable than men, and incur more violence from men.
https://www.vday.org/
For a City that literally “prides” itself annually and in its charter on sex and gender diversity, why are the recognitions solely and exclusively focused on women victims/survivors? There are plenty of survivors right here in West Hollywood and Los Angeles who have experienced workplace discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, domestic violence, intimidation, bullying, and hate crimes who are of all genders. While, given, the majority of DV survivors/victims (up to and including death), locally and worldwide are women, to say that men or other genders can never be recognized as well is adding denial, disbelief, and invalidation to their experience.… Read more »
more clown show
Sad times in Weho. To be honest, looking at the photo of the council, my thoughts that city is being stewarded well is non-existent.
I agree. Judging by this picture, we’re in trouble deep
Please give Shyne the benefit of the doubt. She’s just reflecting the current dictatorships and fascism of Iran, the country of her origin. Which she includes in every meeting blabbering about it for about 10 minutes. Like anybody cares. This sad pathetic woman is definitely against freedom of speech. Plus, she should be given a proclamation. Proclaiming her as probably the most hated mayor in California.
I completely admire the wonderful women of WAB and city staff Larissa Fooks for her hard work in bringing the boards visions to light.
I also said:
“It’s been a privilege to work with WAB and Larissa who makes things happen.”
I had the pleasure of meeting you at the CC meeting last Monday. Thank you for going out of your way to introduce yourself and for being so cordial to me.
I wondered, and still wonder, why you were the only person up there accepting the award.
Hardworking and modest, Larissa Fooks remains one of the City’s unsung heroes.
Thank you. I am bowled over by your compassionate, but also clear, approach to the current problem that Weho is facing involving Mayor Shyne’s public behavior.
The insidious machinations of Sepi Shyne.