Opinion: Sanctuary, a WeHo Tradition, Under Siege

Sanctuary, once a hallowed concept, even in the Dark Ages of Europe, when a fugitive could enter a church and ask for asylum and not be given up to the authorities, is now under siege by our new president and his band of “advisers”.

“Sanctuary”: ‘a place of refuge and protection’ according to Webster, has been accepted by international diplomatic protocol as such and has provided a temporary home for such people as Wikileak’s Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. During the past several years the idea has grown that an entire city could offer sanctuary to a group of people, namely undocumented migrants, many of whom have been residents of the US for years. Today, a reported 300 cities offer sanctuary for those without papers. West Hollywood is famously among the sanctuary cities.

But, let’s look further back than the past few years. I think it had to be in 1982 or ’83 when I met Ron Stone. There may even be a few still living who remember that young man. In the early 1980s West Hollywood was still a county backwater where, if you wanted a policeman, and could wait four or five hours, a sheriff deputy might show up. This area was a hidden part of the county and considered, though harboring interesting criminal elements, not worth much effort to patrol.

Ed Edelman, the county supervisor whose district included West Hollywood was interested – in votes. I spent a little time on his Citizens Advisory Panel when he expressed some interest in doing more for that section of his domain. But, until Ron Stone came on the scene, I can recall no one espousing any interest in cityhood.

Initially, Ron was quite accessible and we had several long conversations. We also had a mutual friend in Tom Hayden and his Campaign for Economic Democracy. As things progressed, as more folks became engaged in the process toward cityhood, I lost close contact with Ron – but, as you all know, in 1984 the city was born.

Beside a place where ordinary people could afford to live, West Hollywood offered a form of sanctuary for what we now refer to as the LGBT community. It was certainly not as well organized then*, and pretty much aside from the old Barneys’ Beanery antagonistic sign and attitude, there was little mention of any such “community”. Yet, here was a sanctuary, long before the political acquisition of the term. And I think, as a “straight” (whatever that’s supposed to be) man, I may have noticed that almost all my neighbors were gay couples living quiet lives in the sanctuary of unincorporated West Hollywood.

Sanctuary has a special meaning in West Hollywood, as one reviews history. This area has been a haven for many unusual and non-conventional people. For some specific names and places, refer to Bob Bishop’s excellent history articles written for Wehoville. And we have only to look at the Eastside of the city to see the number of residents formerly from the old USSR who now add their culture and color to the others here.

As we watch the seemingly endless role out of “executive orders” from the man playing president in Washington, we can see that the very notion of a sanctuary is being attacked and in jeopardy. West Hollywood has more reasons than many other sanctuary cities to not just hold the line but to roar disapproval and to make our voices heard. In a day when, finally, Americans are beginning to shed the belief that we must refer to each other by a tag such as black, gay, Asian, we are in danger of being pre-empted by ignorance, prudery, lack of intellectual curiosity and a host of other evils which attack Reason.

When we speak up for West Hollywood we are also speaking up for the values incorporated in our city charter and the Constitution of the United States. Don’t be fooled by the “pie in the sky” rhetoric of some politicians. Democracy requires work for its maintenance – now as never before. Call, email, tweet – whatever function you use – to let your representatives know your feelings. We should send them an avalanche of note, the sum of which is an addition to their mandate to be our voice in Washington.

LEST WE FORGET

*(Chance or Providence has seen me in many places where history was being written. One such instance was outside the Stonewall Inn, now a National Monument, June of 1969 when the place erupted in furor and, I’m told, Gay Pride began as a movement. Toby and I were living in the Village at 9 Waverly Place, not far away.)