Kids at YMCA swim meet run into cross-dressing ball

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-ymca20.html ^

[Ellesu]

In an incident the YMCA is calling "a very regrettable scheduling error," kids arriving for an early-morning swim meet Sunday walked into a gender-bending scene of the kind most of them wouldn't be allowed to watch on TV.

Several of the kids' angry parents clashed with participants in a transgender fashion show, which had been under way at the New City YMCA since about midnight, resulting in a chaotic melee that was eventually broken up by private security guards and East Chicago District police.

A YMCA member had reserved the entire facility, at 1515 N. Halsted, from 11 p.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Sunday for a fashion show and ball, which featured cross-dressing and transgender models in a competition similar to the ones shown in the 1991 documentary "Paris Is Burning." But the facility had also been booked to host the youth swim meet, scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Sunday. When the swimmers -- mostly elementary and junior high school-age kids -- and their parents started showing up shortly after 6 a.m., many of the parents were upset to see the "House of Escada" fashion show and dance in full swing.

"It was like they didn't want the kids to see the gay people at all," said Kashma Avery, in a recorded interview provided by WBBM-AM (780). Avery was in charge of a 13-member security detail for the ball, which he said was attended by about 400 people, most of them gay men.

Scheduling policies face review

As parents and other YMCA members began to complain about the event, New City staff reportedly closed off access to bathrooms and locker rooms, barring the "House of Escada" participants from continuing to use the facility. At that point, party guests and parents began confronting each other in the building's hallways and lobby.

"Some of the guests started hearing sexist slurs," said Avery, "and an altercation ensued."

A chair was thrown, and when a witness mistakenly reported hearing shots fired, police were called to the scene. The scuffle was quickly broken up, and police said no arrests were made.

A spokesman for the YMCA, Luis Diaz-Perez, said Sunday, "The YMCA regrets any confusion or concern caused to our members by this scheduling conflict."

He added that New City, which does not typically schedule overnight events, will today undertake a comprehensive review of its rental and scheduling policies.

[johnnycap]

"Wow, what the hell is a Y doing allowing this crap on their property. If I was a member of this Y Monday the Y manager would be looking for a new job. If that didn't happen I'd quit on the spot."

I agree. There are plenty of other places to have held the "fashion show and dance". The Young Men's Christian Association was not the appropriate place for that.

[BobL]

Agreed - thanks all.

[johnnycap]

"I think this is a wonderful story.Why?Usually the parents would have bundled their chidlren off and made phone calls...but it would have been undercover for fears of reprisal. These parents SPOKE UP. LOUDLY! and NEARLY CAUSED A MELEE! We are finding our voice and our voice is to tolerate this behavior at the margins of our culture and not to have it in the middle of our lives."

This is true. Between parents standing up to drag queens, Americans becoming willing to curtail Muslim rights for safety and people demanding Christmas carols, it sounds like Americans are finally waking up and seeing if they don't start standing up for their rights and their country, they are going to loose both.

[Calpernia]

bump

[johnnycap]

"Yeah... that way they still have time to eat breakfast and let the methamphetamines wear off before going to sleep."

...obviously someone who is very familiar with the lifestyle.

[nw_arizona_granny]

The woman that was head of the YWCA, maybe 5 years ago, was a lesbian, one of the NOW gals.

No, of course, I can't think of her name.

It upset me at the time, as 60 years ago, we thought it to be a safe place for children.

I am getting tired of telling myself that things are different in 2004, I want my children to be safe.

In Israel they fear the next stranger has a belt bomb on.

Here we have to fear gays and rape of our babies.

Maybe a few new laws to allow the mothers to issue the punishment to those that hurt our children.

Those creeps wanted to look like women, well I could help them by removing the male parts, with a dull knife.

I go with the thought that the entire scene was planned.

Even at my age, I would not have chosen the YMCA, for an adult party.

[KidGlock]

I'll bet well over half of the parents voted like the rest of their fellow blue staters.

Probably right.

Ugh!

[i.l.e.]

I'll stick to direct comments, sorry.

Your comments are greatly appreciated. Don't be intimidated by those low brow scrooges who don't know fine humor when they see it. Puritanical roundheads don't rule the roost here.

[laotzu]

"I don't believe that those were normal parents complaining"

How incredibly judgemental, and un-progressive of you. What is your base-line for normal?

[Gritty]

As parents and other YMCA members began to complain about the event, New City staff reportedly closed off access to bathrooms and locker rooms, barring the "House of Escada" participants

At least the staff showed some belated sense.

Can you imagine the House of Escada gays "mixing" with all the little kids in those places? It would be a parent's worst nightmare!

[Katya]

What's the fuss?

Isn't Chicago one of those tolerant BLUE cities in a blue state?

[Calpernia]

Is this her?

Serving as president of the NOW from 1991 to 2001, Ms. Patricia Ireland led the largest, most visible and most successful organization of feminist activists in the United States.

Ms. Ireland's major contributions included organizing NOW activists to defend women's access to abortion, elect a record number of women to political office, work more closely in coalitions with other social justice and civil rights groups, and champion international feminist issues.

On October 14, Ms. Ireland will lead a discussion on "Using your Power in the 2004 Election", hosted by the YWCA of Troy-Cohoes.
----------------------------------------------------
The YWCA of Troy-Cohoes hosts discussion led by renowned activist Patricia Ireland.

We welcome activist, author, and former President of the National Organization of Women (NOW), Patricia Ireland to the YWCA of Troy-Cohoes!

On October 14th, as part of our Y VOTE project to provide voter education and motivation, Patricia will lead a discussion on "Using your Power in the 2004 Election".

Join us at the United Methodist Christ Church (35 State Street - Troy) at 7:00 pm and become informed before exercising your voting power this November.

[Marysecretary]

You just need to put sarcasm/ after your remarks and folks won't get mad atcha.

[nw_arizona_granny]

You have stated it very well, so I am reposting your words.

Yes, I am in agreement with you.


"I think this is a wonderful story.Why?Usually the parents would have
bundled their chidlren off and made phone calls...but it would have
been undercover for fears of reprisal. These parents SPOKE UP.
LOUDLY! and NEARLY CAUSED A MELEE! We are finding our voice and
our voice is to tolerate this behavior at the margins of our culture and
not to have it in the middle of our lives."

This is true. Between parents standing up to drag queens, Americans
becoming willing to curtail Muslim rights for safety and people
demanding Christmas carols, it sounds like Americans are finally
waking up and seeing if they don't start standing up for their rights
and their country, they are going to loose both.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Welcome to Free Republic.

[todd1]

I used to hit the after hour clubs back in the day and messed with those evil drugs like coke, Ecstasy, etc... Thanks be to God that I did not do any permanent damage to myself or anyone else.

[BobL]

"I have several issues with this.

1. When did the YMCA change from Young Men's CHRISTIAN Association to Young Men Crossdressing A-holes?"


I'll try to get on topic here.

To paraphrase a Hillary line: "There may be some controlling legal authority here." Meaning that there is a good chance that the city could shut down, or in some way punish, this YMCA if they didn't allow (whoops, meant tolerate) these types of events.

Considering that it was done in the middle of the night, and probably only advertised in gay publications, there's a good chance that the people who run this YMCA never wanted it in the first place.

Now, here's where we come in. The same parents that are ready to beat the daylights out of these YMCA managers probably voted for the politicians that either created this controlling authority or allowed it to be created (via judges). We need to convince parents like these that there are real consequences when their vote is determined more by their hatred of Republicans, than by a comparison of the candidates.

[BobL]

"Welcome to Free Republic."

Thanks.

[BobL]

"Don't be intimidated by those low brow scrooges who don't know fine humor"

Thanks very much, but I'll take at least 50% of the blame here. Expat is an excellent Freeper, and I do need to be very clear when being sarcastic. It can really mess up a thread.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Cal, maybe not.

As I recall, it was the one who suddenly got married in her 60's or there abouts.

It could be Ireland, as I didn't like them from the beginning of the movement, I didn't pay a lot of attention to them.