In this poem I look back at the horrific attack on the Polo Lounge earlier this week and give the perpetrators a very clear message. If you think your childish games can destroy the confidence of a community who face the kind of prejudice that would see you fold like a piece of paper you are completely and totally deluded. The Polo is an iconic space for Glasgow’s LGBTI + community and not only for us but for our friends and family members as it was often the first place they would go to relax with LGBTI loved ones as it was an inclusive environment which welcomed allcomers through those famous doors and I have no doubt that will continue to be the case for generations to come. So trust me when I say you don’t scare us and your not starting now. I’ve titled The Safest Space, I hope you enjoy the read.
This picture shows the rainbow of diversity that terrifies the homophobes and transphobes.
The Safest Space
It was written in the language of cowards
whose hate could not be satisfied
by blood lust and anger
the intent was to scare
by scarring the confidence of others
on discovering there was something called difference
they poured the blood of innocents
on the closes, and stairways
of schemes villages, and shires
but this was our haven
away from the troubles of the world
it was where the girl stepped out of the closet
and blossomed to trans womanhood
In this bar I didn’t hide myself from friends
and when those I knew ventured in
on girls nights or with gay and lesbian friends
they all said they’d never seen me
looking so comfortable and relaxed
and dreams and desires were shared
in a space we thought was safe
our sense of place gave us identity
in communities that clustered together
through nessesscity and geography
and the fact that our city is not
as metropolitan as it likes to think
pink and frilly pounds are viewed
as a ticket to tolerance rather than acceptance
as those on the periphery pander
to the bigotry of yesteryear
with fear wearing masks of tradition
and hatred hidden for decades
now aggressively displayed
by those whose machismo is as fake
as their tans
and would benefit from lessons
in spelling and art
before attempting to critique anyone else
for daring to be ourselves in the safest space of all
© Gayle Smith 2020
Skirtingroundmylife 