Mayor Matt Gerding speaks out against hate, the 'dark side' of LGBTQ Pride Month
Karen Dandurant, Foster's Daily Democrat, June 4, 2024
SOMERSWORTH — Mayor Matt Gerding offers a mayor's report as part every regular City Council meeting. On Monday, his topic was Pride Month and an assessment of how far New Hampshire has — or hasn't — progressed.
City councilors rose to support him, offering their own thoughts on the way people of the LGBTQ+ community are treated.
"My philosophy is that hatred and bigotry have no place," said Councilor Don Austin. "We should accept people for who they are, for where they are. Let people be people."
Somersworth Mayor Matt Gerding is speaking out against hate directed at the LGBTQ+ community. June is Pride Month in New Hampshire and across the nation. Somersworth is considered to be open and supportive of people's rights and sexual orientation, but Gerding suggested New Hampshire has not come as far as people might believe.
"I believe that right now I am the only openly gay mayor in the state," Gerding said. "I recently posted a pic of my family (on social media), and some of the comments were nice. Some were horrifying. I rarely pay attention to this type of thing, but when I do, I can't help but get sick to my stomach. The comments were devastating and terrifying to us, and I cannot stress enough that these messages hurt."
Gerding read a few of the comments into the record, warning the councilors and the public they were "vile, and awful to read aloud. As fun as Pride month is — there is still a dark side."
Some examples he shared: "Why are you such a disgusting pervert? You are not a couple. Thank you for not dressing up in dildoes and leather. Get mental health care. You have a serious psychiatric disorder."
"But they (the comments) are the tip of the iceberg," Gerding said. "Suicide is responsible for many deaths of children ages 10-14. For LGBTQ+ kids, the rate is four times higher. As an educator, this scares the hell out of me."
Gerding is a teacher is Somersworth schools. He urged Somersworth to come together as a city and stand against such bigotry. He also shared suicide hotline numbers for people who need help (1-833-710-6477, and 988.)
Following Gerding's mayor's report, council members rallied in support. "Thank you," said councilor Kenneth Vincent. "You and your family are good people."Deputy Mayor David Witham said he was "appalled" by the comments he had heard."Such hate and bigotry," Witham said. "I am proud to call you mayor, friend, and educator.
"You love who you love," said Councilor Nancie Cameron. "I have known all of you for a long time and I love you all."
Councilors Paul Goodwin and Crystal Paradis-Katanzaro are both openly part of the LGBTQ+ community.
"Happy Pride Month; I am a proud member," said Goodwin. "Thank you for sharing so bravely. We all have similar stories — I do. This is an uncomfortable reminder that there are people regularly under threat. Somersworth is a welcoming community and there are a large number of gay people here. My friends in Portsmouth ask me 'what's in the water.' We have a gay mayor, gay councilors, a gay congressman, a transgender state representative. We are proud of what we have accomplished, and we know we have more to do."
Paradis-Katanzaro agreed there is more to do.
"My wife and I both have the same, long last name," she said. "It offers some protection, given through the Supreme Court. Without this right, if my wife got ill, I might not be able to go visit her. We need to protect our rights, and I thank the council for standing up for this."
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