I think it’s important that we all share our stories about how these extraordinary times are impacting us. Whenever things get back to normal we are going to want to have a record of what it was like in the thick of a global pandemic.
Just like everyone around the country my little town of Gulfport has been hit hard economically by the coronavirus. Fortunately, we haven’t had any confirmed cases that I’m aware of but the implications for an event-driven community like mine have been enormous.
First, just about everything is shut down. Our award winning Senior Center is dark, our award winning library is dark. Gulfport Players productions are suspended. Our chamber and its welcome center are dark. No art walks. No Tuesday markets. No Springfest. Our other local newspaper has suspended publication, and a big number of Gulfport Pride events have just been cancelled until next year.
I’m not alone in having my town’s economic hit be a huge one. Not only have the events that keep our community afloat vanished but the virus also shuttered our many bars and restaurants. Take out and deliveries are the new norm.
It’s bad here. It’s really bad. Rubbing elbows has replaced our usual hugs. For a town that describes itself as the “Gulfport family,” we are having a heck of time not hugging each other. I accidentally shook someone’s hand recently and the guilt I felt that I might have infected him is still with me.
I’m having Gulfport LGBTQ Resource Center committee meetings on Zoom as well as all my Quaker meetings too. Try having a silent worship service together on the computer.
I have never hidden the fact that like many in our community, I’m in recovery, another problem area. My AA group meets on Gulfport beach every night but the beaches are closed right now. Every other meeting in town (and there are seven of them in a town of 13,000) either meets in a church or a Gulfport city facility. We can’t meet in any of those locations right now.
Zoom AA meetings are an option but not ideal. Fortunately I have a great sponsor and a network of people I can call. I can’t imagine if you were new to AA right now. If you would like to find a local AA meeting by phone or by Zoom, visit AA-Intergroup.org. There are people who can help.
In addition to my local concerns, I have an 85-year-old father in Ohio who can’t even visit my 91-year-old stepmother because she’s in an Alzheimer’s care unit that is isolated right now. I worry about him more than my own exposure.
One of my health care professionals said to me, “Doesn’t this remind you a little of the early days of the AIDS epidemic?” Well, yes and no.
In both scenarios we had an incompetent president who refused to acknowledge how bad things really were. In both we were scared to have physical contact with each other. But where were the huge stimulus packages and global wide shutdowns during the AIDS epidemic? No one cared because it was “those people” who were infected. It’s striking to me how different the responses are to this disease.
Still, many people in the general community are reaching out to see how they can help others. There are local efforts in Gulfport to get groceries to elderly residents who can’t get out right now. Faith-based communities like mine are swinging into action with innovative solutions.
For example, my Quaker community is holding “Quakers for Continued Education,” a book drive for kids without school and whose libraries are also closed. I encourage other faith based groups to step forward with creative ways we can help each other.
The LGBTQ community is a resilient one. After decades of discrimination we’ve made a lot of progress but remember we dealt with AIDS, Anita Bryant, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the Defense of Marriage Act and the Pulse tragedy. We will get through this stronger together. Stay safe and wash your hands!
Greg Stemm is a 37 year resident of Pinellas County. He is a founder of St Pete Pride and currently sits on the board of the award winning LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library. Greg is an outspoken activist on many issues including HIV/AIDS education.
