Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community is voicing concerns over a recent ruling by King County Superior Court Judge Samuel Chung, which mandates that the city of Seattle implement measures to crack down on public nudity at Denny Blaine Park within two weeks.
This injunction is part of an ongoing legal battle between the city and residents of the Denny Blaine neighborhood, represented by the Denny Blaine Park for All association.
Residents allege that the park has become a hub for public drug use, masturbation, and other sexual acts.
In his ruling, Judge Chung stated, “The Court finds evidence submitted by Plaintiff and largely unrebutted by the City shows that the City has refrained from taking any action to address nudity and sexual acts in the Park.”
Following the ruling, parkgoers such as Derek Dizon and his partner Erik Rios expressed their support for those who choose to be naked in the park.
Both individuals were enjoying a sunny day at Denny Blaine, dressed in swimsuits, but emphasized that the narrative surrounding the ruling and the neighborhood association’s claims seems to perpetuate negative stereotypes about the queer community.
Dizon, who has frequented the park for over a decade, remarked, “People are quiet, people are snacking and enjoying each other’s company. It’s not this sinful, hedonistic place where people are doing whatever people think we’re doing here.”
Rios echoed these sentiments, stating that he has never personally witnessed any drug use or public masturbation at Denny Blaine.
While he generally feels safe there, he noted an uptick in scrutiny from outsiders, including people on boats shouting anti-LGBTQ slurs and filming parkgoers without consent.
Despite the city’s impending abatement plan, which targets public nudity, Dizon and Rios are determined to continue visiting Denny Blaine.
In a rapidly gentrifying city like Seattle, they advocate for the importance of safe, accessible spaces for queer and transgender individuals to feel comfortable in their own bodies.
Dizon highlighted the need for such environments, stating, “I think a lot of times in our community, people are on edge, people are hyper-vigilant. Having a place where you can not only be safe, but have fun, feel happiness and joy next to a cool body of water in your city, is a really important thing.”
Lee Keller, a spokesperson for Denny Blaine Park for All, clarified that the association’s lawsuit is not targeting the LGBTQ community.
Keller emphasized, “This lawsuit was always about public safety, and we believe that anybody using the park, legally and appropriately, should be allowed to do that. It was never about nudity.”
How the city plans to enforce the upcoming ban on public nudity remains uncertain.
In an email statement, a representative for Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell mentioned that the mayor’s office is set to review the judge’s ruling and explore potential legal options with the city attorney’s office.
This story, reported by Noel Gasca for KUOW, is part of a collaboration among public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.
image source from：opb
