I've been to Roxy many times and it's usually a great place to go to show. My most recent visit--during the Secondhand Serenade show left me feeling unsafe in a way I've never experienced there before.
While my friends and I were trying to find a place to stand, one of my friends was confronted by a couple who were upset that someone was standing in front of them at the show. Instead of simply expressing frustration, they escalated the situation by "transvestigating" her, accusing her (a cisgender woman) of being transgender, and making several derogatory and bigoted comments. It was completely inappropriate.
I've always viewed Roxy as safe, inclusive spaces, so I immediately approached security. Both I and another person explained what happened, but the response we received was simply that they would "keep an eye on the person." Knowing that someone was allowed to behave this way without being removed made me feel extremely anxious and uneasy especially as a transgender person myself. I'm cis-passing and was fortunate not to be clocked, but the entire situation made me feel unsafe in a place I've always trusted.
I hope the Roxy takes incidents like this more seriously in the future. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at shows, and bigoted harassment should never be tolerated. read more