Off of Seattle's coast, on an island only accessible by ferry, sits Vashon, the Pacific Northwest "Stars Hollow." It's perhaps the definition of a picturesque seaside town, defined by its tight-knit and inclusive community. With the highest concentration of LGBTQ+ people in Washington state, it's a haven for creatives, as well as anyone seeking acceptance.
But this Gilmore Girls equivalent faced challenges in the summer of 2024 after a local religious figure, Abbot Tryphon of the All-Merciful Savior Monastery, filmed and posted videos of homes with Pride flags, citing Bible verses against the eponymous sin, leading to backlash from island residents.
In response, Vashon rallied around its values of and formed Not on Our Island (NOOI), a grassroots initiative aimed at fostering solidarity. Inspired by similar movements like Not in Our Town — which works to combat hate and discrimination nationwide — NOOI quickly gained traction, drawing over a hundred people to its first meetings.
"The community wanted to know what they could do," a member of NOOI told the SGN. "Many voices joined in, and it became clear that many identities were impacted."
A figurative light in every window
NOOI's mission is to spread a feeling of all-inclusive safety through education, outreach, and public events. It organized workshops and outreach events such as "Identifying Intention and Action," "Inclusive Voices: Building Connections," "Responding to Statements that Sting," and "Community Advocacy and The Laramie Project." Interviews with NOOI members appeared on the local radio station and in the newspaper.
NOOI's efforts were further amplified by posters, yard signs, and stickers as symbols of solidarity, created by local artist West McClean and available at NOOI events, Vashon Print and Design, or through the Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber. The breadth of NOOI's work is obvious: a visit to the island reveals that nearly every organization and business on the main street displays a poster in its window.
For residents, it demonstrated a shared mission: to fight against miscommunication and misinformation, and the negative effects they can have.
"It's about coming together and holding hands," said Jennifer, a NOOI member. "It's something everyone can do."
History shows that large-scale community movements like this work: In 1993, in Billings, MT, white supremacist groups began distributing antisemitic literature . Residents, religious leaders, and community organizations came together to support the Jewish population by putting menorahs in their windows in solidarity. Ten thousand houses joined in, and the collective action isolated the hate groups and ultimately led to the decline of their activities in the area.
Like those Billings residents, Vashon's community is responding to hate with hope. The overwhelming support evidenced by the posters goes to show this.
The community is readying itself to face whatever challenges arise in the new year, especially after the election, following a message of MLK-like nonviolent social protest. People looking to become involved with the group to make a positive impact can attend events, display solidarity with signs and stickers, or use their voice to spread awareness.
NOOI showcases the beauty of Vashon Island beyond its nature — it's not just as a place of peace but a beacon of light for marginalized communities everywhere.
Upcoming NOOI workshops include "Microaggressions" (February 15), "Anchoring the Storm" (April 19), and "Connecting Across Differences with Aya Caspi," in conjunction with the Vashon Center for the Arts (September). These resources, as well as access to previous workshops and podcasts, are at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562926508449
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