By Sister Dana Van Iquity

On a September night at approximately 3:15 a.m. as I was strolling the Collingwood area (having changed from my nun’s habit into just a regular guy’s jeans, tee shirt, and jacket), a white guy age 30ish in glasses and a cap approached me to demand money. I replied, “I am not carrying any money,” but he continued, “This is a stickup!” He held what I perceived to be a knife to my neck as he grabbed me from behind and on my left. My first reaction was to be a victim, but then I suddenly went into autopilot (thanks to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s recent campaign to Stop the Violence) and fished my whistle out of my right pocket and blew like crazy - not really knowing what that might do, but still blowing it away - I mean BLOWING for LIFE – racing towards Diamond Street, only to find several police squad cars arriving on the spot. I thought this was amazing timing! At the whistle’s shrill and continual sound, the attacker had dashed away in the opposite direction.

The police asked me if I had been drinking. Yes, it was way past last call, so I had been drinking a couple of Cosmos much earlier, but I was still able to identify the perp. They had me sit down (I was really jittery after this attack) and wait in a squad car to eventually catch the bastard who had been running in the opposite direction, away down Collingwood Street.

When the police shined a very bright light on three other suspects (so as not to reveal my face), I said none of them was the attacker. When the police paraded a fourth man, I quickly and easily identified him as my attacker.

Let me tell you this was a huge wakeup call regarding the Collingwood area, where I have freely cruised unassailed for decades. We have to take back our streets and cruising areas, dammit! This has come WAY TOO CLOSE to home for me! I am probably going to have to identify this creep in a police lineup, and I am scared of his possible retaliation. But I think it is important for us would be victims to stand up, take back our power, and come out against violence.

Barely weeks before my attack, we Sisters realized it was time to restart our community empowering “Stop the Violence” campaign from 20 years ago when we passed out thousands of whistles to people to wear around their necks or on their key chains, and they were to blow the hell out of them at the first sign of trouble. We also distributed small “Stop the Violence” posters with big pink triangles on them to display in the windows of stores, houses, and apartments to create awareness and as a sign of support and/or a safe place to go for people if they were threatened or attacked. Most people knew to call 911 if they heard whistles blowing, and it worked many times.

A day after my incident, Sergeant Chuck Limbert called me to inquire if I was all right. He then told me the perp had been on parole; he had a large quantity of drugs for sale on his person; and he regularly cruises to get money for sex. Apparently he has a long record. Sgt. Limbert said my consistent whistle blowing had alerted neighbors to call 911 and rush patrol cars to my aid. Sadly, no one near me in the area came to my rescue. We need to make it clear that a whistle signals trouble, and people need to come to the aid of whoever is blowing the whistle. Those other guys who scattered should have called 911 on their cells.

“Gay people are seen as targets, but even more so by those who want to use our desire for companionship/ interaction as a weapon against us,” says Sister Mora Lee D’Klined. “It is so very important to keep our wits about us, and so exactly as Sister Dana did - blow for your life, and to be aware of your surroundings...even in moments leading up to intimacy.” She adds, “The predators out there know what we want, and will use it to harm us if they can. Let them know this is not okay, and we won't roll over and be victims anymore!”

“We cannot sit back and watch our community continue to be attacked. Fuck these thugs and gangs,” says Sister Roma. “We will not be intimidated or silenced by their hate. We need to take whistles and fliers about safety and get them in the hands of people in our community. Even more importantly we need to make our presence known to those from outside our community who would hurl gay insults, gay bash and/or otherwise attack us.” Roma continues, “The Castro has always been - and should always be - our home. A place where we are among friends. A place where we are free to express ourselves without fear. A place where we feel safe.” She notes The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are determined to bring safety back to our streets and our community. We have partnered with Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP) and the SFPD to launch “Stop The Violence,” a whistle and safety information distribution campaign designed to raise awareness, educate, and arm our community against violence. Look for The Sisters and members of CCOP on street corners and at major events such the Castro Street Fair, handing out “Stop the Violence” posters, pamphlets, and whistles.

“Since Red Saturday and Pride Sunday, the violence seems to be getting worse. And blatantly so. I mean, the attacks on the Muni with the bus drivers not doing anything. It's becoming so bad, there are almost no words for it,” says Ray Tilton. “People have to come out about being attacked, and not be ashamed or embarrassed,” says Tilton. “I was ashamed when I first got gay-bashed, but there is power in coming out, which helps heal ourselves.” Sergeant Limbert says,“Don't be a victim. Make sure you walk with a group or on a well illuminated street. Drink responsibly. Carry a whistle. If you see a crime in progress, please call 911 and be a good witness: obtain the height, weight, clothing, and where the suspects are. We can only decrease the violence if we work together. Report all crimes.”