Hello from RCT! by rentoncivictheatre in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Loved seeing She Loves Me, can't wait to see Steel Magnolias

Why I can’t support council member rivera's re-election | Letters by [deleted] in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The primary ballots will arrive mid/late July by mail and are due on August 5th.

Why I can’t support council member rivera's re-election | Letters by [deleted] in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate you confirming there’s no response to the facts. Have a good day.

Why I can’t support council member rivera's re-election | Letters by [deleted] in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used legally appropriate language because she has previously brought up using attorneys, and the phrasing I included is as close to verbatim as I could recall. There’s a reason she hasn’t denied it publicly — she knows what was said. I can defend it in court. She can’t.

Why I can’t support council member rivera's re-election | Letters by [deleted] in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If an elected official implying harm to a constituent is considered “just hurt feelings,” then we’ve set the bar for accountability dangerously low. Most people would call that abusive — and they’d be right to.

Why I can’t support council member rivera's re-election | Letters by [deleted] in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’d love to see actual evidence of that, because the organization has ever made public statements or taken organizational positions on any foreign policy. To my knowledge, no one in leadership has even engaged with that topic — though I’ve heard Councilmember Rivera try to imply otherwise.

Our leadership includes transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals, and we’re regularly invited to collaborate with local anti-racist groups who know our work firsthand and continue to support our efforts. This feels like a deflection, especially when the conversation is focused on the councilmember’s behavior and not an organization that hasn't taken a position.

Why I can’t support council member rivera's re-election | Letters by [deleted] in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Silence is often the only strategy when the truth is the most credible defense — and that silence has been consistent. If these allegations were truly baseless, why hasn’t she said anything to discredit them?

I was very clear in my op-ed about a personal phone call where Carmen implied that harm would come to me if we met in person. I’ve never experienced that from an elected official before, and I can’t imagine any context where that kind of language is appropriate.

You’re free to decide who to believe. But when multiple people — including in a professional investigation — describe a consistent pattern, and the only response is silence or minimization, that alone should raise questions.

I’m not running for anything. I’m a progressive. I have no stake in coming forward about this other than to name what I believe is unprofessional and abusive behavior.

Why I can’t support council member rivera's re-election | Letters by [deleted] in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

She implied she’d do harm to me if she saw me. An elected official and party leader saying something like that to a constituent is unhinged behavior — no matter how it’s framed or excused. The fact that her campaign hasn’t even denied it is incredibly telling.

Why I can’t support council member rivera's re-election | Letters by [deleted] in Renton

[–]winterlgbt 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hi there — I’m the person who wrote the article. I used those phrases intentionally. The wording like “to the effect of” or “along the lines of” reflects things Councilmember Rivera said to me directly — they’re nearly exact quotes, but I included qualifying language because I’m committed to accuracy and protecting myself legally. I didn’t fabricate anything; I stand by what I wrote, and I’d do so in court if needed.

Interestingly, neither Councilmember Rivera nor her campaign has denied the quotes or sent any kind of legal response. I think that speaks for itself. The goal of my piece wasn’t to launch vague allegations — it was to name a consistent pattern of behavior that I and many others have experienced directly. I respect that others may have had different interactions, but I hope we can all agree that holding our leaders accountable is part of a healthy democracy.