Oregon Queer History Collective (OQHC) and signatories of this letter invite Portland Parks and Recreation (PPR), Clean and Safe (C&S), Center for Public Interest Design (CPID), and NNA Landscape Architecture to open a conversation regarding the plan to install a fence around Darcelle XV Plaza. We all value honoring Darcelle’s legacy of inclusivity. However, OQHC and signatories of this letter feel that fencing Darcelle XV Plaza: 

1. Represents hostile architecture that is specifically designed to exclude houseless Portlanders – of which LGBTQIA2S+ Portlanders, particularly queer youth, are disproportionately represented. Darcelle XV devoted countless hours and resources to support houseless Portlanders, especially youth. Any design hostile towards the houseless community is antithetical to Darcelle’s life work; 
2. Raises concerns and questions about accessibility and who is welcome, and how the plaza can support all members of Portland’s LGBTQIA2S+ communities;
3. Ignores deeply troubling historic legacies of fencing people;
4. Would create a severe safety hazard should a crowd need to exit the space during an emergency quickly; could create a pedestrian nuisance, or worse, dangerous conditions during high occupancy public, non-ticketed gatherings, like vigils, celebrations and more, especially for folks with disabilities.

The project’s collaborators have completed considerable work to include a variety of voices initiating the development of Darcelle XV Plaza. We thank you for this work. Yet, decision-making processes for finalizing a hard fence around the plaza has excluded many people whom this park is meant to welcome.

We, OQHC and supporting signatories value open spaces and public processes committed to fostering inclusivity, accessibility, and connection. Leaning into authentic and inclusive processes takes time but is necessary when ensuring diverse voices are authentically valued. This is why we invite you to engage in conversations about alternatives to a hard permanent barrier so that we together can make the historical legacy of Darcelle XV Plaza be one of inclusivity to all parties involved, especially those historically excluded from the City of Portland’s decision-making process. 

We look forward to continuing to partner with you all on this project so that together we can ensure that Darcelle’s legacy remains a meaningful part of Portlanders' contemporary lives for generations to come.  

Thank you! 

The Board of Directors at the Oregon Queer History Collective