Hope Scheppleman’s recent call for “civility and constructive dialogue” is a stark contradiction to her own divisive actions. During my 2023 City Council campaign, I organized “Drag You to the Polls,” a drag show celebrating civic engagement and inclusion. Instead of fostering dialogue, Scheppleman led attacks to silence the event, disregarding the freedoms of speech and expression she now claims to champion.
Her hypocrisy runs deeper. During Pride Month, she circulated anti-LGBTQ+ emails advocating violence, even calling to “burn all pride flags.” Later, she approved a hateful email targeting a state senate candidate with inflammatory, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Far from promoting unity, Scheppleman has actively stoked division and marginalized vulnerable communities.
Civility isn’t a shield from accountability. True dialogue begins with acknowledging harm, not rewriting history.
If Scheppleman genuinely seeks unity, she must first confront her role in perpetuating hate and division. Until then, her calls for civility are nothing more than empty words. I welcome these conversations with her, and hope she will reach out.
Harrison Wendt
Durango
