Seattle official suspended for hiring transgender stripper to perform at homelessness conference
A Seattle public official has been suspended after it was reported that she hired a transgender stripper to dance topless at her agency's annual homelessness conference.
Transgender stripper Beyonce Black St James reportedly "danced on tables, gave lap dances, and stripped down to a pair of silver pasties as people threw dollar bills". The incident took place at the homelessness conference that was held on December 9. The theme of the conference had been "decolonizing our collective work."
Acting director of King County's coordinating agency for homelessness, Kira Zylstra, had organized the 'All Home' conference and was placed on administrative leave post the incident. City and county employees, donors, and representatives of Catholic Community Services, Mary’s Place, and Neighborhood House had all attended the conference.
As reported by The Seattle Times, St James' striptease had been referred to as a "cultural presentation" in the program. A staffer shared, "No one expected it. So I think some people felt uncomfortable." In a short video, St James, who identifies as a trans woman on her social media page, can be seen doing high kicks and splits, in a tight bodysuit.
According to a county spokesperson, Zylstra has led 'All Home' since January 2018. However, her job could become obsolete as Seattle and King County prepare to replace All Home, which has been called weak and ineffective. Zylstra was paid around $123,000 a year.
Erica Barnett noted on her website, 'The C is For Crank', "Although some who saw the performance called it fun, “fabulous” and a rare opportunity for queer people of color—St James is black— to be represented in the sort of space usually dominated by straight white people, others disagreed, complaining that the show was too “sexual” and forced people to participate in a sexualized performance without prior consent."
Denise Rothleutner, chief of staff for the King County Department of Community and Human Services, shared that an active investigation is on.