If you aren’t from Ottawa, you might not have heard of Dixie Landers. And if you don’t read the queer press, you probably haven’t heard that the popular and well-loved drag personality has been in a coma for the last three days, after being severely injured in a bar fight. The story hasn’t hit the mainstream press, but Ottawa’s queer community is getting up-to-the minute information on Dixie’s condition from Capital Xtra, where readers are also posting comments to debate a case where there have been allegations of police inaction and possible mistreatment by emergency personnel.
Meanwhile, friends and supporters have set up a “Get Well Dixie Landers” group on Facebook, which now has almost 350 members. And people posting on Egale Canada’s e-list are talking about the case, wondering aloud why more people didn’t come to Dixie’s defence, whether or not this was a gay-bashing, and what the community can do to prevent further violence.
Not a single word about this story has appeared in print or in any mainstream media outlet. But hundreds of people are staying updated on Dixie’s condition, discussing the case, and organizing a community response to anti-queer violence.
A very sad case, but a truly inspiring moment for community media and online networking.
Get well soon, Dixie. Ottawa’s pulling for you.
— Cross-posted to Dykes Against Harper