Waymakers Collective is an Appalachian arts nonprofit that holds an annual retreat at the historic Pine Mountain Settlement School grounds in Harlan County, which they rent for the weekend. Saturday, the gathering ended a day early after people in pickup trucks and ATVs arrived to protest what they claimed was a desecration of the chapel. One of the artists there was a drag performer whose stage name is Corabelle Bundy Jolie. She said she wasn’t in the chapel when the protestors arrived, but had been there earlier.
“It was absolutely gorgeous. And there were cushions that were on the floor. There were candles set up. It was very relaxing, meditative. There was an om symbol.”
Om is considered to be the prime symbol of Hinduism. Jolie said some of the artists at the retreat are Christians, and were not offended by the appearance of the chapel. Meanwhile, she kept her distance from the confrontation.
“Because as the only drag artist down there, and one of the openly trans individuals, for my safety, I steered clear and did not want to, you know, ignite any more trauma responses out of them.”
Pine Mountain Settlement School issued a statement saying retreat attendees had posted photos, including that of a healing space in the chapel, some community members took to be non-Christian. The statement said the protestors entered the chapel and blocked access to buildings and roads, and the Waymakers called law enforcement.
In a statement, Harlan Sheriff Chris Brewer said his office received a call from someone claiming the chapel was not part of the rental agreement. Waymakers dispute that claim, saying it’s not true.
According to the school, the Waymakers agreed to leave the chapel, which would be quote- “locked to avoid further conflict.”
In the end, the group left the grounds entirely, some with a police escort. Jolie said as traumatic as the event was, she’s glad it happened – that perhaps, it will lead to conversations, and better understanding.
“Let's not quit, let's continue to push forward, let's continue to, you know, build each other up. Because honestly, like, this world right now is at a point where it's not working for any of us.”
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