Van They L.
Yelp
Unacceptable and Harmful Experience at Town and Country - AVOID IF You Are Part of Marginalized Communities
I am deeply disappointed and hurt by my interactions with the management team at Town and Country, especially after the ongoing harmful behavior from staff members such as Madison, Carlo, Mark, Sabrina, and Rian. My experience has been nothing short of distressing, and I feel compelled to share the full extent of the harm I endured.
On September 22, 2024, I initially reached out to Madison to inquire about hosting an event for marginalized groups, including trans, non binary, queer, Black, Indigenous, and disabled individuals. Unfortunately, Madison's engagement was fraught with transphobia, racism, and ableism. When I called attention to this, Madison did not take accountability for these actions and continued to perpetuate harm. I was left with no choice but to request another staff member to work with me.
I then met with Carlo on September 27, 2024, to discuss the event further. During this meeting, Carlo mis-pronouned and misgendered me multiple times, adding to the emotional toll I was already experiencing. Despite promising to follow up with event details and pricing, Carlo completely ignored my inquiries, leaving me with no response. When I reached out again on November 21, 2024 (after multiple events I wanted to host had passed), Carlo's response was laced with transphobic, misogynistic and ableist microaggressions, which he dismissed when I brought them up.
Instead of addressing the ongoing harm, Mark responded on November 23, 2024, and looped in Sabrina Patterson and Rian, yet none of them addressed the issues I raised. Instead, Mark minimized my concerns, engaging in misogyny and transphobia while focusing solely on the specific details and aspects of the event. Despite my repeated requests to have my boundaries respected, Mark continued to dismiss the pain I was experiencing, offering no accountability or resolution.
When I followed up again on December 1, 2024, requesting accountability for the harm I had endured, I was once again met with silence. When Mark finally responded on December 4, 2024, he attempted to hijack the event I had already spent months planning, offering no acknowledgment of the harm his team had caused. This behavior is not only unprofessional but harmful to marginalized individuals who are already often erased or mistreated.
It's clear that the management at Town and Country, including the staff mentioned/involved, has no regard for the safety or well-being of those from marginalized communities. I had planned a variety of events, including a movie screening, a queer prom, and even a potential international conference, but after this experience, I would not recommend this venue to anyone who isn't part of multiple privileged identities.
What is most painful is that I had loved the venues under the Town and Country umbrella (Arlo, The Lapper, Monkey Bar) since 2023, especially after a positive experience needing to book a last minute hotel during Comic Con (which we had not idea was happening until trying to get a same day hotel reservation). Unfortunately, the lack of response, accountability, and respect for people like me--trans, non binary, neurodivergent, queer, disabled, BIPOC--has left me feeling unsafe and unsupported. I have made over 10 attempts to have this harm addressed, and each time I have been ignored or dismissed. Including requesting over 3x that someone from management (other than Rian, Sabrina, Mark, Carlo and Madison) contact me.
If you are part of a marginalized community, I strongly advise against engaging with Town and Country. And even if you are not, I recommend not supporting an business that causes such harm and distress to marginalized communities. The harm I've experienced, compounded by their refusal to acknowledge or address it, is something that no one should have to endure. I will no longer feel safe at any of their venues, and it is deeply saddening to know that this is the environment they continue to foster.