(Seguin) — There was no shortage of opinions expressed during Tuesday night’s Seguin City Council meeting, as a packed house of residents turned out to weigh in on a proposed Pride Fest scheduled for October 31 at the Seguin Coliseum.
The event, which celebrates the LGBTQ community, is being planned by the nonprofit Riverside Pride group. The item was not on the council’s agenda, meaning there was no discussion among council members, but that didn’t stop a steady parade of residents from stepping forward to share their opinions. Some spoke in favor of the event, while many, including Lynette Leanox, spoke against it.
Leanox says accusations that opponents are motivated by hate are wrong. She says their opposition is not about hate.
“There is a silent majority in this city watching tonight. Parents, grandparents, church families, hardworking people who love this town deeply and no longer recognize the direction of our culture and where it’s heading. They are not asking for hatred. They are asking for courage. The courage is to draw the line. The courage is to defend childhood innocence. The courage to protect the moral foundation of the city before it’s gone piece by piece. Council members, leadership is tested when standing firm becomes unpopular,” said Leanox.
Rebecca Broughton said she originally was not going to speak, but felt compelled to address the issue. She says even with an adults-only portion planned later in the evening, she is still concerned about the event’s overall impact on children in the community.
Samuel Butler expresses his concerns during Tuesday’s Seguin City Council meeting.
“What you do as an adult, that is you. That is totally up to you. And it’s your life, not mine. I’ll pray for you. But what you do with the children that are so easily manipulated, that’s what hurts me,” said Broughton.
Mike Diaz says his views are not about stopping people’s rights to gather, but he says he has real concerns about the overall safety of the event.
“It’s about ensuring public safety for everybody. If an organization like Pride Fest rents a city facility for an event that is expected to draw large numbers of protesters, the city plan cannot be limited to the people inside the building. The city must also consider the people outside, peaceful protesters, nearby residents, families, drivers, pedestrians, city employees, and law enforcement officers,” said Diaz.
Thomas Eklund called on both sides to remain civil during the debate. He added that his faith compels him to speak out on the ssue. He says he is not hateful toward anyone, but believes sins cannot be ignored.
“Who are we to change what his word says? That’s all I’m saying today. I’m not trying to be hateful towards anybody. If I come off as hateful, I am sorry, but I’m just teaching love and truth. And I just pray that people from both sides would have the decency to come at people with love, to not go at each other, to not attack each other, but to love them with truth. And we may have different views, but Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and nobody comes to the Father except by Him,” said Eklund.
Those supporting the event also took their turns at the lectern Tuesday night. Faith also became a major part of the argument for supporters of the event.
Pastor Megan Elliot of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church was joined by two fellow clergy members and also spoke on behalf of several others whom she said could not attend. Elliot says they are speaking together as a voice for inclusivity, justice, and compassion.
“All persons deserve the right to be fully themselves as they are and to do so without fear that their differences will be used by others to make them a target of anything other than respect and compassion. Next month, communities around the world will celebrate Pride Month. We are reminded that the struggle for equality is ongoing. As people of faith, we are called to stand with those who face discrimination, violence and marginalization for the radical act of simply being who they are, expressing their identity and loving who they love. Pride is a commitment to recognizing and honoring the dignity and rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals and their loved ones. It is a time to celebrate the diversity that strengthens our community fabric and to acknowledge the contributions of LGBTQIA+ persons to our cultural, economic, and social vitality,” said Elliot.
Russell Marinelli, a resident of the Canyon Lake area in Comal County, says he is tired of having to fight for these rights. He told the council he witnessed how tensions escalated in New Braunfels when Riverside Pride attempted to host an event there last year.
He says death threats were made against people who were simply trying to manage the venue where the event was scheduled to be held. Marinelli says he hopes Seguin will show its neighbors in Comal County how to properly handle the situation despite the current opposition.
“Seguin has a chance to show Riverside Pride, the LGBT community and Comal County that people who are different have a right to exist, have a right to grow, have a right to establish roots and set their futures in a place that gives them the opportunity to do that,” said Marinelli.
Local resident Lynette Leanox was among those speaking out against Pride Fest.
Joyce Fox says she has friends and family members who are gay and lesbian. She says she hopes the city of Seguin will protect their rights and allow them to celebrate who they are.
“Seguin is fast growing and I want it to be a welcoming community for all our residents. I trust you, our City Council, to make fair and forward decisions,” said Fox.
Even though there was no deliberation by the council Tuesday night, Councilman David Eveld requested that the council be allowed to consider the issue during a future meeting.
“I’d like to propose that we place a topic on the agenda for the next council meeting for a presentation by the city attorney or city manager on what the legal issues are facing the city concerning whether the city literally has to allow this LGBT Pride Fest with a drag show to take place on city property at the Coliseum. If the city does lease the Coliseum out for an LGBT Pride Fest. I think the citizens of Seguin need to know and deserve to know why the city is making that decision,” said Eveld.
Coliseum rentals are not typically vetted by the city council. Instead, rentals are generally handled through a first-come, first-served process for those seeking to use the public facility.
Based on Eveld’s request, the issue is likely to appear on the agenda for the next council meeting. It remains unclear what authority the council may or may not have regarding the booking of the coliseum. Public comments lasted just shy of two hours during Tuesday night’s meeting.