Pride festival debated at council meeting
May 22—ASHTABULA — After hearing comments from opposing sides regarding drag queens being able to perform at Walnut Beach for the upcoming Pride Festival on June 15, City Council took no action to change the permit at a meeting Monday night.
A petition was circulating on Facebook from Kelly Lunneberg that stated, "During the May 6th meeting, the City Council had glowing praise at the prospect of the Pride festival moving to Walnut Beach. Show up and tell them why you feel that promoting drag to children is not the reputation Ashtabula needs."
President of Council John Roskovics said that council had been asked several times to ask the city manager to change the festival permit to include parental consent for children wanting to attend the festival.
Council chambers were packed at the start of the meeting at 7 p.m.
Members of different churches and local residents showed up in support of the petition.
"We, as a city are responsible for making sure that no decadent and perverse things go on," said Ashtabula resident Bishop David Lettau. "It's worthy of death, as it says in the Bible. We need to take heed of that."
"We might not agree with your lifestyle," said Ashtabula resident Cheryl Clark. "But you're certainly loved. Why? Because God is love. If you go on with this performance in June, I'll be there. Not because I want to watch freak-style hypocrites, but because I want to talk to anyone who will listen. How to accept Jesus into their heart and how to be forgiven of your sin."
"One drag artist, initials C.G., says by its very nature, drag is unsuitable for children," said Ashtabula resident Mary Ellen Blake.
Members from the LGBTQIA+ community showed up and expressed their concerns.
"I did not come out very early ... I was afraid, because people come like this," said Andover resident Brittany Quellhorst. "I did go to church for a very long time. I left that area because of things like this that occur. I lost that safe space. Drag shows people who are so confident in putting on these personas, ... it's something I wish that I had. It's amazing to see this county come together for something like this. Please, if they encourage you to take this away, please do not."
"Drag and pride shows showed me how happy my life could be as an adult who could live freely," said Aaron Van Vuren. "Drag is love and acceptance. I stand up here saying that drag changed my life as a child for the better. You can't say that made me gay ... I was already gay and I was already trans. The gay community is what made me feel so not alone in the world anymore."
"The LGBTQ is within your community and over the years we have never had to fight this much before," said Geneva resident Cassie Eaton. "And what are we fighting for? Just to be allowed to celebrate being proud? What we should fear in the city is not providing safe spaces for the entirety of our youth population."
No motion was made to change the permit for the festival at the end of the meeting.
"I just think that it's sad that it has come to this situation," Roskovics said. "We have a nice town. It's always been a very welcoming town. We have a nice park ... people want to use it. It's just sad that this controversy has come to our neck of the woods."
