Tensions boil over in Niceville as residents try to stop a Drag Show Story Hour
NICEVILLE — Tensions rose at the end of Tuesday's Niceville City Council meeting as community members raised concerns about a Drag Queen Story Hour scheduled at an upcoming Pride Festival at the Niceville Community Center in June.
Here is what we know.
How did we get here?
The community's outrage began when various Niceville residents shared a flyer for an upcoming event called Emerald Coast Pride 2024 on Facebook earlier this week. The event is scheduled to be held at the Niceville Community Center on June 1.
PFLAG Niceville, a local LGTBQ+ support group, will host the event. The day of events is advertised as a family-friendly affair, where attendees of any age can partake in games, face paintings, entertainment from a local DJ and a free pride prom.
As information made its way across social media, some began lashing out about the inclusion of a Drag Queen Story Hour, billed as a event where some special ladies read lighthearted stories. The outrage was then on full display toward the end of Tuesday's meeting.
The conversation begins
The first resident to speak was Jeff Mazur, who told the council that he thought the Pride event specifically targeted children.
Mazur said that last year, the event's biggest sponsor was a local sex shop, Risque Moments. Listed on the PFLAG website as a "rainbow sponsor," which the store was last year, it receives registration at the event. Along with business information and a logo on the PFLAG website, the store can set up a table inside the event.
Mazur said he thought the event would violate Florida Statute 827.11, which pertains to exposing children to an adult live performance, which is defined as any show, exhibition or presentation in front of a live audience that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct or excitement or any specific sexual activities.
City Manager David Deitch then interjected on the city's behalf and told those in attendance the PFLAG does not have a contract with the city to use the community center for the event as of Tuesday night. He then added that because of the Supreme Court's recent ruling, the city could not enforce the law cited by Mazur, Senate Bill 1438, also known as the "anti-drag law."
After questions from the audience, Deitch said the City Council does not approve who can use the event space. Rather, the decision is made internally, with Deitch having final approval on whether the space can be used.
'Who's forcing people to come?'
As Mazur stepped away from the podium, Councilman Sal Nodjomian, who phoned into Tuesday's meeting, asked Mazur a question.
"I'm trying to understand what your position is," Nodjomian said. "How are parents being forced to bring their children to this event?"
Mazur told the board he felt that events like these, with activities such as face paintings, movies and drag queen story hour, are aimed toward kids.
"Are we fearful children will show up on their own?" Nodjomian asked. His response led to gasps from the audience.
Stepping up to the podium to respond to that question, Deacon Tom Elsesser of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church said he wasn't fearful of that. Rather, he feared he would have to "forego what I have in this city."
"Because somebody else wants to come over and give indoctrination to my children, I shouldn't have to withhold my children from the library because a drag queen wants to put on a show," Elsesser said.
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Deitch then clarified that the library was not a venue for any event. For any event, a group must have a valid contract with the city to use the community center or any city-owned property. Deitch added that library staff could host readings if a reading hour were held there.
"Who's forcing people to come?" Nodjomian asked.
"I'm sure you don't mind if I want to hold a Ku Klux Klan rally, do you?" Elsesser added. "Because no one's going to be forced to come to it."
"If that's something you're really interested in, then sure," Nodjomian replied.
As Elsesser echoed previous comments about alleged indoctrination into the LGBTQ lifestyle, another resident came forward and told the City Council that the city should treat drag shows like cigarettes and liquor. The city doesn't allow advertising for those items near schools and churches.
Councilman Doug Stauffer, the pastor of Faith Independent Baptist Church, said he sent "people" to a recent drag show in Fort Walton Beach to get video of the event. In that video, he alleges that evidence can be found that deemed parts of the show as too sexual for children.
After Stauffer's comments, Mayor Dan Henkel called for a vote to close the meeting, to which the motion was seconded, and then the meeting was adjourned.
PFLAG reaction
On Wednesday, PFLAG Niceville announced the launch of a GoFundMe campaign called the "Love Wins Campaign," which it says is a direct response to the negativity seen at Tuesday's meeting.
"It's time to rally together because, guess what? The haters out there (are) loud and proud," said PFLAG Niceville in the GoFundMe description. "At the recent Niceville City Council meeting, they made their voices heard, aiming to put a stop to our Pride event this year.
"But we're not backing down," the post continued. "Our mission? To flood our community with love. To show everyone the so-called 'big gay agenda' they fear is nothing but a campaign for love, acceptance and equality."
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: In Niceville, tensions runs high over proposed Pride event