| christian grantham | |||
| Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD. | |||
|
|
|
||
latest posts
January 25, 2005
I don't agree with the tactics of the concerned citizens of Charlotte, but what other choice do they have? I do agree that "gay pride" parades across the country have gotten out of control. Free speech doesn't grant lesbians the right to roam public streets topless or men the right to bear all but a thong and roller skates. It also doesn't allow bookstores to openly distribute pornography on sidewalks.
If these annual events are no longer a place where families with children can participate, the events should either find private venues or be shut down. It's a shame our own community isn't taking a lead and demanding "pride" organizers live up to community standards of deceny.
About 100 opponents of a Marshall Park gay-pride festival urged the Charlotte City Council to clamp down on public displays supporting homosexuality."That is a low community standard," said David Benham of Concord. "And we have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to this."
The speakers, who took all of the slots available at the council's public forum, complained about explicit photos and skits at last May's event. Quoting the Bible and invoking Jesus Christ, they told the council that it was sponsoring immorality and sin.
Many of the same speakers came to the council last fall with similar objections. In memos, city officials said that the festival's organizers were protected by the First Amendment.
[Many complain about gay-pride festival - Charlotte Observer - 01-25-05]
filed under: Free Speech
