The City of Jackson is listed as an official sponsor of Jackson Pride’s weekend LGBT pride celebration, which features an all-ages drag show.
“Jackson Pride is an annual event celebrating the LGBTQIA community and its allies. Hosted every fall right here in Jackson, TN, it celebrates inclusivity in a fun, family-friendly environment,” says the city’s official website.
The city is even trying to drum up cash from the LGBT group.
“Open to all ages, Jackson Pride features live music, local food, and a celebration of the diversity that makes Jackson special. Cost of admission is $1 or a donation of your choosing,” according to the website.
In a flyer for the event, the city is also listed alongside Starbucks and several local businesses as official sponsors of the event.
A board member for the event confirmed that pride celebration will include the all ages drag show.
“The day will conclude with a family-friendly Drag Show, featuring some of the regions [sic[ most talented performers,” said Darren Lykes, a Jackson Pride Board Member. “A one-dollar donation is requested for admission to the event.”
The Tennessee Star reported the event is being challenged by a member of the Tennessee General Assembly who says the group is violating the law by opening an “adult cabaret” within 1,000 feet of a church.
State Representative Chris Todd (R-Jackson) filed an injunction against the city of Jackson, asking a judge to stop the event taking place.
On Friday, the day before the event, there was no update on whether a legal decision had been made regarding Todd’s injunction.
The city did not return a comment request from The Star asking whether taxpayers who might disagree with the content of the pride event should be concerned.
A similar event in Chattanooga recently ended in national controversy, with that city’s pride organization re-thinking its drag shows.
As part of Chattanooga Pride’s celebration, princess characters were asked to perform. A child was recorded touching the groin of one of those performers.
Though they were not affiliated with the drag show, public members questioned the appropriateness of the contact.
Later in the day, there was an all ages drag show featuring provocative content.
Noah Corbin, the leader of Chattanooga Pride, told The Star that the group would consider adding more rules to their drag performances, intended to clarify for audiences how provocative shows might be. He said the group will consider banning some dance moves, as well as adding a movie-style rating system, like “PG-13” or “R” to performances.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Drag Queen” by Tarek Mahammed.
in the last days good will be bad and bad will be good.
Pride is one of the 7 deadly sins.
What has happened to Jackson?????
Promoting evil?
Thank you, Representative Todd.