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Tag Archives: Bigotry

HB 2075: Who checks?

06 Friday Mar 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

54th Legislative District, bathrooms, bigot, Bigotry, bigots, Brandon Phelps, General Assembly, HB 2075, right wingnuts, transphobia

Everybody has to pee.

So, is somebody going to stand at the restroom door and have you pull down your pants before you can enter? Just asking.

Brandon Phelps (r) [2025 file photo].

HB 2075
Establishes provisions for restroom designations in all public buildings
Sponsor: Phelps, Brandon (054)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2026
LR Number: 4434H.01I
Last Action: 03/02/2026 – Public Hearing Completed (H)
Bill String: HB 2075
[….]

The bill summary:

HB 2075 — SINGLE-SEX ACCESS TO CERTAIN FACILITIES
SPONSOR: Phelps

The bill defines “biological sex” as the biological indication of male or female in the context of reproductive potential or capacity, whereas “gender” is defined as the psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural aspects of being male or female. The bill also defines the terms “school”, “institution of higher education”, “single-occupancy facility”, “multi-occupancy facility”, “family facility”, and “public building”.

This bill requires multi-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and shower rooms found in public buildings, schools, and institutions of higher education to be designated with clear signage for the exclusive use of person of the male biological sex or female biological sex. A member of the male
biological sex will not be permitted to use a multi-occupancy facility that has been designated for the exclusive use of persons of the female biological sex, and a member of the female biological sex will not be permitted to use a multi-occupancy facility that has been designated for the exclusive use of persons of the male biological sex.

The bill specifies that a multi-occupancy facility must not be designated for use by persons of a particular gender or genders instead of, or in addition to, persons of a particular biological sex. However, this provision does not prohibit family facilities. Schools are prohibited from allowing members of the male biological sex and the female biological sex from sharing overnight accommodations in any setting where students are staying overnight, including school trips.

This bill requires policies adopted in accordance with these provisions to include accommodations for persons who request them, to include the use of single-occupancy facilities.

[….]

Failure to comply with the provisions of this bill will result in the revocation or withholding of state funding for the entity operating a public building, school, or institution of higher education.

[….]

Some of the submitted testimony:

I strongly support the initiative. We need to make sure that the deviants who want to intrude into opposite-sex restrooms are held accountable.

“Cross your legs and hold it” as a cultural norm…

Missouri is a common sense state that understands that men should not be in women’s restrooms and that women should not be in men’s restrooms. We must take action to end the support for certain individuals delusions that jeopardize not only the public conscience, but especially the physical and emotional safety of normal women across the state. I have personally seen people made uncomfortable by the intrusion of their private spaces by members of the opposite sex, and this is totally unnecessary. There is no reason for this legislature, which is dominated by Republicans, to betray their constituents by allowing this bill to die. Thank you.

Quit treating these people like objects and not humans. There have been Family bathrooms in lots of buildings including airports and trains stations. All go in them. It wasn’t a problem until MAGA decided it was. Why don’t you focus on the fact families and Seniors can’t afford to feed their families or themselves. Housing is too expensive. Health care gets rougher every day. Leave all the people you racists hate alone. We are a country of immigrants and you are the ones who make it seem bad. Why?? ? Get all felons out of this country including those holding Public office.

“Trans Liberation Now”

The Missouri Catholic Conference supports HB 2075, as it would ensure that fundamental safety and privacy standards for both men and women are guaranteed in certain spaces that, because of their nature, should not be shared with persons of the opposite sex. Designating those spaces as sex separated would protect the God-given dignity of both males and females, provide clarity, uphold justice and the common good, and ensure that our laws comport with a proper understanding of human nature. The Missouri Catholic Conference urges the committee to vote “DO PASS” on HB 2075.

Dayam. We have unisex restrooms in our house.

Every single human being should have the freedom to use the restroom without being harassed. As long as they’re neat and wash their hands, it shouldn’t matter what bathrooms Transgender people use. Stop trying to regulate people’s bodily functions or to be the genital police.

I support this bill because As a society, we should NOT cater to the transgender crowd. They are lost individuals in society and tremendously need the Love of Christ in their life and read what the Bible says. Especially in our schools. Our youth in particular, are so persuasive and this kind of behavior should not be tolerated in our schools. A boy is a boy from birth that becomes a man for the rest of his life and a girl is a girl from birth that becomes a woman for the rest of her life!

Probably not attributable to Gandhi. But you get the point

Once again, Missouri politicians have no business telling grown adults in higher education which bathroom they can use. Education and college should be for everyone willing to do the course work. These practices of discrimination are clearly an attempt to erase transgender people from Missouri and make it harder for them to get decent jobs. [….]

Missouri families are under real financial pressure. Healthcare costs keep rising, grocery bills are stretching household budgets, and tens of thousands of Missourians still do not have reliable access to primary care. At a time when these challenges should be the focus of this legislature, HB 2075 directs state attention toward regulating restroom designations in public buildings. This bill addresses no documented crisis, creates new compliance costs for schools, libraries, municipal offices, and small businesses, and risks years of expensive litigation for the state.

Missouri lawmakers should be focused on lowering prescription drug costs, protecting Medicaid coverage for working families, and expanding healthcare access across the 114 counties facing provider shortages. HB 2075 moves us away from those priorities and spends taxpayer resources on an issue that does nothing to improve the daily lives of Missouri families. For these reasons, I urge the committee to oppose HB 2075 and focus instead on legislation that addresses the economic and healthcare challenges Missourians face every day.

i’m a middle-aged white guy and i think our government needs to start treating trans people with respect and equal rights. way overdue!! the reason they are treated so poorly in america has everything to do with how shady our government is and nothing to do with them and their existence or how they live their lives. they are no threat to men, women, or children – and they don’t deserve to live in fear.

I believe we share values to protect people against harm. I don’t want people attacked or harassed in bathrooms.

However, I believe that this bill will do more to expose people to harm than to protect people from it. Crime statistics do not support a high rate of violence by transgender women against cisgender women (i.e., the sort that seems feared by continuing to allow transgender women to use the women’s bathroom).

In contrast, there is very strong evidence for violence by cisgender men against transgender women (i.e., the sort that we could expect by forcing transgender women into men’s bathrooms). People that are transgender are 4 times as likely to be victims of violent crime, and cisgender men are by far the most common perpetrator against transgender women.

Many people that are transgender “pass” in public as their identified gender, and this helps avoid that exposure to violence. By forcing people that are transgender to use their “biological sex” bathroom, we are also forcing them “out” to coworkers and strangers every time that they have to use the facilities, thus exposing them to more potential for violence.

We all have to pee.

Discrimination pure and simple.

This is a ridiculous overreach of government that puts trans people at risk and ostracizes them needlessly.

The argument that it will keep men out of the ladies’ room is 110% incorrect because it will force trans men into using restrooms that they wouldn’t choose for themselves. It will actually make it more common for male-presenting folks to walk into the women’s restroom, thereby making it easier for predatory cis-men to enter and assault women and children.

This bill does nothing but hurt a small group of people living in the state of Missouri. If it were really about protecting the children, there’d be free school lunches, mandatory vaccines, and let trans people live their lives. There is no good reason to target trans people, and that’s all this is.

This bill removes local control and does more harm than good. People already know which bathroom works for them.

It all ends up in the same place, too.

Trans people, statistically and historically, are one of the safest groups to be around, especially when it comes to safety of women. Women are more likely to be assaulted in a church than in a bathroom with a Trans person. I am highly bothered by my state using resources to submit three bills on a non-issue than working towards anything that actually impacts Missourians such has housing affordability or rural development. Or even measures to help with drugs.

Abhorrent bigotry. Please stop it. As a Missouri resident I am embarrassed this is even being considered.

As a cisgender woman, I know – as does the general public – that there is no danger or risk for anyone EXCEPT for transgender, gender expansive and intersex people when states implement bathroom bans.

You are not protecting women. You are not protecting children. You are simply pushing the already most marginalized and publicly persecuted group of American human beings further and further into the shadows.

What are you doing to stop cisgender from from raping children and women and transgender people? Focus on actual issues instead of being puppets for the administration. Have some humanity. People need to use restrooms – you don’t just detransition overnight you’re leaving them in an impossible situation.

Finally, you put extra people at risk. There are plenty of cisgender people walking around who often get mistaken for the opposite gender. These are simply men with feminine features or vice versa. By implementing divisive bans, you put a much larger population at risk.

As a woman in a relationship with another masculine-presenting woman, this bill puts my CISGENDER partner in extreme risk. She already has to deal with regular harassment from the public, there is no need for a useless law to make this even worse. I have so many amazing trans friends too. If they can’t safely use public facilities because they will get harassed by going to the facility for their assigned at birth gender, they would no longer be able to do their jobs, travel safely, enjoy public events, and so much more.

You also alienate people from other states who will now place a travel ban on Missouri.

No one should police others’ bodies. And our government has no business policing my body or anyone else’s. If I’m a short haired flat chested woman will I be questioned on my bathroom choice? Who gets to decide who looks feminine enough?

Trans people have been using public bathrooms for decades without incident. Most people have probably shared a public restroom with a trans person at some point and never realized it. There is no evidence that allowing trans women to use women’s bathrooms leads to assaults or safety risks.

A little research shows Transgender and gender-nonconforming people face high rates of harassment and violence in public restrooms. According to the Williams Institute (2013), 70% of trans people surveyed had been denied access, harassed, or assaulted in a restroom.

Data from Transequality.org shows that 68% of transgender people have been verbally harassed and 9% physically assaulted while using a public restroom. Eight percent have developed kidney or urinary tract infections from avoiding restrooms due to fear.

It’s not just trans women. Many cisgender women who don’t conform to gender norms—such as women with short hair, muscular builds, or masculine clothing—report being questioned or harassed in women’s restrooms.

Stop this nonsense.

These bills are an absolute waste of taxpayer money, and are harmful to our most vulnerable population.

I’m sorry I can’t put this more eloquently, but what are we doing here? Your president is starting wars and making life less safe and more expensive for the average Missourian, yet you’re spending your time and energy continuing to attack a marginalized minority? This is done under the guise of protecting women and girls, yet I am not seeing any investigations or consequences on the files detailing actual sexual abuse and human trafficking of underage girls by your president’s best friend, cabinet members, and seemingly the man himself. As a mother of an 11 year old girl, I would much rather her be around a trans or non-binary person and would trust her alone with them much more than I would anyone in charge right now. This is a blatant corruption of power and I am sick of my taxpayer dollars being wasted on this nonsense.

Stop being a bigot. Trans people just want to pee. This does nothing to protect women and anything that would help women, you would vote against. History will judge you harshly for your cruel attacks on transgender Americans, an already vulnerable group.

To those who are not directly affected by these decisions, I ask you to pause and really think. Just because something does not impact you or your family personally does not mean it doesn’t impact real people. Human beings. People who deserve to live freely and safely in the state they call home.

No one should have to worry that decisions made by people who don’t understand their lives, their needs, or their realities could put their safety at risk. Policies are not abstract. They affect bodies, dignity, mental health, and in some cases, lives.

Please choose empathy. Please choose humanity. Please think about the weight of the decisions being made and the real consequences they carry. These are people who simply want to live in peace and be left alone.

Be the bridge where division has been created. We all deserve a safe space to exist.

Bathroom bills legislate a promblem that isn’t a real problem. This is a waste of resources and time. Policing of bathrooms does not protect anyone. It only endangers those who look different. I, a cis woman, do not feel safer with legislation like this being put forth. It weaponizes a person appearance and emboldens those with those with prejudice against those who may not fit certain beauty standards as well as makes it impossible for those who have transitioned to use the bathroom. I don’t want some MAGA weirdo policing me or my young neice asking what’s in her pants because her hair is too short or is a little taller than most, or her voice is a little deeper than others, or she power lifts, etc. Y’all are trying to make trans peoples lives so hard legislating against such a small group of people who just want to live their lives. Trans people should be able to use the bathroom without the fear of some
weirdo or person on a power trip policing them. I wish you had this same energy for Trump and those friends of the Epstein class whom actually hurt women and girls. Let trans people live!

I am a straight cis woman who is 6 foot tall, wide shoulders, I don’t wear makeup often, I don’t dress up, my general choice will always be jeans, t shirt, and tennis shoes.

Recently the obsession with genitals has escalated rapidly, our representatives are pushing bill after bill to target marginalized and already endangered humans who are just trying to go about their lives in peace.

Up until last year I had no fear of men in women’s restrooms, that was before a woman assumed I was a trans woman, went out and told her partner, and suddenly I hear heavy footsteps, someone bangs loudly on the stall walls and started screaming, “faggot!! Get out here and face me!” Along with other
slurs and threats. I didn’t know he was meaning me until I exited the stall, afraid of what was going on. He was red faced and seething, probably 6ft 3in tall, big guy. I told him in a shaky voice I was a womanand he needed to leave. He did. But only because an employee had gone to get a manager.

I was afraid.

I have never been afraid in a public bathroom of a trans woman. Not once. I have multiple trans friends and I would trust all of them far more than anyone who thinks they have a right to say what a woman is and is not based on characteristics alone.

Gender is a spectrum. Humans are a spectrum. It’s what makes us so unique and important – our differences make us stronger.

No woman deserves to be scared because she “isn’t feminine enough” or “dainty enough”. We have real issues in Missouri.

Education.
Healthcare.
Housing.
Etc.

This is a waste of time and it’s stupid.

[….]

I moved to this state because it was safer for me to be trans here than in southern Illinois. The people here were more accepting. If this passes I will have to leave for my own safety. And take my tax money with me. Do you want to see me with a full beard in the women’s restroom? Or do you just want to see me piss myself?

“Pull down your pants!” is certainly a different right wingnut take on “Your papers, please.”

Previously:

Hey Brandon Phelps (r), we hear you’re afraid of church ladies (September 18, 2025)

HB 38: state-sanctioned bigotry

03 Tuesday Dec 2024

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bigotry, General Assembly, Hardy Billington, HB 38, LGBTQIA+, missouri, pearl clutching, right wingnut

“Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

Hardy Billington (r) [2022 file photo]

Bill prefiling for the 2025 legislative session has started.

Right wingnut priorities:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO.38 [pdf]
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BILLINGTON.

0233H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 167, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to school employees and independent contractors.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

[….]

2. No employee or independent contractor shall knowingly address, identify, or refer to a student by pronouns that are different from the pronouns that align with such student’s biological sex unless the public school or school board receives written permission from the student’s parent.

3. No public school or school board shall require an employee or independent contractor to address, identify, or refer to an individual by pronouns that are different from the pronouns that align with such individual’s biological sex if such usage is contrary to such employee’s or independent contractor’s religious or moral convictions.

4. Each public school and school board shall adopt and implement a policy that is substantially similar to the provisions of this section.

5. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employee or independent contractor from discussing any matters of public concern outside the context of such employee’s or independent contractor’s official duties.

“…No public school or school board shall require an employee or independent contractor to address, identify, or refer to an individual by pronouns that are different from the pronouns that align with such individual’s biological sex if such usage is contrary to such employee’s or independent contractor’s religious or moral convictions…”

How would they know? Who’s going to check?

Not all dumbass bigots are republican

12 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bigotry, bigots, cat, Donald Trump, dumbass, Dumbassery, Marianne Williamson

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

Marianne Williamson [2019 file photo].

Marianne Williamson @marwilliamson
Continuing to dump on Trump because of the “eating cats” issue will create blowback on Nov. 5. Haitian voodoo is in fact real, and to dismiss the story out-of-hand rather than listen to the citizens of Springfield. Ohio confirms in the minds of many voters the stereotype of Democrats as smug elite jerks who think they’re too smart to listen to anyone outside their own silo.
9:01 AM · Sep 12, 2024

Exactly.

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – June 12, 2023 – Epilogue

13 Tuesday Jun 2023

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bigotry, City Council, LGBTQIA+, missouri, Pride Festival, Pride Month, Warrensburg

On Monday evening, June 12th, the Warrensburg, Missouri City Council convened for a regularly scheduled meeting. In contrast to the two previous meetings the gallery, while populated, was not packed. The large contingent of hand-wringing pearl-clutching bigots at the previous city council meetings did not appear to be in attendance.

During the public comment portion of the agenda:

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WarrensburgCityCouncil061223PublicComment1.mp3
.

…Today I address you as a private citizen. First and foremost, I must apologize. I’ve not been as available to the public in my role as DIC [Warrensburg Diversity & Inclusion Commission] Chair I’ve been preoccupied and, thusly, unaware of some circumstances that transpired at our annual Pride Month event that was held on June 3rd. Specifically, the clear and present danger of threats of violence made against citizens of our community in a direct effort to instill fear and prevent rightful citizens from creating a more inclusive and safer place for the LGBTQIA+ community.

As this meeting marks our city’s resolve to commit to being the community of inclusion, I wish to publicly condemn threats of violence against other groups within our community.

I will not relitigate the events of the past, nor will I engage in a circular debate about beliefs or ideology. This is for another time.

What I offer instead is a reminder to all about our fundamental American beliefs in tolerating the opinions of other. And engaging in peaceful protest or debate with people who hold different views than our own.

Fear, threats of violence, and plans to commit violence to submit others into compliance are tools of Fascists, extremists, and terrorists. They are un-American.

We must be mindful of the tactics we use to express our outrage and our viewpoints. Thus, we embrace the ideals that we as Americans have sworn to defend against.

To members of the LGBTQIA+ community on attendance and those streaming online, and for those of you here, I’d hope you’d tell them the same, I will not tell that the journey to equality will be peaceful, simple, and trouble free. They may already know this by now. Instead, what I will share with you is that you are loved, you have a right to exist, to be heard, and to be treated justly as every other person who calls Warrensburg home.

There are many in our community who would stand behind you to propel your fight forward, others who will stand by your side to march with you towards equality, and there are others, like me, who will stand in front of you to embrace and shield you from the hate, vitriol, abuse, ignorance, and fearmongering.

You are not alone. Continue to inspire change. Continue to embrace the struggle, resist, and confront ignorance. Break down barriers.

In time we may be able to be part of a more inclusive world, but at the very least we can create one for those who follow after us.

Happy Pride Month.

Thank you all for your time.

[applause]

Previously:

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 26, 2021 (June 26, 2021)

Local busybodies engage in pearl clutching (June 3, 2022)

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ.” (June 4, 2022)

Pride Festival – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 4, 2022 (June 4, 2022)

The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 19, 2023)

Always the other (April 21, 2023)

Meta – The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 22, 2023)

Unified Field Theory of Right Wingnut Pearl Clutching, Self-Righteousness, and Victimhood (April 22, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 (April 25, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 – part 2 (April 26, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 2 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 3 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 4 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 5 (May 10, 2023)

Living in a self-imposed cultural vacuum (May 10, 2023)

A downward spiral…of pearl clutching (May 25, 2023)

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 3, 2023 – Returning to Family Friendly Format (May 26, 2023)

Thoughts and… (May 27, 2023)

Everyone is here for the ratio (May 28, 2023)

All means all (May 29, 2023)

Warrenburg, Missouri Pride Festival – before the crowd – June 3, 2023 (June 3, 2023)

Warrensburg, Missouri Pride Festival – hand wringing, pearl clutching, and sign waving in the noonday sun – June 3, 2023 (June 3, 2023)

Warrensburg, Missouri Pride Festival – June 3, 2023 (June 4, 2023)

Some (former) constituents are more equal than others (June 4, 2023)

The Devil is in the details (June 5, 2023)

The Venn Diagram is a perfect circle (June 6, 2023)

When all you ever play is beanball (June 7, 2023)

An ally (June 6, 2023)

Everyone is here for the ratio

28 Sunday May 2023

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Bigotry, drag show, LGBTQIA+, missouri, pearl clutcher, Pride Festival, social media, Warrensburg

A group is up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show and pop music tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022. After security concerns about threats were addressed the Warrensburg Pride Festival is proceeding with its original format.

These right wingnut busybodies had organized on-line to speak to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of the City Council’s evening meetings on April 24th and May 8th, asking them to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival. The Warrensburg City Council listened.

Yesterday someone posted their upset on a Warrensburg community social media page:

[….]
It shocks me that the city of Warrensburg is ok with a
“family friendly” drag show. So disappointing!

There was much hilarity in over a thousand responses:

I’ve gone since they started 2 years ago!

If you don’t like it don’t go. But good on Warrensburg for being inclusive

Thanks for posting this! I didn’t know it was happening! [….] let’s go!

[….] exactly lol. I don’t think free advertisement was what they were going for but it’s what they got. [….]
I was disappointed when they canceled the family friendly. Nice to see we can take the family now.

you should be ashamed for still coming on Facebook just to take time out of your day to discriminate something you don’t even go to it’s childish grow up hun

Get a grip [….]. Imagine how much energy you’d have not being so full of hate.

Warrensburg is a very diversified community. Men dressing as women has been around for 100’s of years.

Thousands
It’s amazing on the last 2 that it’s become such a topic of ‘concern’.
And those so concerned haven’t got the brains to realize they didn’t care their whole lives until they were told it was bad by politics…and too blindsee they’ve been duped as pawns in an imaginary culture war.

Sounds like a fun time

[….] we are afraid of what we don’t know. I would say come and check it out, but I’d recommend therapy first!!

Imagine being a crotchety old woman and directing hate to something that has nothing to do with them. Go knit a blanket and watch fox and mind your own damn business for a change [….]

Saw RuPaul Drag Race guys at Hamburger Mary’s in Chicago a few years back, what a great show.

OMG

Worry about yourself [….]. I bet you’re a Christian who “only god can judge” too [….].

Imma just point that I’ve seen plenty of men dressed in drag around Warrensburg, year around too, and no one said a word. I’ve seen them at grocery stores, gas stations, fast food restaurants, literally everywhere. Lived there nearly 20yrs. Not a single issue. Now all of a sudden it is? Why? Just cause they don’t match your beliefs, lifestyles and micro-managed thought processes? Like my mama told me growing, life ain’t fair and you are just gonna have to learn to get along with it. Let them have this. It’s not like our country is trying to actively kill them at every legal turn. Oh wait. Yes, they are.

Girl just say you don’t know how to have fun

18+ at 6 p.m., drag show starts at 6 p.m….lazy propagandaing but ok.

An explanation:

[….] this was originally an all ages event until threats were made towards the staff, performers and the venue supposedly for having an all ages show. At the same time a group of people in this town were attending city council meetings and demanding an ordinance be passed to make drag only for 21+.
With that Nclusion decided to make it 18+.
People became upset and offered to assist. Now that security has been heavily increased and a police presence will be at the event off and on the threat has been mitigated. The event will be all ages with 2 all age shows. After 5 pm the event will be cleared to check that no minors are in the building before the 6 pm adults only show.
Also, that group at the city council now wants to pass an ordinance banning all drag. [….] is a proud member of the group.

[….] wow that’s super gross behavior on their part. It’s seriously just people dressing up and having a fun time. The shows that are meant to be for 18+ are always super strict about it being specifically 18+ too. It isn’t like they just allow small children in for that. It doesn’t suprise me about burg at all but I’m glad that there are so many people who are open and loving moving out this way, it hasn’t always been like that.

Back to the main thread:

[….] it all started going downhill when they took down the old Arby’s sign.

It’s fitting your name is [….] lol. Love is love, clearly you don’t understand that.

Another branch:

it’s weird not only how obsessed you are with something you claim to be so against, but also how fixated you are on the sexual aspect of drag queens. You a lil curious there, sweetie? Having some confusing feelings?

Main thread:

If ya don’t like it don’t go

Oooh I hadn’t seen this yet! Thanks for sharing!

Shows like this are why I’m so glad to live in this community. Anyone who doesn’t like it? Well, there are plenty of other communities that will accept you.

We see what you did there.

Just let people live their life. If you don’t like it, don’t take your family or kids, let people be happy and enjoy the life God blessed us with. Love thy neighbor.

Don’t worry, no one descended to hell last year, everyone but the seven people across the street who spent their day miserable had a really good time

[2022 file photo]

Oh where do I begin? Well, first, you should get out more. Warrensburg is diversified AND inclusive! You might try it. Second, why should ANYONE’S way of life be excluded? Third, people usually eschew that which they don’t understand. [….]

I’m sorry you feel the need to project the way you feel about yourself onto others. It’s not hard to be kind. Give it a try.

Thank you for sharing we wouldn’t have known with out your negativity/hate! Grow up ……[….]

You know you don’t have to go to it. I’m disappointed in you for not realizing that the world does not revolve around you

I feel like we’ve all already had this conversation with someone like you. It’s boring now. We get it. You’re stuck in your ways. Good for you. Just remember.. it’s 2023.. Your Era is up. Get used to it, boomer.

We all have.

Wow!!! Who do you think you are right now?!?! I don’t insert myself into the crap on this page very often but that was to disrespectful!

So much better than the beauty pagents for children!!! If I’m able, I’ll make sure to make it a family event [….]

Grow up. Like seriously

Show me on the doll where the drag queen hurt you when you were a kid.
Oh that’s right, they didn’t nor will they ever. Stop hating on something you clearly don’t understand.

Look at all the free publicity you got for the show! What a boost for the community you have been, love. I have no doubt they appreciate you! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Sounds like fun

So don’t go. How fucking hard is that?

It’s shocking that you feel like everyone should have to follow YOUR beliefs. Don’t like it? Don’t friggin go.

[….] This post didn’t go the way she thought it would.

[….]: I hate this thing
Also [….]: posts flyer so even more people know about the event! [….] The organizers thank you…because of YOU, more people will attend. Oopsies! [….]

There’s that.

I hope you’re ready to have your feelings hurt. If you’re not interested don’t go, nobody is forcing you. But I’m am so glad to have diversity close to my home. People are allowed to express theirselves just like you have in this post. I’m going to go off on a limb and guess you’re Christian.. what a shame if so. God wants us to love everybody or so I’ve been told. Much love to you and yours [….]

Thank you [….] had no idea this was happening here! Looks like it’s gonna be really fun! [….]

What is disappoint, is all of the so called adults that have decided this is a threat.
Grow up people

it’s 2023. get with the program.

Your whole profile is…yikes…

Don’t go, problem solved

Thanks for bringing awareness to this event! A lot of people didn’t know about this until you posted it so thanks so much because of your contributions more people will attend the event [….]

Some of ya’ll need to touch some grass. Get out an explore the world. That small town mindset. Yikes. [….]

someone should tell them their bathroom in their home is *gasp* gender neutral

Can’t wait !!!!

Waaa waaa waaa

Offs…..this is not the first year we’ve had drag shows here…..chill….you’re not required to go [….]

Actual license plate.

Heh.

It means go if your family is friendly. And if yours isn’t, stay home.

Fuck all the way off. Although, thanks for letting me know about Pridefest.

Just because you may not like it doesn’t mean anybody else will..people need to be more accepting..let people be happy! Shit it isn’t hard.
Stay home if you don’t like it. [….]
I am personally glad that we are having something like this here!
I just don’t understand what you benefit for being ugly?

I’ll buy your ticket to both shows and have you up front and center! What time should I pick you up?

Omg no we must save the children from….. Awesomeness!!!! How dare we allow children to see these amazing performers!!!

[2021 file photo]

Omg I had no idea this was happening! Thank you so much for spreading awareness. I’m so excited to go! I just got some awesome pride merch

Oh no a show that you can choose whether or not to go to….. good grief

Honestly, I’m dumbfounded as to why anyone would even comment on a post simply announcing a public function here in Warrensburg. If it’s not your thing, don’t attend. If it’s something of interest to you, by all means, go see it. Fairly simple.

Hi yeah go if you want to, don’t if you don’t. Everyone go outside, have a nice evening

Imagine being such a snowflake you think clothing has an assigned gender.

let’s not even address that historically heels and makeup were originally considered masculine

In early theatre, women were not allowed to perform so men “gasp” dressed as women!! Dang that Shakespeare for damaging family values by writing women into his plays.

Oh no, people in costumes scare you… don’t go, that simple

This is year 3 of this show here in Warrensburg and I attended the first 2 as well. It is an absolute blast! Regina La-rae is the host and an absolute queen. The booths are fun and the atmosphere can’t be beat. I highly recommend.

I bet Halloween pisses you off huh?

I love RuPauls Drag Show. I didn’t know they were going to be guests! Now I have to go!!

It doesn’t affect you so what does it matter

Ew. Another Karen

Some of ya’ll preaching all this hate sure are acting like the Pharisees and not the Jesus you claim to love

It makes me sad Warrensburg has so many bigots… disgusting

Jesus said the old laws have passed away and he gave us one command… To LOVE one and other as he loved us. The bible says God is LOVE. To the hate spewing “Christians”, LOVE brings more people to Christ than your hate ever will. All of you have family or friends that are gay, your hate terrifies them.

Just how is it being “shoved on you? ” Yoy certainly don’t have to go to this event. Stay home. Keep scrolling and even ignore this post entirely.

I must say I’m proud of Warrensburg right now, standing up for this event. And for that, I thank you.

It amazes me how judgemental people are. Same folks are “entertained” by movies like Mrs. Doubtfire, Tootsie, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar and more. It is entertainment! If you don’t think you will like it, don’t go! These Entertainers put on a great show and certainly do not need your negativity!! [….]

also Bugs Bunny, The Carol Burnett Show…

Don’t be a bigot.

Here’s a thought… if you don’t like it, don’t go. [….]

I thought most religion teaches to NOT JUDGE OTHERS. So much bigotry happening here.

DRAG QUEENS ARE JUST PERFORMERS!! THAT IS A L L. no different than a normal concert. no different than a band performance. or a circus. all of these things have the option to be ‘18+’ but can also be family friendly!! and most ARE family friendly!!
you all would rather die on a grave of bigotry, misinformation, and hate then recognize that there are actual problems and actual threats to our children going on.
You guys are the ones who want our children to be safe, but you’re the only ones imagining children in a gross context!!!

I can’t wait until all these haters find out that Shakespearean performances were technically drag performers. Men playing females. Men playing Juliet, having a sex scene portraying a woman.
Drag is nothing new. Y’all just got too damn soft and hide your hatred toward the lgbt community by bashing drag performers. [….]

Can you post the whole ad please. I would really like to go, with my kids!!!

If you don’t like it don’t go just stay away from it and don’t come onto Facebook and complain about something that doesn’t even involve you and drag performers are very family friendly around children especially at Warrensburgs pride show

If you don’t like it. Don’t go. Stop telling others what they can do because you are a homophobe

If you don’t like it. Scroll on by. Don’t be a Karen.

I mean, hats off to Warrensburg for being so inclusive, tolerant, progressive and 2023 century!! Way to go!! [….]

Because simply choosing not to go is so hard. [….]

Well if you don’t like it, stay home and keep your hatred to yourself, the world doesn’t need people like you spreading your ignorance and hate

Well now that you’ve announced it I hope the whole town shows up.

Oh my god get a life

Drag is not inherently sexual. And your perception of that is a you problem. [….]

So don’t go.

How embarrassing for your family that you actually posted this lol

What shocks me is there’s still people who discriminate against others who arent hurting a soul.

Thanks for posting this. I totally forgot!

And it shocks me we have people as ignorant and regressive as you. Face the facts homeslice, it’s 2023. They don’t expose themselves, the worst thing they do is swear like a sailor and hell I’m guilty of that! Drag is art. It’s expression. It’s BEAUTIFUL. And your attitude is not.

I’m glad Warrensburg is able to support diversity and groups that have been persecuted by people like the one who made this post. It’s unfortunate that today they are still having to worry about their freedoms being stripped away by fearful/hateful people. Grow up and learn some tolerance.

June 3rd? Perfect. Thanks for the advertising, this will be a great outing for my daughter and I!

If you don’t want your family going, don’t take your family. What other people do with their families is none of your business.

The world will progress without you, don’t worry

Thanks for posting! I had no idea this was happening! Drag shows are so much fun. Can’t wait!

Can I just say I love the support for this event. I can’t wait to take my kiddoes and go. This is ganna be amazing. Also looking for more LGBTQIA+ Friends. Especially parent friends.

Thanks for the advertisement! Seems like it’ll be a lot of fun, I’ll make sure to let all the kids know that the drag queens are statistically near 100% safer than the priest at church

it shocks me that people like you still exist, pls do the research before you post things like this on a public platform. obviously you don’t understand the severity of your hate, nor do you understand the reality of your words and their consequences. you hate it because you don’t understand it, that doesn’t mean that everyone around you isn’t allowed to enjoy queer spaces.

Is this the same Burg where there was publicly a post shaming Asian people and majority of the racists came out of their snake holes to spew a bunch of hate-filled crap? That Burg?? Or the one where these people would cry over a mask being put over their face for a brief moment in a store?? That Burg?
Then are we really that surprised these people don’t have a grasp on what drag is? Like, are we CERTAIN we’re that surprised?? [….] These people are the personification of “yeehaw” and we are that surprised… like…. I’m not surprised in the slightest. These people don’t know what they’re talking about. Drag isn’t even in a certain age group, it varies depending on the performer. It’s like saying Taylor Swift is in the same type of age demographic she caters to, as Cardi B. Come on, now… I know you guys aren’t that dependent on assumptions and grouping people up.
But thank you for this post as it reminds me that I can in fact attend ! I’ll keep it in mind.

What’s shocks me is that it’s really that big of a problem to some people. Seriously it’s not like they are doing this with a captive audience with no choice in what they are watching. If you dont want to see it then don’t go, its a Super simple solution to a super simple perceived problem
It really doesn’t matter where you stand in your personal beliefs, as long as nobody is forcing anyone to do anything then mind your own business

You’d think.

Sounds like a fun evening my nieces and I [….] Thanks for the reminder

This isn’t going how you thought it would, huh [….]

You don’t want to go or don’t want your family to go, then simply don’t go. It’s simple as that.

It’s a beautiful thing watching bigots trip over each other trying to out-bigot the other.

My earnest hope and desire is that this post has, and will continue to, open the eyes of the community of Warrensburg to the extreme danger that activities like the drag show presents to the children. This thread has been filled with hateful, ungodly, rhetoric that is scary, to say the least. This invasion is not going to go away on it’s own. YOU, good people of Warrensburg, MO, and surrounding areas, are going to have to fight against it! Don’t hide in your comfort zone; don’t be afraid that somebody is going to talk mean to you with lies and unfounded insults. Get up and fight against the menace that wants to infiltrate and steal your children from the good and hopeful life you are trying to create for them. If you don’t, you will regret it.

Imagine being this stupid, and thinking “I’m not stupid”

Dunning-Kruger Effect.

Thanks for advertising this! Looks like a fun event!

Get over it, crybaby

Previously:

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 26, 2021 (June 26, 2021)

Local busybodies engage in pearl clutching (June 3, 2022)

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ.” (June 4, 2022)

Pride Festival – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 4, 2022 (June 4, 2022)

The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 19, 2023)

Always the other (April 21, 2023)

Meta – The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 22, 2023)

Unified Field Theory of Right Wingnut Pearl Clutching, Self-Righteousness, and Victimhood (April 22, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 (April 25, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 – part 2 (April 26, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 2 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 3 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 4 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 5 (May 10, 2023)

Living in a self-imposed cultural vacuum (May 10, 2023)

A downward spiral…of pearl clutching (May 25, 2023)

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 3, 2023 – Returning to Family Friendly Format (May 26, 2023)

Thoughts and… (May 27, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 5

10 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bigotry, bigots, City Council, drag show, LGBTQIA+, missouri, Pride Festival, Warrensburg

“…either everyone is welcome in Warrensburg, or no one is…”

A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is still up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022.

These right wingnut busybodies had organized on-line to present a petition to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of the City Council’s evening meeting on April 24th to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival.

The pearl clutching busybodies returned to Monday night’s City Council to demand an ordinance banning drag shows in Warrensburg, this time with photos on posterboard. In the period between the two council meetings the producers of the Pride Festival had already changed the festival format to 18 years of age and older due to reported threats against the festival and the venue. A similar group of LGBTQIA+ allies attended and signed in to speak in support of the Pride Festival and against a city ordinance.

More of the public comments:

…Again, thank you for allowing me to speak today. I’ll try to keep it short this time, I wrote this stuff down. Um, we’ve heard a lot of talk about safety and protecting children. But, I, I have to ask, does that include my kids? Are you gonna protect my kids when they get harassed for being gay, walking down the street. Because that does happen.

I want to make a point that making it 18+ is not an admittance that it was wrong or something inappropriate was happening. This means that the people who put it on took into account the threats they were receiving and decided to make it a, a decision basically out of safety.

Um, I would encourage the council to reach out to those businesses, publicize a point of contact to those businesses to contact you to know how they were being harassed, how they were being threatened.

Um, basically in my opinion a ban is a solution in search of a problem. We don’t have an epidemic of drag shows happening in this town. And so, I don’t know why a ban would be really necessary.

We even considered, uh, organizing an LGBTQ family event, just for families, not including any drag performers. And even when we were considering that we thought, what about the safety of the families attending. I think that says something when we are concerned about families just getting together being threatened.

Um, last I would say, either everyone is welcome in Warrensburg, or no one is.

Thank you.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker15.mp3
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…Everyone here today is talking about the children. And, you know, as the person who is my dad just spoke, I am, actually, one of these children. I used to be. Three years ago I was in Warrensburg High School. This place, I have never felt, less safe.

I grew up here, born and raised here.

When I found out that I went to UCM I almost cried because of the safety that I didn’t ever really feel in this community.

In high school people said heinous phrases to insult me just for being LGBTQ. People would shout ‘faggot’ towards me. People would shout slurs in my direction. I even had people tell me that they hope I got raped by my dad.

I have never felt more suicidal than homophobic people speaking against the rights of me and my siblings. The only places I have ever felt safe in Warrensburg, from even just walking down the street, has been the Pride events in Warrensburg.

These pride events are really important for children to experience because in high school they are not safe. They do not feel safe. LGBTQ kids feel like they have no community. And Pride is that sense of community.

I know people have said they’ve been worried about the drag shows and have showed images. I, trust me, you can see worse images if you go to a public pool. These public pools, we’re not showing ordinances against those. And this is because it’s not an LGBTQ event.

They’re not attacking us because it is not a sexually exploitive experience, it is because they are LGBTQ.

People talk about the agenda, people in the audience have said this, this is just because it’s LGBTQ people.

There are kids, including my siblings, who are the positions that I was in, who cannot access Pride anymore. And LGBTQ kids, just like me, are afraid to speak up.

The only thing this proposed ordinance would protect children from is their own self-expression. Please, if you care about people like me, do not pass this ordinance.

Thank you.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker16.mp3
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…back in the day I was a tour director. And I took conventions, conferences, and tours to places like Miami, New York City, Chicago, uh, Seattle, Phoenix, Las Vegas. A few years after that I taught on post at a military base. And I have seen all of the clubs that are on the outside gates of the military base.

I can pretty much, with assurance, state that what we had last year at Pride was none of the above. It was very family friendly and we should be very comfortable with NClusion Plus. They took great care of the kids that came to see them.

In the state of Missouri it is legal for a parent to give permission for a child under the age of 16 to marry. In the state of Missouri it is legal to force a child who has been raped to bear a child.

Think about that.

I am extremely concerned that because the words perversion, yad, yada, yada, etcetera, whatever, are getting thrown around we are mistaking human sexuality for an imaginary problem.

Grooming happens within a trust relationship. Those trust relationships are mostly really close to home. It’s the pastor, it’s the athletic coach, it’s the caretaker, it’s the babysitter.

It doesn’t happen in a one-hour or two-hour show.

We have had somewhere around six hundred years of common reading available. And in that time we have managed to read the bible, all manner of western civilization literature and it has not gotten rid of gayness.

They’re not going away.

Two hours at a kid friendly drag show, make those, outlaw those? That’s Robin Williams. That’s Bob Hope. [laughter] Yeah.

We just had a proclamation in this chamber a couple of months ago supporting the LGBTQIA community. In the city of Warrensburg we declared ourselves a welcoming community.

I don’t care how you raise your children. You do not have the right to tell anyone else how to raise theirs.

And the city of Warrensburg has followed their processes, yes ma’am….

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker17.mp3
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…I’ve been a member of the Warrensburg community for thirty years. And I stand firm when I say that I stand to protect children. Allowing those children, 18 an under, to attend any type of adult entertainment, including a drag show is unacceptable. It doesn’t matter if they are the children or family of the performers or participants.

State laws that prohibit this are there to protect the children in our community.

In this community there seems to be some question whether the state laws in place should be enforced locally.

I would like a municipal ordinance put in place to codify that no one under 18 be allowed to drag shows or any other adult entertainment within city limits.

Thank you.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker18.mp3
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“…State laws that prohibit this are there…”

“…there seems to be some question whether the state laws in place should be enforced locally…”

Rick Brattin (r) and Denny Hoskins (r) are the pre-eminent legal scholars and final arbiters of the law in the State of Missouri, said no one ever.

…Um, we’ve talked a lot about rights. And what I realize, I think, anyway, what I realize is there was no vote taken about having a drag queen show in the Warrensburg area. It just appeared. So anybody who didn’t particularly want it really never even got to have a vote about that.

So now, belatedly, we’re coming forward and saying we don’t want that for children. We simply don’t want it for children.

[….]

The bottom line is that drag queen exposure for kids just helps confuse them. And it’s a mean trick. It obvious, it, I mean, it is. If somebody had thrown that in my face when I was a kid I probably would have run out screaming. And that’s the truth. I would have started crying and run away.

Um, it’s, it’s not fair. It is just not a fair thing to do to children. It mixes them up, it confuses them.

So, I do also request that the city do, uh, a municipal ordinance to ban drag queen shows for children, for children. Let’s not mix them up anymore. Life’s hard enough. Thanks.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker19.mp3
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“…what I realize is there was no vote taken about having a drag queen show in the Warrensburg area….”

There were no votes taken about which pizza toppings to order…in the Warrensburg area. There were no votes taken about what day we can wax our cars…in the Warrensburg area. There were no votes taken about which doctor’s office we can visit…in the Warrensburg area.

“…It just appeared….” Immaculately.

“…So anybody who didn’t particularly want it really never even got to have a vote about that…”

And no one really never even got to have a vote about which movies appear at the local theater. Fancy that.

Bugs Bunny?

…I, too, have been a resident of this town for fifty years. Quite some time. [….] However, I also have worked for the city of Warrensburg, as a dispatcher, a law enforcement officer, and in Johnson County as a law enforcement officer investigating child abuse and personal crimes.

During that point in time I never, in my investigation of child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, child emotional abuse, ever spoke to a drag queen. I spoke to pastors, I spoke to friends, I spoke to family. I spoke to two little girls whose father committed suicide because it was disclosed that he had been sexually abusing the older daughter. Never a drag queen.

We’ve heard talk of grooming [….] and I believe this was brought to your attention just a few minutes ago as well, that there are several steps to grooming a child to the point that they can be sexually abused. It includes gaining trust and access, playing a role in the child’s life, isolating the child, creating secrecy around this relationship, initiating sexual contact, and controlling this relationship. It does not happen, again, as been mentioned, in a one hour drag show.

It doesn’t happen.

If people want to talk to others about protecting children maybe this needs to be taken to the schools, maybe this needs to be taken to the churches, maybe this needs to be a community project with parents and caregivers in the city of Warrensburg.

I’m not a religious person, but I will finish with this. Matthew 7-1, the new living translation, do not judge others and you will not be judged. Verse 2, you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

I’d also like to say [turning to gallery], so many times I cannot hear the words of love that you are professing, because your actions are too loud.

Thank you.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker20.mp3
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Previously:

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 26, 2021 (June 26, 2021)

Local busybodies engage in pearl clutching (June 3, 2022)

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ.” (June 4, 2022)

Pride Festival – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 4, 2022 (June 4, 2022)

The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 19, 2023)

Always the other (April 21, 2023)

Meta – The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 22, 2023)

Unified Field Theory of Right Wingnut Pearl Clutching, Self-Righteousness, and Victimhood (April 22, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 (April 25, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 – part 2 (April 26, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 2 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 3 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 4 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 4

09 Tuesday May 2023

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Bigotry, bigots, City Council, drag show, LGBTQIA+, missouri, Pride Festival, Warrensburg

A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is still up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022.

These right wingnut busybodies had organized on-line to present a petition to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of the City Council’s evening meeting on April 24th to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival.

The pearl clutching busybodies returned to last night’s City Council to demand an ordinance banning drag shows in Warrensburg, this time with photos on posterboard. In the period between the two council meetings the producers of the Pride Festival had already changed the festival format to 18 years of age and older due to reported threats against the festival and the venue. A similar group of LGBTQIA+ allies attended and signed in to speak in support of the Pride Festival and against a city ordinance.

So, I am a registered nurse, I graduated UCM and then, um, I have a medical degree from Japan. I’m a psychiatrist. And as a psychiatrist my concern is LGBTQ youth suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of youth. In 2019 19% of youth considered to attempt suicide. And 77% of them are LGBTQIA+ community. [….] In 2020, nationwide, 73% of LGBTQIA+ youth experienced discrimination, based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. And 45% considered suicide and 14% attempted suicide. In Missouri, its numbers are about the same.

So, it was noticed by U.S. government, long time ago, twenty years ago, the U.S. government had this program, plan, to reduce LGBTQIA+ youth suicide with, you know, decrease the number of people committing suicide. So, many researchers are done research and they found a risk factor is stigmatizing, stigmatizing is for who they are. And the youth feel isolation, feeling of being a burden to people, and negative school, like bullying. And they also find there’s a positive protective factor which is support from school, family, community.

So, I’m a scientist. I know we like to divide things in groups. But humans […] inside, outside, doesn’t match, that don’t match. [,,,] They are born to be that way.

I have been to the Pride Festival, twice, two years, two years ago and last year. And the significant thing I, touched my heart, there was many young people wrapping themselves with the pride flag, holding their hands, they, their face were peaceful. Then I, I realized this is what they need. They need to feel they’re okay to exist. Most of this, I’ve been there, most of the performer, they’ve been through discrimination. They are not professionals, they have their day job, they do this part time. They’re trying to tell young people it’s okay to be who they are.

So, as we talk about the safety of children as a community we have to provide safe environment for the children to keep them. Thank you.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker9.mp3
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…We have, uh, gone to the drag shows, as she said. I didn’t see anything that would, uh, indicate a violation of any of the laws that were mentioned. We thought it was a friendly, uh, and, uh, supportive event, as my wife said. We’ve raised five kids. We feel that we can make decisions about what events our children should attend. Input from other people is not needed, and frankly, not welcome.

Last time I was here I mentioned that I thought there was an economic issue, with the economic health of Warrensburg. That if we discourage people from holding a variety of events that, uh, has a negative impact on Warrensburg. And since that time we’ve seen that the, uh, Pride Fest that was planned is now limited to adults. Guess what that means? That means there are people who would have been in Warrensburg, frequenting businesses, spending money that, that day, who will not be. If the sort of ordinance that’s being supported were to be passed that would mean, uh, in the future, uh, there will be people who otherwise might have come to Warrensburg who will not.

Not just for that particular event, but because they see Warrensburg as a place that is not welcoming to them.

So, my thought is, let’s be careful about the decisions we make where we try to legislate morality for other people because those decisions may well come back to bite us economically. Thank you for your attention.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker10.mp3
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When we moved here, almost two years ago, I thought I lived in Warrensburg [….] We are kind of here, hearing a lot of opinions about a lot of stuff, but I think the thing that strikes me most is that there are laws in this country for a reason to protect children. Children don’t process things well as youth. They have to grow and mature. And, until in this nation have been identified as roughly eighteen years of age, some twenty-one, depends on what it is, they are not allowed to make or partake in situations which you’ve heard about here tonight [….]

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker11.mp3
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Except you’ll make the parenting decisions for someone else’s kids. Because?

Explain the differences among the 1st Amendment, the 2nd Amendment, and the 14th amendment. We’ll wait.

So, I work here in Warrensburg. I’m the mother of six and I’m very concerned about having kids in our community attend drag shows. It’s never appropriate for kids to attend these type of events. I understand the event in June is now an adults only event, but my continued concern is for next year. We will need the city council to stand up and make it clear where they stand. Protect our children. A munici, a municipal ordinance would accomplish this. I want to thank Missouri senator Rick Brattin [r]…

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker12.mp3
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“…It’s never appropriate for kids to attend these type of events…” You attended? If not, how would you know? But you still get to decide for everyone else? Because?

Rick Brattin (r) is the pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the law in the State of Missouri, said no one ever.

The NClusion drag queen venue is sexually explicit adult entertainment. I think we’d all agree about that. Adult entertainment should be for mature audiences only. Drag queens are female impersonators who’s venue can sexually exploit children with their indoctrination about adult sexuality and sexual orientation.

[….]

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker13.mp3
.
“…I think we’d all agree about that…” Uh, no. You might have noticed other speakers two weeks ago and at this city council meeting, right?

Because they’re so credible?:

“Faux News channel, fascist groupies” – protest sign, circa 2003- 2004.

…I want to start off by reminding everyone here that our children are our future. They are our heritage. God states in his words that every child is a gift and every child is a reward.

We live in a society where our children are constantly being told they have to believe a particular way, otherwise they are wrong or perhaps they are a bad person or even a hater.

Some would argue that we here today, we might be haters, fearmongers, or the dreaded homophobics because we don’t bow down and agree to the senseless immoral, perverted, corrupt garbage that is being thrown around and forced on us.

We, in fact, we embrace the right to choose. We’re speaking on behalf of the children. We also embrace reality. Normal moral and ethical living. Living is right, living right is not rocket science, it’s common sense. And like the most of us in this room I think we’re strong in that part. [….]

We are here as a group of citizens. We are committed to standing for the voiceless, our children, the ones who don’t have a voice in these days.

We aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, no matter what names, titles, or ridiculous ideologies others may speak against us or throw our direction. We are fully aware who we are through god who created us.

We are looking for solutions and so that’s where you all come in. We want safeguards put in place. We want accountability where there should be accountability. We want our children protected against EXPLOTATION.

We don’t come with a lot of feel good stories about our experiences with last year’s drag queen show. However, we did come with evidence that they are being exploited.

Photos of minor children at last year’s event were handed to you last, at the last meeting as well.

We want our children protected from an agenda that is hell bent on grooming our children. We want our children’s minds and their lives protected in these very vulnerable years.

[….]

We are committed to standing strong until this battle is won, until we see action from you on behalf our minors. We want to see an ordinance. We’re not going away, guys.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker14.mp3
.
“…We live in a society where our children are constantly being told they have to believe a particular way, otherwise they are wrong or perhaps they are a bad person or even a hater…” Wait, isn’t that an argument against organized religion?

“…Some would argue that we here today, we might be haters…” Okay. If the shoe fits…

“…the dreaded homophobics…” Weren’t they a punk band in the 80s Waukesha music scene? Maybe not.

“..the senseless immoral, perverted, corrupt garbage that is being thrown around and forced on us…” That’s a whole lot to unpack there.

“…we embrace the right to choose…” Irony challenged. Definitely.

“…However, we did come with evidence that they are being exploited…” Evidently not.

You can feel all the love.

Previously:

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 26, 2021 (June 26, 2021)

Local busybodies engage in pearl clutching (June 3, 2022)

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ.” (June 4, 2022)

Pride Festival – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 4, 2022 (June 4, 2022)

The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 19, 2023)

Always the other (April 21, 2023)

Meta – The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 22, 2023)

Unified Field Theory of Right Wingnut Pearl Clutching, Self-Righteousness, and Victimhood (April 22, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 (April 25, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 – part 2 (April 26, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 2 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 3 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 3

09 Tuesday May 2023

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri Senate

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Bigotry, bigots, Denny Hoskins, drag show, Fascist pigs, Missouri Senate, pearl clutchers, Rick Brattin, right wingnuts, Warrensburg, WTF?

Rick Brattin (r) and Denny Hoskins (r) are the pre-eminent legal scholars and final arbiters of the law in the State of Missouri, said no one ever.

Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].

Denny Hoskins (r) [2017 file photo].

A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is still up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022.

These right wingnut busybodies had organized on-line to present a petition to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of the City Council’s evening meeting on April 24th to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival.

The pearl clutching busybodies returned to last night’s City Council to demand an ordinance banning drag shows in Warrensburg, this time with photos on posterboard. In the period between the two council meetings the producers of the Pride Festival had already changed the festival format to 18 years of age and older due to reported threats against the festival and the venue. A similar group of LGBTQIA+ allies attended and signed in to speak in support of the Pride Festival and against a city ordinance.

At last night’s meeting several of the busybodies made reference to a letter from Rick Brattin (r) addressed to the Warrensburg Police Department dated April 21, 2023. At the end of the meeting we requested a copy of the letter from the city. Denny Hoskins (r) also signed the letter.

…It has recently come to my attention that the “Warrensburg Pride Festival” program is scheduled for Saturday, June 3…in Warrensburg, Missouri. This is troubling for several reasons. First, the show is advertised as “family-friendly” and for guests “of all ages.” The event promotion includes no warning for “adult content” whatsoever for these drag shows that event organizers deem “family friendly.” A simple internet [sic] of similar shows reveals the content of such events is, at best, inappropriate for all ages and, at worst, highly sexualized and wholly unsuitable for children.

In fact, reports of these shows are so obscene and indecent that listing them in this letter would be unsuitable as it may be read minors. There can be no reasonable doubt that the good people of Warrensburg would be appalled by the behavior on display at these types of events, especially considering this behavior is being actively marketed to their children in apparent hopes they would become desensitized to such tasteless activities, and as a result, become sexualized at a young age. Not only are these shows immoral, but they are also illegal under Missouri State statute…

…It is abundantly clear that drag shows violate the existing Missouri State Statute, and it is time for them to be dealt accordingly. When I became a Marine, I swore an oath to the Constitution, and that oath never expires. Our Federal and State Constitutions share a common thread: all of us, whether elected officials or law enforcement officers, have a duty to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Our most precious resource, our children, is under attack, and it is time that we engage with those who harm them by destroying their hearts and minds.

I call on my fellow patriots with the Warrensburg Police Department to put a stop to this behavior and enforce Missouri’s existing laws. These types of events must be stopped, and the businesses that facilitate these events must be punished. We must also deal with these “drag queens” who are just men with perverted intentions, in accordance with exiting state law. I know these battles are not easy, but I want Chief Munsterman, and every member of the Warrensburg Police Department to know that I will…

…have your back. Not only will I have your back, but I am willing to stand alongside you as you protect our community.

I want to close out this letter by thanking the Warrensburg Police Department for all that you do. You deal with the madness of society so the rest of us can go home each night and enjoy our families in peace. Thank you, and God bless you.

Respectfully,
s/
Rick Brattin
[….]

s/
Denny Hoskins
[….]

Letter from Rick Brattin (r) and Denny Hoskins (r) to the Warrensburg Police

The only thing that’s actually obscene in this entire episode is this letter.

Previously:

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 26, 2021 (June 26, 2021)

Local busybodies engage in pearl clutching (June 3, 2022)

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ.” (June 4, 2022)

Pride Festival – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 4, 2022 (June 4, 2022)

The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 19, 2023)

Always the other (April 21, 2023)

Meta – The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 22, 2023)

Unified Field Theory of Right Wingnut Pearl Clutching, Self-Righteousness, and Victimhood (April 22, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 (April 25, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 – part 2 (April 26, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 2 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023

09 Tuesday May 2023

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Bigotry, bigots, City Council, LGBTQIA+, missouri, pearl clutching, Pride Festival, Warresnburg

“…[turning to the gallery] So many times I cannot hear the words of love you are professing because your actions are too loud…”

A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is still up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022.

These right wingnut busybodies had organized on-line to present a petition to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of the City Council’s evening meeting on April 24th to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival.

The pearl clutching busybodies returned to last night’s City Council to demand an ordinance banning drag shows in Warrensburg, this time with photos on posterboard. In the period between the two council meetings the producers of the Pride Festival had already changed the festival format to 18 years of age and older due to reported threats against the festival and the venue. A similar group of LGBTQIA+ allies attended and signed in to speak in support of the Pride Festival and against a city ordinance.

This time there were about fifty individuals in the city council chamber gallery.

The portion of the meeting for public comment was again prefaced by a brief explanation of the ground rules. Individuals who signed up for public comment were allotted three minutes, with a city official acting as the timer. Speakers were asked to state their name and address. Some did, some didn’t.

==========
Update:

The series.

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 2 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 3 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 4 (May 9, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council Meeting – May 8, 2023 – part 5 (May 10, 2023)
==========

The first speaker was on the meeting agenda.

…I appreciate the chance to speak to you as a city council. I am a Johnson County central committee [political party] member, a wife, a mother, a grandma, a christian, and a very concerned citizen of Johnson County. Let me ask you a few questions. Do you want Warrensburg to be known as a safe community for families and children? [….] But are we really thinking about the long-term consequences of allowing drag shows and their perversion into our town. Uh. how important is the safety of our kids’ souls? I’m a mom and a teacher so I am very in tune with children. If you’re not thinking about long-term, how this would affect our community, I would encourage you to do that. You’ve been entrusted to protect Warrensburg citizens and provide day-to-day public service. This includes protecting our children and I understand that you are in a challenging position. But now you have a chance a decision that will impact children and generations of young people for years to come and our community. I am requesting that you as the city council would consider two points today. One, to protect the children. And, two, I’m requesting a city ordinance to ban all drag queen shows to protect the children, now and in the future, and all public areas, libraries included. Missouri senator Rick Brattin [r], District 31, sent a letter to the Warrensburg chief of police and the police department April the 21st, sharing several Missouri laws that prohibit these activities. And to be truthful, I didn’t even know there were this many laws against sexual, uh, deviance with children. But I am, uh, now understanding that there are Missouri laws, there’s federal laws [….] And I really do propose that having these drag queen shows in our community is illegal and it does psychological damage to our children. It’s known as grooming. And as you can see with these signs [posters], uh, this is pictures from last year’s drag show here in Warrensburg [….] Uh, they have drag queens that are stripping in front of children. I get chills just thinking about this. I cannot believe this is where we are at in our society. So I am encouraging you guys to stand strong, don’t cave into political pressure. But, where would this ever be okay, to strip in front of children? Thank you.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker1.mp3
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Sure. “…ban all drag queen shows…”

Rick Brattin (r) is the pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the law in the State of Missouri, said no one ever.

Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].

Stripping? Uh, you do know what drag actually is, right?

“…I cannot believe this is where we are at in our society…” Ditto, but for much different reasons.

The busybodies had more individuals who signed up to speak, and they were, for the most part, at the top of the sign-up list.

…So, I know a lot of people…So, my purpose in telling you all that is to let you all know I know a lot of people around town. Uh, and since the last city council meeting two weeks ago I have been approached by a lot of citizens who were made aware of the drag show from the article in the paper. Um, they didn’t know about the all ages drag show until that information came out. A hundred percent of the people I spoke to were absolutely against a drag show for kids. Now, while I don’t mean that as any threat, I do mean to report that many of them said that the council was to allow this drag show for kids to continue they would certainly remember that come the next election. From what I learned the silent majority is not gonna remain silent on this issue. So, I want to make it clear to the council that when people spoke at the last council meeting it was misinterpreted that we were against the drag show. That’s not true. Personally, I have nothing against someone performing for adults. But, when you consider the age of the kids, please keep in mind I can’t send my underage kids to buy alcohol, they can’t buy cigarettes, they can’t drive, and they sure can’t attend an R rated movie. All these rules put in place to protect the kids. So why should an all ages drag show be any different? In closing my recommendation to this council would be to implement an ordinance against allowing an all ages drag show in the future. If people want a drag show for kids they can do that in the privacy of their own home. Thank you very much.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker2.mp3
(audio edited)
.
The plural of anecdote is not data. And, if you don’t live within the city limits you don’t get to vote in city council elections.

“…while I don’t mean that as any threat..” Yes, yes you do.

“…So, I want to make it clear to the council that when people spoke at the last council meeting it was misinterpreted that we were against the drag show…” Uh, no, that was quite clear.

Missouri has graduated drivers license starting at age 15, when accompanied by a parent.

A rated movie? A parent or guardian can accompany their child to a movie.

“,..If people want a drag show for kids they can do that in the privacy of their own home…” You mean like on private property? Interesting. Wait, if you really believe it’s illegal then it’s illegal everywhere.

…I was thankful to learn that the drag show scheduled for June 3rd is now an eighteen and over only event. I wish their decision to limit the event to adults could be the end of this affair. I’m sure you all hope for the same thing. It is clear from their statement that they intend to try again in the future to bring an all ages event back to Warrensburg. I never again want to see photos of children in our community holding up dollars for drag queens like patrons at a strip club posted on social media. More importantly, I want to insure that the children of our city are never exposed to such environments in the first place. And I know that I’m not alone in that hope. In speaking with our state senator, Rick Brattin [r][…] I urge you to act quickly. Doing so will add additional support to our great police. And, most importantly, protect the children of Warrensburg and surrounding communities from these highly sexualized and inappropriate performances in the future…

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker3.mp3
.
“…I wish their decision to limit the event to adults could be the end of this affair…” Well?

“…holding up dollars…” Never heard of tips? Busking?

“…like patrons at a strip club…” How would anyone know?

Again, Rick Brattin (r) is the pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the law in the State of Missouri, said no one ever.

…Judge righteously…

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker4.mp3
.
Well?

…My husband and I are new to the area. And, um, you could only imagine my shock and dismay at learning that the past two years there’s been a drag queen performance that included children, um, being invited to it, encouraged to come to it. Uh, advertised as being appropriate for children and families. I couldn’t disagree with something like that more…

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker5.mp3
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“…you could only imagine my shock and dismay…” Don’t need to. You’re telling us.

“…advertised as being appropriate for children and families…” And it was.

“…I couldn’t disagree with something like that more…” Yet you weren’t there because, you know, you’re new to the area.

Maybe ask for an ordinance where you actually live? Just to see how that works.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker6.mp3
(personal information omitted)
.

…So I guess we’re quoting the bible. But, I don’t know if we’re paying attention to them ten commandments where it tells you not to bear false witness. Lady stood up here, at least she didn’t call me pedophile this time, that said that there was stripping going on. None of the performers took off any clothes. I understand you, you folks in the audience, look at those pictures and say, oh that’s terrible, I don’t want that for my child. I would again tell you, not your child, I think it should be legal.

But it doesn’t matter because we had some people with guns make threats. People talking about building bombs, blowing up the Elks. So we have decided to make it, what the folks here said was gonna be okay with them, just a pride event, a drag show with no kids, eighteen and over. But yet we’re still here talking about it.

Thank you very much.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker7.mp3
.

…I thought I wouldn’t be here today because I thought that the goal from last time was to have an adults only drag show. And because of concerns about the safety of performers and attendees that’s what’s happening now.

Um, I’ve heard a lot about biblical reasons not to have drag shows. Um, the legal reasons I’m a little iffier on. [….]

One of my biggest concerns about the bible being used is, um, as a legal argument, is a phrase that was recently used about the issue, that says, I don’t think we have the command to kill anyone. I hope that nobody thinks that the bible has told them that they need to kill people who are supporting our LGBTQ people. Um, and I’d hope that we’d move on to something that is actually harmful to kids.[….]

What bothers me more than anything else in this is that LBGTQ young people are four times more likely to attempt suicide. And these are the children who deserve to be proud of who they are. Because I was raised to believe that god made me who I am. And I cannot imagine that same god wants me to kill myself because people in my community can’t accept who I am. Thank you.

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WbgCityCouncilDragShowSpeaker8.mp3
.

Previously:

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 26, 2021 (June 26, 2021)

Local busybodies engage in pearl clutching (June 3, 2022)

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ.” (June 4, 2022)

Pride Festival – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 4, 2022 (June 4, 2022)

The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 19, 2023)

Always the other (April 21, 2023)

Meta – The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 22, 2023)

Unified Field Theory of Right Wingnut Pearl Clutching, Self-Righteousness, and Victimhood (April 22, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 (April 25, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 – part 2 (April 26, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 – part 2

26 Wednesday Apr 2023

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Bigotry, bigots, City Council, LGBTQIA+, missouri, pearl clutching, Pride Festival, Warrenburg

“…I am a person. I think that’s what we’re down to here, an issue of people. And we’re forgetting that we are people…”

A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022.

These right wingnut busybodies organized on-line to present a petition to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of Monday night’s meeting to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival.

Over 100 individuals crowded into the city council chamber.

The portion of the meeting for public comment was prefaced by an explanation of the ground rules. The city council was there to listen, but would not comment nor respond to questions. Individuals who signed up for public comment were allotted three minutes, with a city official acting as the timer. This worked well, with one glaring exception. Speakers were asked to state their name and address.

…I’ve been to drag shows before. I went to one last year. Been to Pride festivals, never saw any sort of child abuse going on.

I respect their rights to come and protest that if they want, that’s their choice. But that’s why we’re here.

Rather what I saw going on there and what my family saw going on there was messages of empowerment and joy…

…I just wanted to say I have attended one of these drag shows in Warrensburg with several of my family. I’m a thirty-three year resident of Warrensburg, I’m married, we have five children together, four who are adults.

The drag show was quite enjoyable. I did not see anything objectionable from my point of view. I did not see any potential for harm to anybody. There were some people who were wearing nice clothing. There were people wearing makeup. They lip-synched. Some of them did quite a good job, some of them did okay. [laughter] We all enjoyed it.

The additional point that I just wanted to bring up is that I believe it’s in the economic interest of Warrensburg to support a diversity of events to which people with different interests feel welcome to attend. And to the extent we don’t do that I think it contributes to an image problem that can only hurt the city economically.

So I support Warrensburg being open to holding a variety of events for people with a variety of preferences and interests.

Thank you.

…I’ve lived here in Warrensburg for eleven years I think now…I have never been this disappointed in our elected officials in this country as I am standing here today. I remember years ago it was common, it was a very common to hear the phrase it takes a village to raise a child. And there was a time that we knew as a country that we knew we were working as a united team. The parents, our extended families, our church family, and of course, our government supporting the traditional family and the ideas attached.

Sadly, our villages are broken. Families are divided. Our schools are busy trying to be politically correct. And all the while trying to convince our youth that America’s moral ground has shifted.

The saddest, most pathetic part of all of this is that our churches have forgotten their own role, in not just the family, but in our nation.

Then there’s the smaller government such as city boards, school boards that continually change the rules, that despite all the logic and moral facts that would negate their divisive changes and actions. So, I find myself in front of one of those smaller governments. And, let’s face it, you all need a gentle reminder every now and then that you do represent we the people.

And many of these people are too young and, and they have a voice that is just not heard so we have to be their voice. I do attend church and I am fully aware that [inaudible]. And even though my kids are grown I can tell you this, my job has not ended.

The majority who didn’t get out and vote who are represented here through myself and in people in this room today do not want this mislabeled immoral cabaret event in our county. Honestly, we don’t want it anywhere.

We can clearly see, this is the national consensus, all you have to do is look at the bills that are currently waiting for amending and vote [….] and Tennessee just passed anti-drag queen legislation, Ohio did as well.

Here we are relying on you to make a fair, sound, moral, ethical assessment and judgment based on the following facts, all the while remembering you are the voice of we the people. And that includes our children.

And do, I don’t know if any of you know the definition of pedophilia, but I’m gonna share it with you [inaudible] the dictionary. [voice: “So now I’m a pedophile?”] Pedophilia is a psychiatric disorder [….] [timer: “Fifteen seconds.”] …So, they are attracted to these age groups. Now, knowing this, what part of a performance begins with a goal of a man dressing as a woman [timer: “Time.”], putting on makeup [voice: “Ma’am, that’s the expiration of your time.”] and strapping on body parts and dancing provocatively. And by the way, you all have a picture…[shouting][gavel]

Silent majority? That’s not how this all works.

Tennessee? Ohio? Uh, we’re in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Rules. How Ironic.

—–
https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/WbgMoCityCouncilDragShowExcerpt042423.mp3
—–

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…

Is this a great country, or what?

…I am a Silver-haired Representative for Pettis County, retired Air Force, and I’ve been to both of the previous Pride events. As a Silver-haired representative I’m a required reporter as well. And there was never any occurrence in which I felt a need to call Social Services.

What I did see was love and inclusion, which is sorely lacking in today’s society. Ones what I think we’re supposed to be trying and do better for our children, and by showing the good in everyone.

So, the pride is just that…

…I come to you tonight as a white woman, speaking from the Christian faith. And my concern goes back to pledging allegiance a little earlier tonight and the freedoms that we enjoy to congregate with those we want to. My faith tradition came in 1720 to Pennsylvania, persecuted in Germany. If you baptized an adult you were killed. And so they came here seeking religious freedom. Freedom we enjoy today. To choose what church we want to attend, what community event we want to be part of. And I believe, tonight we are here for a much larger issue. And that is the freedoms we enjoy which are being threatened by persons who want to pinpoint one group.

And I want to share the importance of that in a quote by Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor, who spoke after Nazi Germany. And he said:

First they came for the Socialists. And I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade-unionists. And I didn’t speak out because I was not a Trade-unionist.

Then they came for the Jews. And I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me. And there was no one left to speak for me.

I think we need to take those words to heart tonight as we speak up for those who are on the margins of our society. I believe Jesus did that, as he gave me that example. I want us to love others and to lift up those on the margins in or community. And to celebrate the gift of God’s creation in each human being.

Thank you.

…I would just like to say, what exactly are we talking here? Kids like me? People who encourage them to be who they are? I don’t understand why a woman, pardon, a man in a dress is a problem if they want to wear a dress. I don’t understand. I, my rights are being threatened at the state level and yet we’re here worrying about this?…

…You’re not allowed to tell me what I can and cannot do just because, you, your religion or beliefs say it. I have my own beliefs. I am a person. I think that’s what we’re down to here, an issue of people. And we’re forgetting that we are people.

Thank you.

Previously:

Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 26, 2021 (June 26, 2021)

Local busybodies engage in pearl clutching (June 3, 2022)

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ.” (June 4, 2022)

Pride Festival – Warrensburg, Missouri – June 4, 2022 (June 4, 2022)

What gives you the mistaken impression that we give a fuck about what you think? Part the infinity… (November 21, 2022)

The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 19, 2023)

Always the other (April 21, 2023)

Meta – The pearl clutching right wingnut bigots among us (April 22, 2023)

Unified Field Theory of Right Wingnut Pearl Clutching, Self-Righteousness, and Victimhood (April 22, 2023)

Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023 (April 25, 2023)

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