LGBTQ+ North Carolina activists and organizers are planning to protest at a Newton City Council meeting on “nasty” comments from residents and councillors and hostility towards planned pride celebrations in the town.Charlotte Observer Report.
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The LGBTQ+ Democrats of the Catawba County Organization have announced that they will be holding the city’s first pride celebration, the Newton Pride Takeover, which was held in the business district with the support of local merchants.
“The LGBTQ+ Democrats in Catawba County are officially announcing that Newton will be holding their first Pride Takeover event,” the group posted on Facebook on April 14th.
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Judging from the comments, the response to the news was overwhelmingly positive. However, some opposed the use of the word “takeover” in the event’s title, and opposed the event being organized by a local Democrat. “It doesn’t sound like a fascinating parade of love coming together for multiple businesses downtown,” wrote one commenter. “It sounds like a hostile democratic takeover instead.”
Newton City Council member John McClure left a comment indicating that he does not support the event or the transgender community. “I support my stance on trance and +,” he wrote. “What you and I like in our bedrooms should not be celebrated or forced in public places.”
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Mac Gregor Vanbeurden, president of Catawba County LGBTQ+ Democrats, described the negative reaction as “troubling” and picked out McClure for criticism.
“It’s really annoying and a lot of people who think it encouraged me. observer. “So we got a lot of hatred, a lot of bad comments, and our business started to get out of the event, some really serious things being said.
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Mayor Newton Jerry Hodge also chose McClure.
“One council member hasn’t spoken about the entire council. It may be perceived as an incident, but it’s not,” Hodge said. “We prepare to hold a civil meeting for the citizens…and we will hold a meeting within the realm of respect and dignity for everyone who speaks.”
In response to criticism and reporting of the threat against local businesses, the group has changed its name from Newton Pride Takeover to Newton Rainbow celebrations. The movement was announced in a post He also talks to social media about the hostility that forced change. This said the organization “bred light on deep-rooted hatred” from McClure and others in the community.
“I say that there has been a considerable backlash, but there is still more support and enthusiasm,” the group noted.
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The organization also noted that some local businesses are under death threats in supporting acquisition events.
“I would like to thank everyone who loved and supported us. Together, we will stand strong,” the group said. “But as safety in our community is our priority and we are even willing to pose a death threat to us, we must adapt and release this statement to update our communities.”
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McClure thanked the group for the change, while some disregarding the hostility of the original event.
“Obviously, I have never personally experienced the wave of hatred you’re referring to. I would like to rename the event and praise it for recognizing that there is a better place for this event,” McClure said. Reposted of the announcement.
Catawba County LGBTQ+ Democrats will protest negative reactions and comments and clarify the purpose of the Newton Rainbow Celebration at the upcoming council meeting, which will be held at 6pm on May 6th.
Newton is about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte and has a population of about 13,000 residents. The county is overwhelmingly Republican and has not voted for a democratic presidential candidate since 2000.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
