A city council in central Washington has cut funding for Pizza Clutch, a program for LGBTQ youth. City councilors claimed the program indoctrinated “sensitive” young people into becoming gay or transgender.
The Ellensburg City Council adopted an amendment that would prohibit taxpayer funds from being used to finance the event, a program run in partnership with local LGBTQ nonprofit Helen House.
Held every week, pizza clutch We bring over 20 young people to Ellensburg High School and provide them with a safe space to gather and socialize over pizza during lunch. The program was previously funded by the city. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
This amendment was proposed by City Councilman Joshua Thompson in response to a presentation from the Committee on the 2025 Budget. The commission requested $10,000 in the 2025 budget, and the Pizza Clutch program was allocated $1,400 annually.
Conservative City Council members opposed the program, saying it could unfairly impact students because they identify as LGBTQ and may pursue gender transition if they identify as transgender. It was reported that there were claims that it could be harmful to students. daily records.
Mr. Thompson also objected to not requiring parental consent to participate in the program, which is open to all students. He said high school students are “very sensitive” and said he doesn’t think the city should be spending tax dollars on “something that can and has separated children from their parents.” .
Councilwoman Nancy Goodrow argued that the program would benefit the mental health of LGBTQ students. Councilwoman Sarah Beecham, the mother of a transgender child, argued the program was for kids to “hang out and develop friendships.” She rejected the idea that the program encourages non-LGBTQ children to identify as LGBTQ.
“We’re not going to make them transgender,” she said. “We’re not trying to make them gay by providing a place where they can come together and feel safe.”
Still, Thompson continued to call for defunding the program and proposed cutting the entire $1,400 amount from the DEI committee’s budget. The amendment ultimately failed by a 6-1 margin, the Yakima-based NBC affiliate reported. WND.
City Councilman Delano Palmer will allow the DEI Committee to operate the Pizza Clutch program, but will require permission from each student’s parent or guardian before students can participate in weekly pizza parties. He proposed another amendment. This amendment also failed on a 5-2 vote.
Finally, Councilwoman Nancy Lilquist proposed an amendment that would allocate $1,400 to other programs administered by the DEI Commission and would require Pizza Crutch to be funded using private revenue sources. . The amendment was approved on a 4-3 vote.
Steve Verhey, an Ellensburg resident who ran against Thompson in the 2023 election, criticized the defunding on Facebook.
“This is exactly why I am running against Joshua Thompson for City Council,” he wrote. “The city of Ellensburg doesn’t need homophobic evangelical Christians on the city council. I don’t understand how a majority of the council could support this, no matter how narrow.”
“I make no apologies,” Thompson posted on his Facebook page.
Verhey launched an online crowdfunding campaign gofundmeraised more than $3,500 through donations from local community members, nearly 2.5 times the amount needed to fund Pizza Clutch next year.
“In a move initiated by Ellensburg City Council newcomer Joshua Thompson, the city has cut funding for LGBTQ+ activities at Ellensburg High School from the city’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Commission budget,” Verhey said. wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“Meanwhile, the Ellensburg School District is currently negotiating a settlement or lawsuit with the Department of Justice over repeated incidents of bullying at EHS, particularly against LGBTQ+ students. Of course, bullying “It was probably carried out by children of area residents, including residents of Ellensburg,” the explanation continues. “This fundraiser is intended to replace funds that have been cut from our budget and allow us to continue our work and support our students.”
Verhey told WNDO that he hopes funding for the program doesn’t necessarily have to come from the public.
“We should have continued to receive funding from the city,” he said. “And after next year, this issue may be revisited.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
