Representatives from the LGBTQ community spoke out in defense of Pride-themed events in Fairhope and Mobile during separate council meetings over the past two days.

In Mobile on Tuesday, no one spoke out against the LGBTQ community unlike last week’s meeting when speakers blasted Friday’s Pride-themed Art Walk event and urged the city to consider not sponsoring it.

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A mix of LGBTQ community supporters and opponents spoke before the council on Monday in Fairhope over Pride-themed events. At least one resident requested the council refuse issuing permits to any future events in which a drag queen performance would occur in front of children.

“I’m not too concerned about these protestors,” said Corey Harvard, executive director of Prism United, which hosted Pride events in Mobile and Fairhope. “We’ve extended invitations to have coffee with some of the folks who have expressed concerns, and I wished they would take us up on that and get to know us instead of acting on fear and paranoia on what we are doing.”

No public official spoke during either the Mobile or Fairhope council meetings, and there appears to be no movement to block future Pride-themed public events. Neither of the events in Fairhope or Mobile drew any public safety concerns, though the Color Fairhope with Pride celebration on June 3 attracted a group of about 20-40 protestors.

“Unless we see a reason to believe (preventing future events) will happen, I am trusting the city saw what an incredible turnout we had for Pride Art Walk,” Harvard said about the Mobile event that occurred on Friday.

Fairhope’s reaction

In Fairhope, some residents warned council members against allowing drag shows near children. The city is located along the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County. While the county is among the fastest growing in Alabama, it is also one of the most conservative where more than three-quarters of the county voters backed former President Donald Trump during the 2020 presidential election.

Fairhope John Elliott said it was time for council members to act in restricting future Pride-themed activities. He said he found it “very concerning to me as a citizen” that a drag show occurred on June 3, although that event was held at a private venue.

“I am not asking you to say people should dress or express themselves in a certain way,” Elliott said. “But this type of event where minor children is present, I am asking you not to permit those anymore.”

Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan told AL.com that the drag show “was held in a private business,” and the city was not required to issue a permit for it.

Two other residents, who claimed to be Washington State natives, warned Fairhope officials about the city deteriorating if children encounter drag queen shows and other forms of LGBTQ-themed entertainment.

“The problem … is these children are being brainwashed,” said Fairhope Rebecca Watson, a former resident of Washington State near Olympia, referring to her daughter’s middle school class in which “over 60 percent” were identified with one of the LGBTQ letters. “It’s a constant discussion with the teachers. They are fighting. It’s a war zone. If you don’t think that cannot happen here, you are wrong.”

Some Fairhope residents urged council members to continue with the status quo, and not prevent future Pride-themed activities.

“I know you’re dealing with a lot of cranks,” said Aubrey Wakeley of Fairhope. “I appreciate the clear-eyed response to the permitting request in the first place. I hope to see that continuing going forward. Refusing to permit based on the content of the speech in whatever venue is requested is categorically unconstitutional.”

Amanda Webb of Fairhope said she was concerned about a “small group out there harassing the mayor, the council and small businesses.” Some council members have said they have received emails and phone calls from residents urging them to stop Pride-theme events before they occurred on June 3.

“We, as Fairhope, have grown exponentially,” said Webb. Fairhope’s population estimate of 22,859 in 2022, represents a 6.2% growth over the 2020 U.S. Census figures, and a whopping 56% over the 2010 Census.

“We will have so many different people (moving to the city),” she said. “They need to know they are welcomed, no matter what.”

Mobile inclusivity

Rhoda Vanderhart of Mobile said inclusivity through Pride-themed events is important for cities that are competing for younger workers with cities like Nashville, Atlanta, and Houston.

She wrote a letter to the Mobile City Council saying that drag queen performances should not be viewed as threatening in a city where “children are exposed to women and men dressed in each other’s clothes at yearly Mardi Gras events.”

Vanderhart also said it was possible for people to attend Pride Art Walk without having to watch the drag show that occurred later that night in Cathedral Square in downtown Mobile.

“We need to have things like Pride Art Walk,” said Vanderhart. “Young people embrace the diversity of our world. They don’t want to live in a closed-minded and unwelcoming place to our fellow human beings.”

Bryan Fuenmayor, an LGBTQ activist in Mobile, said he was concerned about opponents to the Pride-themed Art Walk convincing city officials to change or limit future events. This year’s event marked the third annual Pride Art Walk in downtown Mobile.

“This event has a positive and uplifting effect on my community and Mobile in general,” Fuenmayor said. “It’s an event hat not only raises awareness of history and issues affecting my community but also speaks to the vast diversity of our city.”