Why NC Pride group isn’t worried about Union County’s new public park event ban
Union County Pride plans to continue with its scheduled events despite a recent move by county commissioners that some critics argue targets LGBTQ+ gatherings.
Last week, Union County Commissioners voted to ban events deemed “obscene” or “sexualized,” in county-run parks. While the decision has sparked concerns it may be aimed at Pride events, Union County Pride President Cristal Robinson vowed that the group’s activities would proceed as planned.
Robinson, who is a civil rights attorney, said implying Pride events are banned as a result of the ordinance is “blatantly wrong,” and “salacious.” LGBTQ+ events are not inherently obscene, Robinson told The Charlotte Observer, and are protected by the First Amendment.
“We’ve been around since 2022 and every year they have a base of people that are pushing for no Pride or no drag,” Robinson said. “You don’t have to understand us. You just have to know that we do have the right to use governmental property as long as we’re using it correctly.”
The all-Republican commission approved the change unanimously on March 17 as part of the consent agenda with no discussion. Liz Cooper, communications director for Union County, said in an email the change was approved to ensure consistency with the county’s facility use policy passed last year.
The facility use policy prohibits activities that are “not age appropriate,” obscene content, and programming that may include illicit drugs, nudity, sexualized conduct or profanity.
She did not answer questions about how the changes could impact LGBTQ events such as Pride and drag shows. Union County commissioners have not responded to requests for comment by the Observer.
Some council members in the city of Monroe tried to take a similar approach to curb LGBTQ+ events.
At a March 18 meeting, council member David Dotson and Mayor Robert Burns urged the council to allow the city attorney to research and craft policies about “adult entertainment”.
“This effort aims to provide clear enforcement mechanisms to prevent drag shows and other performances deemed adult-oriented in settings where minors may be present,” Burns wrote in a memo to council members.
The council ultimately voted to discuss the issue at a later date in a closed session.
Pride OK not using Union County parks
Another reason the new policy won’t rain on Union County Pride’s parade: The group has no interest in holding an event at a county park.
Robinson said many of the county’s facilities aren’t suitable for their events. Crane Creek park has sidewalk space that raises concerns about protests. Jesse Helms park is named for a U.S. senator native to Monroe who voted for anti-LGBTQ legislation. Fred Kirby park is too small, Robinson said.
The group held an event last year at a park run by the town of Indian Trail, not the county, though it still faced backlash. Robinson said they were grilled by town council members about the event before being allowed to hold it at Chestnut Square Park. Indian Trail Mayor David Cohn told Union County Weekly the event was tense, and he was called a homophobic slur by a protester.
Robinson said Union County Pride is no stranger to pushback and efforts by conservative commissions to thwart LGBTQ+ events won’t work now.
“The City of Monroe and Union County keeps trying to prevent Union County Pride, Inc. to have events,” Robinson wrote in a statement to the Observer about the effort. “But the Bill of Rights protects everyone including people in the LGBTQIA community.”
Union County Pride hosts around six events each year, Robinson said. One of the next is the third annual Intersectional Dynamic Pride Conference at Atrium Health Union West on June 20.
