North Brookfield, MA — The town of North Brookfield, rescinded a vote to allow a local pride celebration’s inclusion of drag performances, last week, citing adult entertainment zoning violations. Rural Justice Network, the organizers of the Small Town Pride Celebration intends to fight this decision.
At a meeting of the North Brookfield Selectboard on March 28, approval was granted to the Rural Justice Network to host a “Small Town Pride” event on the North Brookfield Town Common on June 24. The RJN’s request clearly stated that there would be a drag performance at the event. After a brief hearing the Selectboard voted 2-1 in favor of allowing the event.
At a meeting on April 11, the Selectboard voted 2-1 to rescind the prior vote and allow the event only if no drag performance would be held. No representatives of the RJN were aware that this action was going to be discussed, because no notice was given that the issue would be discussed or this vote would be held. At several points in both meetings it was clear that two of the board members were voting their own personal beliefs at the expense of the LGBTQIA+ community’s clear rights under the free speech clause of the First Amendment
“Banning a family friendly drag show is not only discriminatory, but also sets a dangerous precedent, in redefining adult entertainment to include clothed and costumed performances,” said Tanya Neslusan, executive director of MassEquality. “We are very concerned, about not only the legality of the vote to rescind, but the potential impact of the action on the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.”
“This is a great town to live in,” said a spokesperson for the Rural Justice Network. “But this recent reversal by the selectboard is unconscionable and must be challenged. RJN plans to proceed with the event, on June 24 and cordially invites all who want to support this effort to attend.”
— from a MassEquality press release
More: MassEquality.org; you can also find more here at Boston.com.
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