The quiet towns of the Alabama countryside are normally far from the center of public attention. Rural communities often experience an exodus of young people seeking greater opportunities after high school.
But one segment of the population looks upon country towns and sees an opportunity waiting to be taken advantage of: LGBTQ+ activists. The once open spaces in these communities, parks, libraries and parades, have fallen into the cultural crosshairs of tiny, externally-supported groups that use sophisticated strategies to project the illusion of broad support. Gay activist groups, backed by affluent NGOs and federal dollars, have been exploiting the openness of these public spaces to impose a way of life that clashes with the convictions of many Alabamians.
Public Parks as Cultural Battlegrounds
Public parks, traditionally family-friendly spaces for community events, have become stages for activism. In 2022, Cullman’s Depot Park hosted “Cullman Comes Out,” billed as the town’s first Pride event. Initially promoted as an autism awareness event, it was organized by Rickey H. Foster, Jr., with support from Central Alabama Pride. Marketed as all-ages, the event sparked significant backlash. Foster’s TikTok account, “Giley Shine,” with 400,000 followers, amplified its visibility, although local support appeared limited, as evidenced by the need for security and a local Facebook group, “Cullman against Groomers,” which accused organizers of having inappropriate motives. Unseasonable weather reduced turnout, and despite plans for annual events, no sequel has occurred.
Central Alabama Pride is connected to broader LGBTQ+ networks through substantial funding. The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham’s LGBTQ Fund awarded $65,000 to nine nonprofits in 2024. While specific grants for the Cullman event aren’t public, groups like Central Alabama Pride often receive support from organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which reported $45 million in 2023 revenue, including grants from Open Society Foundations and corporate donors like Bank of America. The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice also funds community projects with budgets up to $150,000, covering permits, security, and promotion for events like Pride. Federal funding, though not directly linked to this event, often flows through agencies like the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which supports community programs, though a 2025 executive order aims to restrict funds promoting “gender ideology.”
Libraries Under Siege
Libraries, once havens for learning, have become battlegrounds over LGBTQ+ content. In 2023, Cullman residents challenged three children’s books, "Prince and Knight," "Heather Has Two Mommies," and "Lily and Dunkin" for their focus on alternative sexuality and gender themes. The library board voted unanimously on Oct. 19, 2023, to keep the books in their original sections, with one abstention from new member Jill Meggs, who supported parental choice and proposed labeling systems. Lance Conn and Krysti Shallenberger from Read Freely Alabama opposed removal, leaving many parents feeling the library prioritized ideology over community values.
In Baldwin County, similar disputes emerged in 2023 over LGBTQ+ children’s books at Foley Public Library. Director John Jackson defended the collection, citing American Library Association (ALA) guidelines, which critics call progressive. Fairhope’s library faced pressure to review 35 books flagged as “sexually explicit” by state officials. Concerned residents borrowed books to scrutinize content, while the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) sought legal opinions on regulating such material. A May 2025 Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision supports efforts to remove controversial books, though its impact remains unclear. Funding pauses for Fairhope’s library and proposed APLS code changes to restrict certain content are under discussion.
Read Freely Alabama is part of a national network opposing book bans, whose activism and core values align with the ALA. The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom provides resources to influence library policies across the nation. PFLAG, represented by Conn, receives funding from the Gill Foundation ($125,000 in 2023) and corporate sponsors like Google, supporting advocacy campaigns. Federal IMLS grants, critical for Alabama libraries, face risks from the 2025 executive order targeting “gender ideology” initiatives.
Parades Repurposed
Christmas parades, rooted in faith and family, have also been targeted. In 2024, Prattville Pride’s float in the Prattville Christmas Parade, featuring a drag queen and the slogan “the gayest and merriest ever,” sparked opposition from residents and Clean Up Alabama. Petitions and proposed child-protection ordinances failed due to First Amendment concerns raised by attorney Andrew Odom. Mayor Bill Gillespie removed the float over safety issues, but Prattville Pride sued, and Judge R. Austin Huffaker, Jr. ruled for inclusion. The float, a rainbow-tinseled star, proceeded without the drag queen, but low attendance and withdrawals by groups like St. Joseph’s Catholic Church reflected community discontent.
Prattville Pride, supported by Central Alabama Pride, taps into national networks like HRC and GLAAD, which reported $30 million in 2023 revenue and support local Pride events. The ACLU of Alabama, backed by $1.3 million from donors, aided Prattville Pride’s lawsuit. Federal funding through agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts supports community projects, though 2025 restrictions may limit such allocations.
Strategies and Funding
LGBTQ+ activism in Alabama relies on well-funded strategies targeting vulnerable public spaces. Parks become platforms for all-ages events, libraries promote alternative sexuality, and parades are leveraged to advance social agendas. A town like Cullman went from no Pride events to a PFLAG chapter in three years, fueled by NGO and federal dollars. Groups like HRC, GLAAD, and the ACLU, backed by corporate giants and foundations, provide financial and legal muscle to challenge local decisions.
The Time For Action Is Now
Despite 2025 federal funding restrictions, these financial networks won’t disappear quickly. Community spaces are no longer neutral zones; they are battlegrounds for competing visions. Alabamians must act to preserve their traditions. Small, organized local groups can counter larger organizations through engagement, networking, leveraging local laws and complacent citizens. Public pressure on officials can realign priorities. By standing together, residents can ensure parks, libraries and parades reflect shared values, not distant agendas.
Correction: The original article mentioned that funding pauses were being discussed for the Foley Library, rather than the Fairhope Library. The article has been updated and we regret the error.
Christopher Hill is an Outreach Minister at Hopewell Baptist Church in Hanceville and a member of the Cullman chapter of the Alabama Eagle Forum.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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