PRATTVILLE — The City of Prattville has no plans to halt the planned pride float in its annual Christmas parade, despite organizers publicly admitting that the float would feature a drag queen.
It was revealed last month that the local "Prattville Pride" group was granted permission to participate in the city's lauded Christmas parade, promising it would be "the gayest and merriest ever."
SEE: Prattville Pride group to have first-ever Christmas parade float – 'Gayest and merriest ever'
In response, several residents and other local groups, including Clean Up Alabama, began petitioning the city council not to allow the float, offering several solutions to address the issue.
The parade rules state that "the city reserves the right to reject any parade entry for any reason whatsoever, and to determine participation based on suitability for the occasion."
Clean Up Alabama proposed two options for the city: remove the float from the parade based on existing rules or pass a city ordinance specifically protecting children in public spaces. The group also suggested a prepared ordinance similar to one it proposed last year but was voted down by the council.
At a Tuesday city council meeting, residents expressed both support and opposition to the float being allowed in the parade. Those opposed objected to a pride foat being involved in a Christmas celebration for religious purposes, while those in favor generally accused the opposition of bigotry or discrimination.
While it was still unclear what exactly would be included in the float, representatives of Prattville Pride announced it would feature a drag queen.
Before public comment, city attorney Andrew Odom strongly advised the council not to do anything to halt the float, claiming it would violate the First Amendment of the Constitution by preempting the exercise of free speech before that speech has occurred.
"Any restrictions on speech must be narrowly tailored to meet a significant government interest," Odom said. "And again, in this situation, the speech has not occurred yet, so you can narrowly tailor something or prevent it before it has happened. Just like any other applicant to the float, they submitted an application and were approved, so they should be allowed to participate in the parade."
Councilmember Marcus Jackson asked if Clean Up Alabama's proposed ordinance would possibly allow the city to interfere.
Odom responded that any last-minute ordinance would likely still be construed as placing prior restraint on free speech.
The council did not address or vote on anything related to the float at Tuesday's meeting. However, given Odom's recommendation and the council's general reception, any intervention appears highly unlikely.
Caryl Lawson with Prattville Pride spoke in glowing terms of Prattville Pride's community involvement, including boasting of its hosting of the city's first-ever pride event in June, which it touted as being "kid-friendly," accusing those opposed of "spewing hate."
"Despite our track record, some in our community have chosen to spread hateful rhetoric about us," Lawson said. "They are not opposing our participation based on anything we've done, but simply because of who we are. Let me be clear: we have given you no reason to believe we will act inappropriately during this or any other city event."
Adam Hunt, the president of Prattville Pride, joined Lawson in confirming that drag queen Alee Michelle Sapphire would be on the float but noted that he would be adorned in a "beautiful gown."
"If Santa Clause can be in the parade [and] people can dress up as elves, then we can have a drag queen," Hunt said.
Several members opposed the float, imploring the city council to intervene while acknowledging that the council members had already decided.
Cindy Shaeffer, a newcomer to the area from Illinois, spoke against the float, saying she was disappointed after having been looking forward to the parade.
"I just think that sexual preferences should be, like, not in a Christmas parade," Shaeffer said. "That should be in your bedroom, not flaunted in front of children."
Sarah Sanchez with Clean Up Alabama gave a subtle critique of the council, stating that if it genuinely wanted to get rid of the float, it would.
"We can always find a way to use the Constitution, it seems, in public life, to defend any sort of total freedom from values. We never seem to find a way to use it to protect freedom itself and also our minors these days," Sanchez said. "So I would ask that you maybe just consider that: what do you want to do? We're watching, and we're getting a picture of what is the desire from our officials here."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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