The Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville once again played host to the Rocket City PrideFest over the weekend. Organizers of the public event advertised the festival as "family-friendly" and one filled with "local drag show royalty and LGBTQIA+ activism."
Despite PrideFest being open to the public and billed as inclusive, two evangelists preaching the Gospel at the venue were kicked out by event staff.
Shortly after being booted, the men returned and requested to re-enter the PrideFest, while recording the conversation with event staff. 1819 News has obtained a video of the interaction.
"As long as you're not wanting to outreach or spread the word to anybody and you're just here to enjoy the community for what the community is you can come back in," a female event worker told the two.
She then laid the blame for the ejections on Rocket City Pride and accused the men of attempting to spread the Gospel through non-peaceful means.
"We've had, like, already had protesters out here today. So the volunteer who was over here earlier, that was Rocket City Pride. They're the ones who said no, because we've already had an issue today. You're evangelical. You wanted to spread your word in a peaceful manner," she stated. "However, it does not come across that way."
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The female worker was asked whether simple conversations with attendees would be permitted under the right to free speech.
"Not even conversations," she replied. "We're here to love each other and embrace each other in how we feel needs to be done. We don't need people bringing the Word of God that has been weaponized against us so often. Rocket City Pride Fest has rented out this property for today. Freedom of speech is applicable outside of and off the property. However, they have the right to say these are guys that we are not willing to tolerate today."
"Our community has faced so much hate from religious groups. This is our safe space today," the worker added.
Rocket City Pride also hosts a number of other events throughout the year, including Rocket City Pride Night with Huntsville City FC, Rocket City Pride Pageants for drag performers and an "inclusive prom for adults."
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