Dallas City Council Member Chad West says he will not entertain a state lawmaker’s request for the City of Dallas to investigate a local “all-ages” LGBTQ Pride event with allegedly “obscene” content that potentially violated state law.
West told The Dallas Observer that he, as a father, knows what things actually pose threats to children, and “An arts and culture event in a city park by LGBT performers is not one of them.”
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Texas representative Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) sent a letter to the Dallas City Council requesting that potential violations of state law by an LGBTQ event attended by children be investigated.
However, West argued that “Dallas Police resources should not be wasted on ideological stunts aimed at harassing people because of their skin color and who they love.”
“As a gay man, I would like the LGBT people, especially Latino LGBT folks, of Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, and Celina to know you will always be welcome and loved in the city of Dallas,” West continued. “Your talents and full, authentic selves are welcome here anytime.”
The event in question was the Texas Latinx Pride Fest held at Reverchon Park in Dallas on September 16.
As previously covered by The Dallas Express, Shaheen said he “believe[s] children were harmed at this event in violation of the Texas Penal Code.”
“Children were present and witnessed disgusting, obscene content that shows individuals committing offenses described in Section 43 of the Texas Penal Code,” he said.
Section 43 of the Texas Penal Code pertains to laws about public indecency.
The Texas Latinx Pride Fest was marketed as open to people of “all ages, backgrounds, and identities.” Protesters picketed the event, objecting to children witnessing scantily clad adults dancing provocatively, as covered by The Dallas Express.
Shaheen asserted that “it is clear that the event organizers knew exactly what children would see and that they meant to promote it to children.”
“[I]t is a Class A misdemeanor for a person to display harmful material to a minor if the person is reckless about whether a minor is present who would be offended or alarmed by the display,” he said. “Simply glancing at one of the many images of the event shows that the event appealed to the sexual, prurient interest of a minor.”
“The images, as well, show that the event was patently offensive in nature to prevailing standards in Dallas and Texas,” Shaheen continued. “Lastly, there is zero social value that minors can possibly receive watching grown men parade around in BSDM underwear.”
“As Dallas elected city officials, you must ensure these crimes against children are prosecuted,” he said. “Other like-minded individuals in your city should be on notice that holding such an event in Dallas is an illegal violation of the Texas Penal Code and could have serious criminal penalties.”
“Duty requires that you investigate this matter immediately,” the lawmaker concluded. “Please follow that duty for the sake of our children.”
Shaheen sent the letter not only to the Dallas City Council but also to Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia and Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot. However, Council Member West appears to be the only official to respond to the letter as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Dallas Express reached out to the office of Rep. Shaheen and asked how he would respond to the counterpoints made by West, but no response was received by press time.
