(Texas Scorecard) – Residents of Corsicana are speaking out against a council member’s push to host a taxpayer-funded LGBT event.
During an August 26 Budget Work Session, Corsicana Councilmember Shayla Johnson asked if the city would fund the event, citing the city of Waxahachie—35 miles up the road—hosting its own LGBT events.
Councilmember Chris Woolsey pushed back on the request saying the people he represents would not be okay with using taxpayer funds to host the event.
“I represent the people who put me in office, and when I talk with the people who voted for me, this is not the kind of thing they want to see the city of Corsicana sponsoring. It’s not the kind of thing that our tax dollars need to go to.”
Johnson disagreed with Woolsey’s sentiments, explaining that the city spends money on a Cinco de Mayo celebration and the same LGBT community comes to celebrate that event.
“We’re asking them to spend their dollars on certain events, but we’re not going to celebrate their one time a year event as well?” Johnson asked.
Corsicana Mayor Mike Fletcher shut down the conversation, saying the budget meeting is not the place to discuss the topic and to sidebar the discussion for another time.
After the budget meeting, multiple residents attended Monday night’s city council meeting to express their opposition and concerns about potentially using taxpayer funds for an LGBT event.
Dr. Danny Reeves, pastor at First Baptist Corsicana, spoke during the meeting, saying he bears no ill will towards the LGBT community but believes that taxpayers should not fund “sexual perversion.”
Reeves explained that although they have the God-given free will to live their lives as they see fit, he should not have to fund it. “But when their free will infringes and asks me to pay for it. That’s where I have a problem, and so I stand before you this evening to say: don’t pay. Don’t use my tax dollars.”
Michael Bedard also spoke out against the proposed event, saying that the issue isn’t hate towards the LGBT community, but opposition to tax dollars funding events antithetical to community values.
“Despite the fact that there is no parade scheduled and that there is nothing budgeted at this time, the talk of such a budgeting issue goes against everything that the Church of Jesus Christ stands for,” Bedard said. “God does not hate that community [LGBT]. That is a wrong perception. What we are opposed to is tax monies paid by individuals, whose hard-earned money has been put into the city, their money being spent potentially in such a fashion, we are opposed to that.”
A local mother also stood before the council asking them to not use taxpayer dollars for such an event.
“We have an opportunity to support local businesses who are genuinely striving to bring wholesome commerce to our city. When did it seem appropriate to utilize taxpayers’ dollars to propose and furthermore support a perversion of God’s design for men and women?” Questioned Elizabeth Browser. “I know it’s been stated that this is just a possible rumor, but rumors take root somewhere. It started, and at some point, this may become an option for our city and I just pray that it is not.”
Others supported celebrating the LGBT community and holding some sort of event.
“Celebrating diversity in a small town holds significant importance as it is, as it serves to foster inclusivity, understanding, and a deep sense of community among its residents,” said Terry Garner. “Embracing diversity goes beyond mere acknowledgment. It involves ensuring that individuals from various backgrounds feel genuinely valued and respected.”
Councilmember Johnson decided to speak at the meeting in an attempt to clarify her intentions and address the community’s concerns, saying that she did not intend to propose a large event for the LGBT community.
“My comments were not to propose for a large-scale event, but rather a suggestion to consider small gestures of how to make everyone in this town feel equal, knowing that present and future investors feel open to diversity in the small, potential growing town,” she said. “I understand there might have been some miscommunication, and I apologize for the confusion that may have been caused.”
“My hope is that we can work together to find a balance that honors both our community’s traditions and the diverse perspective of its members. I am very disappointed that a falsified rumor was started in order to gain political favor. And moving forward, I will be mindful of grace given due to misconception, because one day it might need to be received,” she added.
The council has not taken any action on funding an LGBT event at this time.
