Texas Rep. Matt Shaheen has responded to Dallas City Council Member Chad West’s dismissal of his calls for an investigation into a local “all ages” LGBTQ Pride event.
Shaheen (R-Plano) doubled down on his position that the City of Dallas should formally investigate the Texas Latinx Pride Fest for potential violations of state law.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Shaheen sent a letter to the Dallas City Council, Police Chief Eddie Garcia, and District Attorney John Creuzot asking for the LGBTQ event to be investigated.
Council Member Chad West responded by saying the City and its police force should not waste their time on such an investigation. He claimed that as a father he knows what things actually pose threats to children, and “[a]n arts and culture event in a city park by LGBT performers is not one of them.”
“Dallas Police resources should not be wasted on ideological stunts aimed at harassing people because of their skin color and who they love,” West said. “As a gay man, I would like the LGBT people … to know you will always be welcome and loved in the city of Dallas.”
Rep. Shaheen replied to West in a statement to The Dallas Express.
“The letter sent to Mr. West and the rest of the Dallas City Council included photos of highly sexual content with children present, that are clear violations of law designed to protect children,” he said. “The sexualization of children by liberal Democrat extremists will not be tolerated and I again strongly encourage the City of Dallas to investigate this highly unacceptable behavior.”
As reported by The Dallas Express, Shaheen said in his original letter that 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 advertised as open to people of “all ages, backgrounds, and identities.” It attracted protesters who disapproved of children’s attendance at an event where adults were dancing provocatively and wearing revealing clothing, 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.”
However, the event’s organizer, Texas Latino Pride, maintains that there was much value to be found in it for members of the Latino and LGBTQ communities, regardless of age.
“Together, our community celebrated queer joy and united for the safety and freedom of LGBTQ Texans and our allies,” the organization told the Dallas Observer. “Pride is something to be celebrated by every Texan. LGBTQ people are also parents and parents of LGBTQ youth. We are proud of the annual festival and look forward to contributing to the community in the future.”
