Gays Against Groomers group shut out of Pasco Pride Festival
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Gays Against Groomers, an organization dedicated to defending children against sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization, was shut out of the Pasco Pride Festival on Saturday despite registering and paying to attend.
“They never responded to my email which was under Gays Against Groomers, but when I emailed them from my personal email they were helpful until they realized I was with Gays Against Groomers and all communication ended and we were refunded our money for the booth for the event,” Gays Against Groomers chapter chair Jana Warnecke said.
Pasco County Pride, referenced as Pasco’s #1 LGBTQ organization, hosted its all-afternoon event in Land O Lakes. Its mission, as stated, is to “connect, build, and strengthen the LGTQIA+ Community.”
“We will foster communication, tolerance, education and mutual support among LGBTQIA+ persons and the allied communities of Pasco County,” it reads. “Our aim is to provide positive role models in the LGBTQIA+ and allied communities through mutual support and respect.”
Pasco County Pride added it aims to be the “premier platform for education, acceptance, and entertainment” for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. It also describes its vision as “inspiring and dedicated culture of support across our diverse community.”
Director of Research and Chapter Chair Mercedes R., who asked not to be fully identified, described the shutdown as “discriminatory.” She also expressed the shutout as being “censored.”
“Obviously we are gay, we should also have the right to express our opinions. That’s our first amendment right. We are also apart of the community,” Mercedes R. said. “We feel like certain gays are being pushed out of the narrative in favor of one openly sexualizing children. We just don’t think it’s fair to be shutdown when we try and speak up about it.”
Gays Against Groomers, a nonprofit, lists four opposition points on its website. The group opposes the sterilization and mutilation of minors, drag and pride events involving children, propagandizing youth with the LGBTQ+ media, and queer theory and gender ideology being taught in the classroom.
“We don’t believe children should be here at these events. Drag shows are inherently adult entertainment. It’s the same thing as burlesque, cabaret,” Mercedes R. said. “You wouldn’t expect those people to come out to the club and read to your children. For people to take it out of the club and bring it into an event where there is children is very weird, especially in an event where we are celebrating sexuality.”
Mercedes, despite being shunned, affirmed her support to the pride movement.
“I’m OK with Pride, I just don’t think kids should be there,” Mercedes R. said. “If we had the booth, we would’ve had a safe space for a diplomatic conversation, which is all we wanted.”
While not receiving official confirmation, Gays Against Groomers still showed up to event with a truck depicting an electronic message.
“Pride is not for kids. Take them home. There is no pride in sexualizing, indoctrinating, or mutilating children,” the message said.
Pasco Pride listed no age restriction on its flyer or event details to attend.
“I know they had a drag show at one, which is kind of like the main thing I didn’t like,” Mercedes R. said. “There was a drag show at one and it wasn’t advertised as 18+.”
Mercedes R. recounts witnessing as many as 15 small children at the event, as well as teenagers. While not being at the event long, she acknowledged not seeing any inappropriate outfits.
Having its cover blown by Pasco Pride, Gays Against Groomers was eventually kicked off the premises by local police.
“I thought it was a public park, so I thought we were allowed to be there,” Mercedes R. said. “Especially being open to the event, its a public event. And we are also a part of the community. I thought we were within our rights to be there at the park as well.”
Florida’s Voice reached out to Pasco Pride Festival for comment but did not hear back.
