Trump Judge Overrules Alabama Town, Allows Local LGBTQ Pride Group To Participate In Christmas Parade

Trump Judge Overrules Alabama Town, Allows Local LGBTQ Pride Group To Participate In Christmas Parade

I posted about this before. Now I need to post an update. Rule by gang violence must always be rejected and pushed back against as hard as possible. Hugs

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December 7, 2024 Christianists, LGBT News

The Birmingham News reports:

A few hours before the city of Prattville’s annual Christmas parade was to start, a federal judge ordered the city to allow an LGBTQ pride group’s float to be included. Prattville Pride called the order “a powerful affirmation of the importance of visibility, representation, and inclusion for all members of our community,” in a Facebook post.

In his order, U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker of the Middle District of Alabama wrote: “While there are areas of unprotected speech, such as incitement of violence, the City makes no argument and provides no evidence that Prattville Pride has engaged in any speech or behavior that would remotely fall into an unprotected speech category. It is undisputed that Prattville Pride has complied with the City’s regulations.“

“The City removed Prattville Pride from the parade based on its belief that certain members of the public who oppose Prattville Pride, and what is stands for, would react in a disruptive way. But discrimination based on a message’s content “cannot be tolerated under the First Amendment,” the order continued.

From yesterday’s Alabama Political Reporter report:

An LGBTQ+ float has been denied participation in the Prattville Christmas parade, with Mayor Bill Gillespie citing safety concerns. “This morning, it was brought to the City’s attention from Prattville Pride that there are serious safety concerns regarding Prattville Pride’s participation in the Christmas parade,” Gillespie said in a statement Thursday morning.

Asked to clarify these safety concerns, Gillespie said the safety concerns were brought to the attention of the city by Prattville Pride itself in a Thursday morning email:

“Subsequent to the city council meeting held on Dec. 3, there have been some additional threats made against our organization referencing harmful actions to be taken against us and our float during the Prattville Christmas Parade. At this time, Prattville Pride is requesting Prattville police officers to specifically monitor us and our surroundings during staging, as well as assign two officers to walk near the crowd alongside our float.”

From yesterday’s Courthouse News report:

After a hearing for an emergency injunction Friday morning, an Alabama LGBTQ organization is waiting for a ruling from federal judge about whether it can participate in the city of Prattville’s annual Christmas parade, scheduled for Friday evening. Prattville Pride filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the city after it withdrew permission for the organization to march.

Caryl Lawson, vice president and co-founder of Pratville Pride, told the council the group had been subjected to “hateful pushback and rhetoric.” On social media forums, there have been suggestions the group will be clad in lingerie or will toss sex toys and LGBTQ literature to children along the parade route. There were also threats to vandalize the group’s float or toss objects including “rotten tomatoes” at members of the organization.

From my first report last month:

Prattville Pride was the very first organization to enter the City of Prattville’s annual Christmas parade this year. The group paid the fee like other organizations and says they plan to abide by the city’s rules. However, Clean Up Alabama, the group that originally formed to challenge LGBTQ+ titles in the Prattville library, is calling on the city to reverse course and deny Prattville Pride the opportunity to participate.

“The Christmas parade is a celebration of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah. It is NOT a time to celebrate someone’s sexual preferences. And it is certainly not a place for a drag show,” Clean Up Alabama said in an email pushing for the removal of Prattville Pride. The fervor started after a far-right website highlighted Prattville Pride’s participation in the event.

Trump nominated Judge Huffaker to the federal bench in 2019 and he was confirmed by the Senate in a lopsided 89-4 vote with the support of Democratic then-US Sen. Doug Jones. There’s more in the video report below. Prattville Pride is celebrating with a suggestion for donations to the Trevor Project.

Prattville Pride

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**Official Statement from Prattville Pride**

We are thrilled to share the news that a federal court has granted us an injunction upholding Prattville Prides right to participate in the city’s Christmas parade. This ruling is a powerful affirmation of the importance of visibility, representation, and inclusion for all members of our community. The Christmas parade is a cherished holiday tradition, and we are excited to celebrate alongside our neighbors and friends in the spirit of love, joy, and unity.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to our attorney, Julia Collins, and the Harris Law Firm for their incredible support and timely response. Their willingness to prioritize this case as soon as they heard about the city’s decision was crucial in getting the motion filed in time. We also want to extend a special thank you to Keirsten Wallace for her invaluable assistance in preparing parts of the brief. Her hard work and dedication played an important role in this success.

While we celebrate this important step forward, we must also acknowledge the challenges and hateful rhetoric that have been directed towards our organization and the LGBTQ+ community during this process. Such negativity can have a profound and damaging effect on LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth, who often face heightened risks of isolation, mental health struggles, and rejection.

This is why Prattville Pride exists—to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe, seen, and supported. Our participation in the Christmas parade is more than just a celebration; it is a statement of belonging and a reminder that love and acceptance are integral to the fabric of our community.

In addition to our ongoing Point of Pride fundraiser, we are calling on our supporters to consider donating to The Trevor Project, a vital organization dedicated to serving at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. By contributing, we can help ensure that young people in our community and beyond receive the support and resources they need to thrive.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has stood by us and advocated for equality. Together, we are building a more inclusive Prattville where everyone has a place to belong. We look forward to spreading holiday cheer and representing the spirit of pride and love during this year’s Christmas parade.

Thank you for your continued support. Let’s keep working together to create a community where every individual feels valued and celebrated.

With pride and gratitude,

**Prattville Pride Leadership**

https://give.thetrevorproject.org/give/63307…

give.thetrevorproject.org

Donate to The Trevor Project

Your life-saving gift today will help us provide them with the affirmation

Alabama Town Boots LGBTQ Group From Xmas Parade After Group Received Threats And Asked For Protection

Alabama Town Boots LGBTQ Group From Xmas Parade After Group Received Threats And Asked For Protection

Some more to the story. Please notice the religious hate and bigotry along with the crazy idea the Christmas a country wide holiday belongs only to Christians due to their beliefs. Notice the misinformation deliberately thrown out to confuse and mislead the public over what the Pride float was about. Notice the attempt to make the LGBTQ+ in to degenerate perverts trying to corrupt and harm children. Save the kids from a threat that doesn’t exist by banning the Pride float along with LGBTQ+ people. It is the entire Russian playbook being enacted here by religious and maga gang thugs. Hugs

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December 6, 2024 Christianists, Hate Groups

The Alabama Political Reporter reports:

An LGBTQ+ float has been denied participation in the Prattville Christmas parade, with Mayor Bill Gillespie citing safety concerns. “This morning, it was brought to the City’s attention from Prattville Pride that there are serious safety concerns regarding Prattville Pride’s participation in the Christmas parade,” Gillespie said in a statement Thursday morning.

Asked to clarify these safety concerns, Gillespie said the safety concerns were brought to the attention of the city by Prattville Pride itself in a Thursday morning email:

“Subsequent to the city council meeting held on Dec. 3, there have been some additional threats made against our organization referencing harmful actions to be taken against us and our float during the Prattville Christmas Parade. At this time, Prattville Pride is requesting Prattville police officers to specifically monitor us and our surroundings during staging, as well as assign two officers to walk near the crowd alongside our float.”

Courthouse News reports:

After a hearing for an emergency injunction Friday morning, an Alabama LGBTQ organization is waiting for a ruling from federal judge about whether it can participate in the city of Prattville’s annual Christmas parade, scheduled for Friday evening. Prattville Pride filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the city after it withdrew permission for the organization to march.

Caryl Lawson, vice president and co-founder of Pratville Pride, told the council the group had been subjected to “hateful pushback and rhetoric.” On social media forums, there have been suggestions the group will be clad in lingerie or will toss sex toys and LGBTQ literature to children along the parade route. There were also threats to vandalize the group’s float or toss objects including “rotten tomatoes” at members of the organization.

From my first report last month:

Prattville Pride was the very first organization to enter the City of Prattville’s annual Christmas parade this year. The group paid the fee like other organizations and says they plan to abide by the city’s rules. However, Clean Up Alabama, the group that originally formed to challenge LGBTQ+ titles in the Prattville library, is calling on the city to reverse course and deny Prattville Pride the opportunity to participate.

“The Christmas parade is a celebration of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah. It is NOT a time to celebrate someone’s sexual preferences. And it is certainly not a place for a drag show,” Clean Up Alabama said in an email pushing for the removal of Prattville Pride. The fervor started after a far-right website highlighted Prattville Pride’s participation in the event.

There’s much more at the first link above.

https://twitter.com/ALReporter/status/1864751986924548594

https://twitter.com/TabithaK/status/1864779575840100476

https://twitter.com/BakerCreek63/status/1865104975002542428

https://twitter.com/jgray78/status/1865141868037603692

https://twitter.com/MaraMiro93/status/1864787221850574890

Prattville caves to threats, pulls LGBTQ float out of Christmas parade

https://www.alreporter.com/2024/12/05/prattville-caves-to-threats-pulls-lgbtq-float-out-of-christmas-parade/

Again notice the gang thugs threatening violence to get what they wanted. All it takes for places to cancel LGBTQ+ events or participation is to make a threat against them. Seems to me to show these people did not want the LGBTQ+ event or participation in the first place. There goal is to remove us from society and public view. Why are we letting these thugs, these brownshirts drive us out of public life. We must fight back with everything we can. Hugs.

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The float’s removal follows counsel’s warning against “prior restraint,” urging narrowly tailored actions to address compelling safety concerns.

By
Jacob Holmes

Published on December 5, 2024 at 1:20 pm CST

Updated on December 6 at 9:10 am

Prattville, Alabama, USA – May 12, 2017: Official seal for the City of Prattiville hanging at Stanley Jensen Stadium, the city-owned football stadium.

An LGBTQ+ float has been denied participation in the Prattville Christmas parade, with Mayor Bill Gillespie citing safety concerns.

“This morning, it was brought to the City’s attention from Prattville Pride that there are serious safety concerns regarding Prattville Pride’s participation in the Christmas parade,” Gillespie said in a statement Thursday morning. “Until today, there has only been conjecture and speculation regarding potential safety concerns that Prattville Pride’s participation in the parade may cause. The City will not put the rights of parade participants ahead of the safety of its citizens. Because of the safety concerns for Prattville Pride, other parade participants, as well as parade bystanders, the City has made the decision to remove Prattville Pride from the Christmas parade.”

Asked to clarify these safety concerns, Gillespie said the safety concerns were brought to the attention of the city by Prattville Pride itself in a Thursday morning email. APR has obtained that email, sent from Prattville Pride Vice President Caryl Lawson to Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson and Assistant Chief Jeff Hassell.

“Subsequent to the city council meeting held on Dec. 3, there have been some additional threats made against our organization referencing harmful actions to be taken against us and our float during the Prattville Christmas Parade,” Lawson wrote. “At this time, Prattville Pride is requesting Prattville police officers to specifically monitor us and our surroundings during staging, as well as assign two officers to walk near the crowd alongside our float.

“It is apparent that our float and our members are at risk of being specifically targeted during this public city event. We are concerned not only with our own safety but that of bystanders and parade-goers as well. Having police escorts could be an invaluable deterrent.”

The email does not reference any specific threats made against the nonprofit or parade-goers. Lawson told APR on Thursday that Prattville Pride has retained counsel and has no comment at this time.

The removal of the float comes less than 36 hours after advice from Andrew Odom, counsel for the City of Prattville, advising council members not to engage in any “prior restraint” of free speech by removing the float, informing them that any regulation of speech must be “narrowly tailored” to support a compelling government interest.

Clean Up Alabama and like-minded citizens have expressed outrage over the inclusion of the float in the Christmas parade, with some participating floats, including St. Joseph Catholic Church, backing out in protest.

Prattville Pride announced its intentions Tuesday to have one drag queen on its float in a full evening gown, sitting down. The group also planned to throw candy and Christmas-themed items for children.

Several council members declined to comment for this article, except to say that they were not involved in the decision.

“I was not a part of the final discussion and have no comment,” said Councilor Michael Whaley.

“I would recommend the mayor and police chief,” said Councilor Robert Strichik. “They’re more involved in that decision.”

Council President Lora Lee Boone declined to comment. APR had not yet reached council members John Chambers, Tommy Merrick, or Russ Sanders as of the publication of this article.

Councilor Marcus Jackson told APR that he was not “involved or consulted with” on the decision.

“It is deeply concerning and unfortunate if any threats were made against them or anyone associated,” Jackson said. “I sincerely hope that our community can move toward greater unity and mutual respect, embracing others and their beliefs. Disagreements should never lead to hate or violence, and I pray that we can work together to foster understanding and acceptance for all.”

With Prattville Pride retaining counsel, the city could find itself in a sticky legal situation.

A ruling from a federal judge on a similar situation on the campus of Auburn University in 2017 could apply here as well, sources told APR.

White nationalist Richard Spencer had been engaged to speak at the university, prompting backlash. The university ultimately canceled Spencer’s speech, also citing “safety concerns.”

“In consultation with law enforcement, Auburn canceled the Richard Spencer event scheduled for Tuesday evening based on legitimate concerns and credible evidence that it will jeopardize the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors,” the university said at the time.

This led the university into court for infringing on Spencer’s free speech rights.

U.S. District Judge W. Keith Watkins ruled three days later that the university must allow Spencer to speak as planned.

“While Mr. Spencer’s beliefs and message are controversial, Auburn presented no evidence that Mr. Spencer advocates violence,” Watkins stated in his ruling, noting that threats of violence by opposition are not sufficient to limit Spencer’s freedom of speech.

This is a developing story.

Some Sam Seder clips

This one address the mistaken idea that anti-trans stuff worked to win the presidency for tRump. In fact it was not a factor according to surveys however the only ones talking about it were the tRump people. Harris never mentioned trans except for one time saying that they followed the law on treating trans prisoners with the hormone care they were prescribed or needed before incarceration. Again it is the law and tRump also did it in his first term. Hugs

More on the trans issues and the bathroom ban for trans people in the capital. Trans issues in the 2022 midterms showed that trans issues was a losing issue for them. It was the same this election. The larger problem is the democrats being too cowardly to stand up for the abused minority. Hugs

We hear about the genocide by Israel of the Palestinians. He talks about hate on the internet by right wing forced paid for and encouraged by people who want to normalize this level of violence and convince people it is good to be this bloodthirsty. Hugs

Peace & Justice History for 12/5

(Barfbag alert for the 2002 entry. But it is US history.)

https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistorydecember.htm#december5

Peace & Justice History for 12/3

https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistorydecember.htm#december3

LGBTQ+ People Are Not Going Back

and neither are allies!

Good morning! Time to go to work, if we don’t want to go back. First, it is time to call and write our Congress critters to let them know we want no human thrown under the bus in the Republican rush to pick on people they think are less than or “other.” Their majorities in our federal legislative houses are thin; razor thin; so if we will let those legislators know what we want, enough of them will see to at least stemming the damage. They have their ways; plus, the Dem minority numbers are big enough to toss rocks in the works, especially with a few Republicans. For more on this, please see this Substack that Janet passed to me:

https://juliaserano.substack.com/p/planned-action-for-lgbtq-and-allies

For the click-adverse, here’s the snippet from which I’m working here today:

I am but one person and cannot speak for our entire community. But here’s what I propose in the spirit of Queer Nation, who in the 1990s carried out myriad protests under the same banner but with no singular leader or directive.

I propose that on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 (the first day that both the House and Senate are back in session), all of us who are invested in this issue and have a platform (whether it be a blog, newsletter, column, podcast, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc.) publish a piece with the shared title: “LGBTQ+ People Are Not Going Back.” Yes, I know, it’s a cheesy title, but it holds Democrats accountable to their own talking points and makes it clear that backsliding on LGBTQ+ rights is nonnegotiable for us.

What you write or say or express in your op-ed or article or video or podcast etcetera is up to you. I encourage you to make it personal and feel free to tailor it to your audience. My only request (other than all of us using the same title) is that you implore people to contact their Congressperson and Senators (and perhaps even local politicians) and tell them that 1) you will not tolerate any backpedaling on LGBTQ+ rights whatsoever, and 2) if they fail to strongly stand up against these attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, then you will take your vote elsewhere next election. (snip-More)

https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm , and https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative are where we can write and call our Congress critters. WordPress keeps capitalizing and separating that wonderful compound word, not me, btw. Anyway, there is that. It can be a thing, and it should be, and we can make it a thing. More on that in the Substack linked and snipped above.

So, as to allies going back. For myself, if my friends are somehow rolled back, I will have to resist in different ways than I did in the past, except for the bothering of Congress critters, which continues apace. The past was fun and dangerous and sometimes more fun because it was dangerous but none of us got hurt or even threatened with arrest, unlike some places we read about in history and more recent times. I wrote a whole thing about those experiences, but it seemed to overshadow this, so some other time. Meanwhile, I’m going to schedule this, then copy it to my Substack, then letter blast some Congress critters, then Go To Bed. I’ve stayed up late most of the long weekend, but that doesn’t work well for me, so.

I encourage Scottie and Randy to post something with this title, and to make a call or send an email if they have time. I encourage any other blogger who reads this to please post something with this title, and also to bother your Congress critters about treating people the way they want to be treated, and opposing bills and resolutions that divide and “other” We the People. I hope we all have a great day, and get something done! And, thank you Janet, for passing this along!

Peace & Justice History for 12/2

https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistorydecember.htm#december2

Let’s talk about 3 developments with Russia….

Republicans being assholes and the damaging effects on people it has

Incoming FCC Chair: I’ll Punish CBS On Trump’s Behalf

Walmart And Lowe’s: Trump Tariffs Will Raise Our Prices

AutoZone CEO: “We’ll Pass Tariffs Back To Consumers”

Texas Board Approves Bible Lessons In Public Schools

The bible lessons were pushed by Jonathan Covey [photo], head of the anti-LGBTQ hate group Texas Values, which has appeared here multiple times in the past. In February 2015, on the tenth anniversary of the Texas state ban on same-sex marriage, Texas Values held a “banniversary” celebration complete with a cake-cutting ceremony. The actual tenth “banniversary” wasn’t until November 2015, but Texas Values held their little party months early because they rightly feared what the Supreme Court would ultimately rule in June of that year.

https://twitter.com/TFN/status/1858571686955614544

https://twitter.com/technolibrary/status/1858578424874582183

Nancy Mace Has Vile Anti-Trans Melt Down [VIDEO]

Johnson Bans Trans Women From Capitol Restrooms

danolgb5 days ago

I had a classmate tell me that Dems would do better if we dropped the “whole bathroom thing.” I educated him that this was not a fight we chose and that trans people have been around for decades using the bathrooms they fit in best. It was Republicans that made it a “thing.”

Ščŏŧŧ Ċ – Vive la résistance danolgb5 days ago

All of the “hot button social issues” are issues created and kept alive by Republicans.
People are just trying to live their lives, and the GQP decides they’re doing it wrong.

Elagabalus danolgb5 days ago

Exactly, because Rethugs always know what triggers their fragile, fearful, deeply insecure base the most.

Gigi5 days ago

American People: We don’t have enough money to buy gas, groceries, healthcare or pay rent. We need help!

Republicans: We’re banning trans women from Capitol restrooms.

MTG Threatens To Assault Transgender Rep-Elect

Look, I genuinely don’t care who is in the bathroom with me, but the law you’re proposing says the person on the left should use the women’s bathroom and the person on the right should use the men’s bathroom https://t.co/isL1hCofbI pic.twitter.com/drWWVnSyIL
— Armand Domalewski (@ArmandDoma) November 19, 2024

Sarah McBride is more feminine than Marjorie Taylor Greene. pic.twitter.com/lkeaFFjlwo
— ❄️💙WINTER💙❄️ (@WintersPolitics) November 19, 2024

Update In Case Of Just-Elected MAGA Republican Convicted Of Sexual Assault: Victim Was His Daughter

A Trump supporting, anti-trans, anti-gay Republican was elected commissioner of the county where I grew up. He won despite being in jail on election night for a sexual assault in Vegas. It’s now come out that the woman he assaulted was his daughter. fox59.com/news/indycri…
— Radley Balko (@radleybalko.bsky.social) 2024-11-20T01:22:20.078Z

Graphic Details In Alleged Hegseth Assault Incident

Hegseth Plans Christianist “Educational Insurgency”

Three wives, adultery with an employee, and an alleged sexual assault is what Jesus would want.

Appearing on a Christian nationalist podcast last night, Pete Hegseth said he's creating a system of "classical Christian schools" to provide recruits for an underground army that will eventually launch an "educational insurgency" across the nation. https://t.co/OnW3oNXoDf pic.twitter.com/dSb0RB8Y5Q
— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) November 19, 2024

NC House Votes To Strip Power From Dem Gov And AG

Failure to provide anything close to real, immediate funding for Helene recovery is appalling. Instead, the GOP legislature used financial crumbs to cover for massive power grabs.https://t.co/dsAwcASthH
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) November 20, 2024

I spent today with local leaders, business owners, and volunteers in western North Carolina. Many people and communities are hurting and need our help. But instead of stepping up, the Republicans in the General Assembly are grabbing power and exacting political retribution. How…
— Josh Stein (@JoshStein_) November 19, 2024