BOMA Approves Franklin Pride Fest Permit With Tie-Breaking Vote From Mayor Ken Moore

Image Credit: Kelly M. Jackson and Franklin, Tennessee – YouTube

The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –

Around 300 people showed up for the regularly scheduled meeting of Board of Alderman and Mayor for the city of Franklin last night, which is uncommon.

The large crowd that gathered witnessed the culmination of months of debate and opposition concerning a single item on the board’s agenda: whether they would be granting the permit that had been requested by Franklin Pride to hold their annual Pride-Fest, which is scheduled for early June of this year. 

The work session which began at 5pm consisted mostly of public comment where many residents had the ability to come and voice their opposition or support for the event. The group of 106 total residents that spoke consisted of approximately 40% for granting the permit, and 60% against, as a rough estimate. 

It was evident that the number of people who attended had swelled significantly from the meeting in late March, when the vote was postponed pending a discussion regarding a resolution proposed by Alderman Beverly Berger (R-Ward1) that might have had an impact on the event had it been adopted. 

After several hours of public comment, and much discussion between the board and Mayor Ken Moore, a vote was finally taken up at around 7:30 pm. 

Brandy Blanton Alderman At Large, who was in attendance at last year’s function and read a proclamation in place of Mayor Moore, celebrating “the day and the community”  voted to grant the permit. For those who did not want their children exposed to any potentially harmful displays, her advice was simply, “don’t take them”.

Alderman Beverly Burger (R-Ward1) expressed that despite hearing comment after comment about how those in opposition “were filled with hate,” she had not heard that herself and that she and others on the board had received threats of violence if they voted to oppose the petition. Alderman Burger did vote to oppose the petition and based her decision on the events of the previous year where what some called a “lewd and lascivious” drag show was featured and, therefore, the event for this year needed to be tabled and revisited perhaps next year. 

Gabrielle Hanson Alderman At Large also voted to oppose the petition. Her reasons she stated was due to the fact that despite Franklin Pride promising a “family friendly” event, the drag show featuring performers with names like “The Blair Bitch” and others who through a simple Google search were found to be featured in 18+ venues due to the adult nature of their shows.

Hanson also spoke about a conversation she had with one of the event’s organizers, Robert McNamara, who informed Hanson that there had been a drag show at all previous Franklin Pride events and that no one on the city’s staff had ever told them this was not something that would not be allowed.  

This was a puzzling statement from McNamara, since he surely would have been aware of who was performing in the show, and therefore should have had some idea that a show with performers of that nature would likely be a problem, regardless of whether the city’s staff had a full understanding of it themselves.  

Hanson also suggested to McNamara that they take the event to a private venue and that she would assist them in this effort. She suggested that if they are able to manage an event that truly was family friendly in a private space, then maybe next year they could return to the park. McNamara had no interest and declined the offer. 

Vice Mayor and Alderman At Large Clyde Barnhill, with little ceremony also voted not to support the petition and gave no explanation. 

Also voting in opposition was Alderman Patrick Baggett (Ward 4), after a back-and-forth argument regarding the wish to not impede the group’s freedom of speech rights but also being aware that the event in the year prior had caused for much concern having failed to keep the event “family friendly,” which was promised by the group at the time of their petition application for June of 2022. 

Alderman Matt Brown of Ward 2, where Harlinsdale Park is located, expressed that having read about similar situations in other parts of the country with similar events, those instances ending in litigation and then occurred anyway, so he voted to approve the petition. 

Alderman Jason Potts (Ward 4) also voted to approve the petition, stating that while the festival was not something he personally would be drawn to attend, the group had the right to use public space because they promised “to make right” the events of the previous year. He also referred to the recently deceased Williamson County DA Kim Helper, whom they consulted about whether the show that occurred last year met any standard for criminality. Since she had assured them it hadn’t, he said he would go ahead and trust the group to do what they had failed to do the year before. 

Approval was also granted by Ann Petersen, Alderman At Large, with no comment in addition. 

It was Mayor Ken Moore, who due to the board being split, cast the deciding vote in the matter. He voted in favor, with a promise that if they should again violate the promise they made to keep the event family friendly, that he would, “make sure they never held the event in Franklin ever again”. 

Franklin Pride Fest is scheduled to be held in Harlinsdale Park, on June 3^rd, in Franklin. 

About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member.  Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.