RESOLUTION CONCERNING DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
R-2022-64
WHEREAS, the Union County Pride Festival (“Festival”) will be held throughout Union County during September of 2022; and
WHEREAS, a portion of the Festival will be held at Belk Tonawanda Park on Sunday, September 18, 2022; and
WHEREAS, a portion of the Festival at Belk Tonawanda Park will include a Drag Queen Story Hour where children may be present; and
WHEREAS, members of the City Council are concerned about the potential impact of Drag Queen Story Hour on children; and
WHEREAS, the laws of the State of North Carolina and the United States protect free expression and freedom of speech, but in some cases do not strike a balance between freedom and the need to protect our children; and
WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that it cannot at this time, stop Drag Queen Story Hour from taking place on City owned property during the Festival, the City Council notes it can express its opinion concerning this event; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to express its opinion on Drag Queen Story Hour.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Monroe expresses that it does not support the Drag Queen Story Hour which is scheduled to take place at Belk Tonawanda Park on September 18, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council is concerned about the potential impact of Drag Queen Story Hour on children that may be in attendance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council requests that Union County Pride voluntarily considers limiting attendance at Drag Queen Story Hour to those of eighteen (18) years of age and above.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council requests that this Resolution be published by the City and made available on its website no later than 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
Adopted this 13th day of September, 2022.