Fate of Franklin Pride festival: Mayor breaks tie to approve event amid impassioned debate

Citizens fill the area just outside the Franklin Board of Aldermen meeting room in Franklin on April 11.

Before Franklin Mayor Ken Moore announced how he planned to vote, he shared his concerns Tuesday night in a crowded room of aldermen, residents and visitors.

“The worst thing about what I am seeing is there is division among our community and both sides have pretty much drawn a line in the sand,” Moore said during his opening statement.

And then, he made the announcement. Moore voted in favor of allowing the Franklin Pride festival, breaking the Franklin Board of Alderman’s 4-4 tie, the latest chapter of what has become one of the most controversial issues in Middle Tennessee.

For weeks, event organizers and critics prepared for a showdown. The 2023 permit’s approval processs drew national attention after critics became aware of drag performances at last year’s festival.

So on Tuesday, more than 100 people shared impassioned stories in front of Franklin leaders — many quoting scripture and declaring their Christian faith.

“Why would we ever permit such an event at a public park? I know it’s really hard to hold the line. But I trust this team and this group has the courage to do just that.”

“Innocence wasn’t protected last year.”

“We are at an inflection point in the city’s history and in this nation’s history. Where pronouns are shoved down our throats.”

Others simply asked for a fair decision.

“I am proudly transgender. We have followed the rules and we are simply asking you to be on the right side of history.”

“I am the proud momma of a gay teen. He is gifted, humorous, creative, passionate, and I love him. I value family. I value democracy. Equality is so important. They should have this right.”

“The Jesus I follow tells me I can loosen my grip on fear because of the cross. However, your role here is not to enforce scripture or the Bible on your citizens. Your role here is to be fair and just to all groups in Franklin.”

At stake: consideration of special event permit for the Franklin Pride festival, which was launched in 2019.

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Pride event scheduled for June 3

The mayor said the First Amendment allows the festival to take place at Harlinsdale Park, a local celebration of LGBTQIA+ people and their allies. He believes it’s important for citizens “to learn who our neighbors are in Franklin.”

The 2023 festival, a free event, will be held June 3.

Moore, though, cast his vote with a caveat.

“If you violate the trust we are placing in you right now,” he added, “then I will work as hard as I work every single day to make sure that event never happens in Franklin again.”

Franklin board’s comments, votes vary

Eve Boger is the first speaker at the Franklin Board of Alderman work session on April 11 in favor of the Franklin Pride Festival.

Alderman Matt Brown, who voted to approve the permit, said according to the Constitution, and by extension of his Christian faith, he believes the board can’t deny the event permit.

“The mandate you are bringing to this board is, I gotta be honest with you, it’s unrealistic and frankly it’s unlawful what you are asking us to do,” Brown said.

“Jesus reminds us, we have to obey the law of the land.”

This permit, Brown said, is for a six-hour event in Harlinsdale Park. The site will be wrapped in signage with no drag shows, and the only people who go to the park that day will be people who want to be there.

“Like it or not,” Brown added, “this is the law of the land.”

Alderman Gabrielle Hanson voted against the permit. Hanson said she didn’t feel organizers could be trusted to host the event again at a city park.

“There’s not a filter there of appropriate versus not appropriate,” Hanson said about Franklin Pride organizers. “And I know they do really good things for the gay community and for families that are going through those challenges. I’ve cried over a lot of the emails I’ve gotten from families whose children go down this path and they are helpless and challenged, and they are looking for community.”

Romonte Hamer, Williamson County Young Republicans chairman, speaks against the Pride Festival on April 11.

Alderman Beverly Burger, who also voted against the permit, said event organizers “don’t get a pass in my book.” She questioned why previous marketing material for the event was labeled as family friendly.

“If it was so family friendly, why are we here tonight?” Burger said.

More: City leaders delay Franklin Pride vote, say ‘community decency’ policy is forthcoming

“We are charged to vote objectively and it’s based on past behavior and experience from last year,” she added.

Alderman Brandy Blanton, who voted for the festival permit, said, “I do believe there are people in our community who are diverse. And I think that we are welcoming community. I support this moving forward.”

Chris Gadd covers Williamson County for The Tennessean. He can be reached at cgadd@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Franklin Pride permit narrowly approved amid charged debate