Southlake City in Texas has denied the permit for the Pride Kel-So celebration for a planned event in October. This decision comes as the city council had granted a similar permit for this celebration last year.
City Council Meeting
At the city council meeting held on Tuesday, members unanimously voted to deny the celebration permit. Only two individuals spoke regarding the event, one in favor and the other against it. None of the city council members provided comments or asked questions of the organizers.
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April Drieson, one of the founders of this celebration, reacted to the decision by stating that she is still in shock and that the city council has not provided any explanation for their vote. She emphasized that last year the celebration was successfully held with 2,500 attendees.
Last Year's Celebration Experience
The Pride Kel-So celebration was established for the first time in 2025 and was held at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Southlake. This celebration, which has become a family festival for the LGBT community, was well-received with live music and various vendors.
Drieson also added that the organizers followed all recommendations and did not expect their permit to be denied without any comments or questions from the city council. She said, "If there were concerns, they were not raised."
Reverend Ellen Singer, the church's associate pastor, was the only person who spoke in support of the celebration, stating that the goal of this event is to bring the community closer together. She remarked, "It is clear that there is some conflict in the community, and the purpose of such events is to celebrate and unite people."
Claims of Discrimination
Reverend Alan Bentrop, the church leader, stated that he was traveling during the city council meeting but supports the celebration and wants to hold the event again. He emphasized, "We have stated from the beginning that we want to hold the Pride Kel-So celebration. We are ready and eager to host whatever we can."
Meanwhile, an individual who spoke against the celebration described the event as "immoral" and stated that it caused protests at the event. Bentrop noted that typically a single opposing voice cannot influence the city council's vote.
If the city council does not reconsider its decision, the celebration organizers announced that they may reduce the size of the celebration and limit the number of guests to 1,000. According to city regulations, any gathering of 1,000 or more requires a permit.
Drieson also stated that she and the other organizers of the celebration will "find a solution" and emphasized their determination to hold the celebration in one form or another. Pilar Shank, the city spokesperson, declined to comment on the matter and referred to the video of the city council meeting on September 15.
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Source: independent.co.uk
