The Springfield City Council voted 8-1 to pass a resolution of support for the LGBTQ community at its June 5 meeting, days before the annual Ozarks Pridefest, some components of which have drawn controversy from some local politicians.
Specifically, the measure affirms the City Council’s commitment in applying the Five Pillars of Change laid out in the 2022 Mayor’s Initiative on Equity and Equality Report to constituents from the LGBTQ community and exhibit its dedication to collaborate with all citizens, including LGBTQ community members, “to improve the culture of inclusion and belonging in Springfield.”
The resolution was sponsored by council members Monica Horton, Heather Hardinger, Craig Hosmer and Brandon Jenson. After a public hearing which featured 14 speakers, and some debate among council members, the measure passed 8-1, with Councilmember Derek Lee as the only “no” vote.
“The intent of [the resolution] is to recognize, celebrate, and acknowledge the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community who have made significant strides to make Springfield an amazing place to live, work and invest, often in the face of undue harassment, discrimination, and violence,” Hardinger told the Springfield Daily Citizen ahead of the meeting.
“As our queer community celebrates Pride Month, it is my hope that this resolution honors Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ citizens and encourages the greater community to foster inclusive dialogue and increase understanding, while building cultural consciousness and meaningful relationships.”
What are the Five Pillars of Change?
In 2021, the Springfield City Council voted unanimously to form the Mayor’s Initiative on Equity and Equality in response to the death of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis.
The initiative established an 18-member group that was tasked with developing “guiding principles to improve equitable access to opportunities, recognizing the inherent dignity, value and worth of each individual.”
In 2022, the group developed five “pillars of change,” and accompanying guidelines for each one:
- Dialogue and understanding
- Seeking and listening to diverse thoughts respectfully;
- Fostering a culture of mutual learning through continual dialogue and education.
- Cultural consciousness
- Developing awareness of our own existing biases;
- Understanding, valuing and respecting diversity.
- Advocacy and partnerships
- Cultivating inclusive partnerships to increase intentional and effective collaboration;
- Welcoming diverse voices and advocating for the underrepresented and the disenfranchised.
- Structural and systemic barriers
- Identifying and removing diversity, equity and inclusion barriers;
- Refining policies and implementing practices to protect the rights of every member of our community.
- Personal and organizational accountability
- Inspiring, modeling and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion excellence;
- Honoring individuals and organizations that demonstrate accountability for fostering an inclusive community.
In addition to affirming that the five pillars apply to the LGBTQ community, the resolution from June 5 also formally recognizes June as Pride Month (which it is already recognized as nationally), denounces discrimination and exclusion experiences by Springfield’s LGBTQ community and acknowledges their contributions to the city.
Former colleagues spar amid passionate pitches for and against resolution
Several recurring themes for and against the LGBTQ support resolution surfaced in comments from speakers during the public hearing portion at Monday’s City Council meeting. Proponents argued the measure was a necessary first step in supporting the LGBTQ community, while some opponents argued it doesn’t align with their religious values and fosters division in the city.
Kyler Sherman-Wilkins, the president of the GLO Center, a Springfield-based nonprofit that serves the Ozarks’ LGBTQ community, said the resolution is a “bare minimum,” and asked that a task force be formed to study “the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ population here in our state.”
In response to Sherman-Wilkins’ request, Hardinger suggested the council reopen a subcommittee that was previously formed under the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations that focused on LGBTQ issues.
Calvin Morrow, the executive director for Springfield-based Christians Uniting for Political Action, said that a consequence of the resolution would be that it would create more division and that “liberty to disagree and freedom of thought will also take a back seat.”
Morrow compared the resolution to the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity ordinance, otherwise known as SOGI, a measure passed by the City Council in 2014 which sought to eliminate discrimination of individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
SOGI was repealed by voters in 2015.
“The resolution proposed today appears to be of the same nature with the same potential,” Morrow said.
“Springfield is a welcoming city where people from all backgrounds and orientations enjoy the same opportunities and to assume otherwise would be a mischaracterization of the wonderful people of Springfield,” Morrow went on.
Morrow was one of several residents who were opposed to the resolution due, in part, to their Christian faith.
Manuel Gonzalez said that he feels threatened and unsafe as a “heterosexual, born again, spirit-filled, Evangelical Christian” who cannot express his ideas about marriage, family and sex without being called names.
“Why do we need five pillars?” he asked. “We have the Declaration of Independence. We have the Constitution of the United States of America. We have the constitution of the great state of Missouri and we have the laws of this wonderful city. Why do we need five pillars? My personal opinion is we don’t.”
Liz Wertz, a recent Missouri State University graduate, said that the “lack of support in important areas such as diversity, equity and inclusion” was a prevalent factor amongst her former classmates in determining whether or not they want to stay in Springfield. Wertz argued the resolution could be the first step in helping the city attract and retain college graduates.
Jeremy Dean, a former candidate for Springfield City Council, said discrimination against the LGBTQ community could not be overlooked and pointed to the “significant” role of LGBTQ community members in making Springfield a “welcoming place to visit, live, work and play.”
Roy Holland, a former Missouri state representative who served alongside Hosmer in the General Assembly, said that the resolution is “anti-family” and “anti-community” in a statement of opposition.
Holland referred to the measure as addressing a “vocal minority issue” and said “this culture has invaded all aspects of our society.”
Lee prevents unanimous Council support for resolution
Seven of the eight council members who voted for the measure voiced their reasoning for supporting it, with several agreeing more needs to be done.
“This shouldn’t be a hard vote for most people on Council,” Hosmer said. “It has nothing to do with drag shows or bathrooms or the Bible or anything else… It says that we encourage inclusion and diversity in this community. It says that we treat other people fair. That is not difficult to vote for.”
Hosmer argued against using the Bible to oppose the resolution, saying the Bible can be used for a lot of different arguments, and has been used to segregate Black people in the past. That comment prompted the loudest public display of the night from opponents of the resolution. Mayor Ken McClure threatened to clear the council chambers with any further outbursts.
“I don’t agree with that,” Hosmer said. “You can have a strange reading of the Bible to support a lot of things.”
Hardinger, who is also the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at CoxHealth, reiterated her desire to have the subcommittee dedicated to addressing LGBTQ issues reopened.
“There’s so much that we can learn by listening,” Hardinger said. “As a city, our commitment to equity and equality urges us ‘to make Springfield more inclusive and improve equitable access to opportunities for all’… When we say all we need to mean all.”
Lee was in agreement with several aspects of the measure, but without supporting the full resolution. He denounced discrimination against the LGBTQ community and acknowledged its members’ contributions to Springfield.
“Members of this body want us to ignore the divisive history of this issue, and then look at anything other than full support as lacking in love for the LGBTQ+ community,” Lee said.
McClure, who identifies as a Christian, said he would have preferred, and was prepared to offer a resolution “that simply states Springfield is a welcoming community for all regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or political affiliation and desire for fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging.”
However, the mayor ultimately concluded that such a move would create further division.
McClure also voiced concerns over the “end game” and said that he wants the Springfield City Council to stay out of social issues. Nonetheless, McClure encouraged compromise and voiced his support for the “chronically underserved” LGTBQ community ahead of casting his vote in support of the resolution.
Resolution falls during Pride Month, ahead of annual celebration
The passage of the measure by council members falls during Pride Month, and days before the annual Ozarks Pridefest is set to take place in downtown Springfield. This is the first year Ozarks Pridefest has been held in June since prior to the pandemic. It has been held in October in recent years so as to not conflict with Juneteenth, according to past reporting.
This year, Ozarks Pridefest will occur on Saturday, June 10, and Juneteenth celebrations will primarily take place the following week.
Pridefest will feature a parade, beginning at the Springfield Municipal Court and ending at Park Central Square. In addition, Ozarks Pridefest will feature vendors, live music from the Men’s Chorus of the Ozarks and drag performances. Crystal Methyd, a drag performer from Springfield who competed in season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, will headline the celebration on the square at 4 p.m. and an after party at Odyssey Lounge at the Outland Complex at 9 p.m.
Private security and volunteers from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office will provide security for the events, according to organizers of Ozarks Pridefest.
More details on the festivities are available on the event’s website.
Pridefest draws controversy, questions from local politicians
The scheduled events have been subject to criticism from local politicians, primarily regarding the drag performances slated to take place in public spaces and the involvement of government entities.
The City of Springfield and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department are listed as an ally sponsor and an advocate sponsor, respectively, for Ozarks Pridefest.
City of Springfield spokesperson Cora Scott said in a statement to the Daily Citizen that both entities obtained entry-level sponsorships to be able to provide service information, but, “it is not the intent of these functions to support or oppose any specific activities these or any organizations may hold during such community events.”
Scott added both the health department and human resources, “historically take advantage of events that are expected to attract a large turnout.”
Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, and state representatives Darin Chappell, who represents eastern Greene County, and Jamie Gragg, who represents portions of Ozark and northeast Christian County, have vocalized their opposition to some of the components of Ozarks Pridefest on social media.
“While some concern may have been expressed by those who disagree with events of this nature, I doubt there would have been near the concern that has already been expressed had the event taken place at a private indoor venue, rather than an outdoor venue on display to all,” a Facebook post from Schoeller reads.
In her statement, Scott said since the city began permitting Pridefest in 2015, including past events that have included drag shows, there has been no public indecency violations.
“It is our experience that drag performers, much like those in theatrical plays, tailor their performances to the audiences expected,” she said. “Organizers have in the past, and are promoting again this year, that this is a family-friendly event. We have no reason to expect any problems.”
In his post, Schoeller, who is running for Secretary of State in 2024, expressed concern over the amount of tax dollars being used by governmental entities to sponsor Pridefest.
“I do not understand why these governmental entities have chosen to sponsor these events with our taxpayer dollars, when it is without question a very sensitive and controversial cultural issue,” he wrote.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, Lee voiced similar concerns over the city’s sponsorship of Ozarks Pridefest, and of the resolution’s inclusion of recognizing Pride Month and the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations recommendation for city leaders to “look for ways — festivals, events, celebrations of all kinds — to celebrate diversity.”
Lee referenced the drag performances and the Men’s Chorus of the Ozarks, which he referred to as “provocative.”
“I don’t know how we separate celebrating Pridefest as a council with many people who wouldn’t take their children there,” Lee said.
In response to these concerns, Hardinger argued the resolution did not include some of Lee’s concerns over specific components of this year’s Pridefest events.
In her statement, Scott said the only taxpayer funds used for the events are the cost of the booths, which McClure said were $250 each.
McClure reiterated components of Scott’s statement at the June 5 City Council meeting, asserting that the city is “not a sponsor” of the event, and noted the educational benefits of having a government entity like the health department present at Pridefest.
Springfield resolution comes amid attempts to restrict gender-affirming health care in Missouri
While the measure doesn’t directly address access to transgender health care, the resolution was brought before Springfield council members as legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors and ending Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming care for adults, as well as a bill preventing transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams awaits Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s signature.
The passage of Senate Bill 49 by state lawmakers prompted the withdrawal of an emergency rule from Attorney General Andrew Bailey, which sought to restrict access to gender-affirming care for adults as well as minors.
Bailey’s rule was never enacted, having been met with judicial restraints and lawsuits at its outset, but was ultimately meant to serve as a stop gap until legislators passed a ban of their own.
(Photo by Jym Wilson)
Even with the termination of Bailey’s order, transgender residents in Springfield are weighing their future in Missouri.
In response to the legislation, other Missouri municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, have sought to establish themselves as safe havens and promote gender-affirming health care.
Hosmer said for him, the Springfield City Council’s resolution wasn’t a direct response to the legislation passed in Jefferson City, but meant to affirm support for the LGBTQ community and oppose discrimination. For Horton, the measure is about maintaining local control over the narrative of being a “welcoming community.”
Editor’s Note: “LGBTQ” is recommended term of use by The Associated Press Stylebook, which the Springfield Daily Citizen follows. Alternative uses were used in this story to accurately reflect what sources said and/or wrote in statements.
