JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Paint the community rainbow.
The stage is certainly set for the Teton Pride Picnic this weekend. When PFLAG hosts its potluck picnic Saturday it will do so on the heels of a recent “game changer” dance party that drew hundreds of community members in support of the first-ever LGBTQ Pride Party at Pink Garter, and under the backdrop of town legislation poised to make Jackson the second municipality in the Equality State actually stating its inclusiveness in law.
A non-discrimination ordinance (NDO) that has been in the works for more than a year passed first reading last night with a unanimous vote. The LGBTQ+ community again rallied, and again voiced their challenges, fears and support for equality. Others spoke in opposition of the ordinance, claiming either government overreach or a legislated morality that runs counter to established religious beliefs of organizations and individuals.
Andrew Munz told the council Monday he came out when he was 21. It didn’t take him that long to know he was gay. It took him that long to convince himself it wasn’t a “problem” in the face of a culture that views heterosexuality as the default. And in Wyoming, there still exists palpable fear that being different is dangerous, Munz stated.
Munz organized the Pride Party with trepidation. The turnout—a reported 400-plus—flooded him with reassurance.
“Thankfully, your love and support filled that entire stage,” Munz wrote on Facebook. “I was filled with so much gratitude. We actually pulled it off, and I’m so happy you all had such a good time. I mean, come on! We had shirtless men making out to pop music on a Jackson, Wyoming stage!”
It was a watershed moment, alright. A turning point where marginalized group suddenly felt empowered enough, safe enough, to ask they be treated with respect and dignity.
Gay old time at Town Hall
On to town hall they marched, determined to make sure the council followed through with the first reading of an NDO that Munz said, “is an opportunity to flip the script.”
While heavily outnumbered, those opposed to the ordinance also made the meeting.
Pastor Tim Moyer of the Emmanuel Bible Church of Star Valley in Thayne voiced his opposition to the ordinance Monday night. Moyer said tolerance is a two-way street and he should be able to feel “free to practice his faith without facing government intrusion.”
Moyer also referenced the Amish and how the federal government allows them to conscientiously object to certain standards and norms.
Rev. David Bott of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jackson said the ordinance was a “direct violation of the First Amendment” and called “homosexuality a sin before God.”
Don Landis, of the Community Bible Church, said, “We Christians are told everyday we can’t legislate morality yet here you are doing that. The ordinance states this is something ‘good’ for our community. That is assuming and imposing a morality.”
Pam Walton declared herself a Christian and said, “I have friends who are gay. I love them. I pray for them. I consider what they do a sin. But we all sin. I do love gay people, I just don’t agree with them.”
She suggested more prayer was in order.
Others suggested an ordinance would have more teeth.
Sabrina King, policy director of the ACLU of Wyoming, assured town leaders that the ordinance would hold up despite a recent Supreme Court ruling in the Colorado cake-maker case.
“That was a very narrow decision and not about or based on whether these NDOs are constitutional or unconstitutional,” King said. “This ordinance supports and fits the town of Jackson.”
Matt Stech referenced the meeting’s opening with the Pledge of Allegiance, which states, “…liberty and justice for all.”
“Are all people deserving of respect or just some? Are all people equal or not?” Stech asked the council.
“The community is not complete until all feel safe and welcome,” Turner Resor added.
How they voted
Hailey Morton Levinson became uncharacteristically flustered Monday night, saying, “I’m morally choosing to have a more inclusive community. I think about parents and being a new mom…” the council woman held back tears and apologized for getting emotional. “I hope that in 20 years my kids don’t have to worry about discrimination for whoever they are, and I hope this step today helps that.”
Jim Stanford stated, “I can say with no equivocation that I favor equal protection under the law for winged creatures of every kind.”
Don Frank prefaced his remarks stating in his mind there could only be equal, not more equal or less equal.
“We all live under a social contract that says we will not do harm to each other. The question is not violence but discrimination,” Frank began. He then added, “And I’m going to say something that’s difficult for me but I have to say it in order to satisfy my own sense of morality. There’s a difference between freedom of your belief and the opportunity to impose your belief on somebody else. And that distinction is addressed by a non-discrimination ordinance.”
Mayor Pete Muldoon called some of the arguments made in opposition of the ordinance “troubling,” saying he heard the same rhetoric by those who wanted to continue Jim Crow: People equating laws that ensured all people were treated equally somehow infringed on their freedom of expression or religion.
“I know there are some people who still believe that. I think most of us have moved on. I see little difference here. I know that the question is now, ‘Well, that’s a slippery slope. Where will it end? Will it lead to protecting and extending protections to all vulnerable members of our society?’ I hope so,” Muldoon said.
Bob Lenz had no comment he wanted to express.
The council voted 5-0 to pass the NDO on first reading. Second reading is scheduled for the town’s regular meeting on July 2.
Jackson PFLAG is hosting the annual Teton Pride Picnic on Saturday, June 23 from 3:30 to 5:30pm, at Mike Yokel Park Picnic Pavilion, 455 East Kelly Street. It will be a potluck gathering and participants are encouraged to bring food to share.
Mark Houser, Jackson PFLAG coordinator stated, “We have seen a significant shift recently around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, including marriage equality and local movement towards adopting a non-discrimination ordinance for the Town of Jackson. Last year, Jackson had nearly 100 people attend our Pride event. We look forward to even greater participation this year.”
PFLAG promotes the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through support and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights.
