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Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to the DN article of June 11 titled “Pride and Prejudice,” which focused on an obsolete ordinance being in conflict with the current rules set forth for the use of a particular county park and said park being rented out to a local LGBTQ group for a Pride event.
First of all, kudos to the DN, your choice of a headline for the article was spot on.
The solution is simple. Rewrite the ordinance or the park rules so that they align in such a fashion as to provide a safe open space to be utilized by anyone or group that wishes to do so, as long as said persons or groups follow any and all rules from application for use through cleanup of the park and adjoining area’s post celebration.
Two key points to remember while amending or rewriting the ordinance or park rules.
1. As per our State Constitution, as well as our Federal Constitution, the separation of church and state must be adhered to. Whilst those individuals or groups with conflicting opinions; be they religious or otherwise, have a right to freely express those opinions regarding what person or groups of persons have a right to rent out the park and use it for their particular event(s), that is all it should amount to, an expression of opinion and something used for or against any said group from utilization of said park.
2. Inclusiveness, not exclusiveness, should be a priority in our community and all public areas within our community. Those that may disagree have every right to express their opinion as such and or do so in their personal lives, personal homes, and or any particular religious organization they may belong to, although it seems counterintuitive for any religious organization to promote exclusiveness.
In closing, I would like to wish all the best for the Voices of Flat River Pride and all of those who attend the upcoming event in the park. Enjoy!
Gregory D. Krammen
Greenville
