A church in Jacksonville, Florida, has saved the day for over 100 LGBTIQ+ teens who were left disappointed after their local library cancelled its 'Storybook Pride Prom' event due to safety concerns.
Concerned by from a conservative blogger, who reportedly galvanised a group of supporters to inundate the library with threatening phone calls, Willowbranch Library made the tough decision to call off the queer youth event.
However, the Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church was quick to step up, offering to host the prom night.
The church board was reportedly unanimous in their decision to offer space for the event.
“It was the right thing to do,” Grace Repass, Buckman Bridge’s former president, told .
“The LGBTQI+ youth in our community deserve to have their prom and we wanted to support them.”
She continued: “We see our church as a safe place for people who are figuring out who they are. Our Unitarian Universalist values call us to respect the inherent worth and dignity of every person. So, it’s a matter of integrity - to act in alignment with who we say we are.”
According to 50 volunteers, Jacksonville Sheriff’s officers, local LGBTIQ+ people, and private security guards all came together to ensure the event was safe and went off without a hitch.
“The inside was so positive and electric,” BeBe Deluxe, a drag queen who was involved in the event, told the news station.
“Everyone was smiling. Lots of mums were crying happy tears. There were kids dancing, laughing and socialising as if nothing had even happened that week. The kids were dancing and laughing and making new friends. Heard from proud mums that some of the youth had never met another gay person their age before and this event helped them make friends.”
