Cocky Divine and Dymond Denae will be performing in downtown Grand Haven. The City of Grand Haven is hosting its first pride festival June 10, 2023 and many citizens are not supportive of the decision. Although most people do not care what is done in a private venue, many are concerned that sex will be on display in the heart of the city.
They are concerned by the city’s support of an event that is offensive to many people, and they are concerned that there will be a location for children to meet and talk to drag queens.
Along with Cocky Divine and Dymond Denae, Veronica Scott, DeeDee Chaunte, and Reba Rose Rau are scheduled to perform.
Here is a video of Cocky Divine.
This is Veronica Scott.
Many citizens voiced their concerns over the pride festival at the May 15, 2023 Grand Haven City Council Meeting.
Pastor Nate Parsekian of Norton Shores stated,
“A large group of people with traditional Christian values see a pride flag and pride festival being openly supported by the city as offensive. It is offensive to us. It is equally offensive as that cross was to whatever group of people thought it should be taken down.”
“We understand that this is a free country. That’s what makes this place so great. We love that people have the freedom to express themselves. It’s when these kinds of things are being endorsed by the city itself, when flags are flying on city hall, when things are put on the public space, then we see that this is more than just a private group of people, enjoying their rights. Now it’s something that’s being promoted and pushed onto the larger community, and I think that’s why we’re so offended.”
The festival will take place on Saturday, June 10th in downtown Grand Haven on the waterfront by Lynn Sherwood stadium; a place that is commonly frequented by families enjoying ice cream. Several local families and businesses are event sponsors including Rev. Jared Cramer from St. John’s Episcopal Church, the main sponsor of the event.
If you believe this city-sponsored event is inappropriate for children, please let your voice be heard. As the silent majority remains quiet, our city continues down the road to red-light district notoriety.