The Sumter SC Pride Festival is set for October 17, 11 am to 3 pm, at the Heath Pavilion, located at the Swan Lake Iris Gardens. This year’s event will have a first: a drag show.
That’s caused some negative response among a number of Sumter residents, especially members of some local churches.
Sumter, home to Shaw Air Force Base, is a relatively small town sitting on the border between the Midlands of South Carolina and the Pee Dee region. The Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of around 43,500.
Its first Pride Festival was held in 2022 and, for the most part, has not faced any major issues.
This year’s festival, however, has sparked some controversy.
At a September 14 meeting of the Sumter City Council, dozens of Sumter residents attended to speak either against or for the upcoming celebration’s inclusion of drag performances.
Dan Keaton, pastor of the well-known Harmony Church, told the council that “the drag show event next month is not an event that’s going to help our city flourish but could be objectively bad for our city.”
Another attendee quoted a passage from the Old Testament portion of the Bible.
“Deuteronomy 22.5 says a woman who dresses like a man and a man who dresses like a woman is an abomination to the Lord,” he said. “If we really stand by that statement, then we shouldn’t allow this thing to happen.”
A supporter made the point that “This event isn’t for everyone. If it’s not for you, then you can feel free to stay home.”
A letter to the city’s mayor and council from the ACLU of South Carolina expressed similar ideas.
“Residents are free to disagree with Sumter Pride, express their religious beliefs, and petition the government,” the letter stated. “Those freedoms belong to all of us. However, one group’s religious objections should not determine whether LGBTQ+ people may gather in a public park.”
Sumter Pride LLC, the organization sponsoring the event, said that the group has never received so much opposition in the past as it has this year.
Amanda Evelyn Price, who serves as the organization’s President, said in an interview for Columbia television station WIS, “This is about love and caring for each other. It’s not for throwing stones.”
As of this writing, there are no plans to shut down the event.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
