LGBTQ Pride Event at Florida Church Spark Anger and Threats

NAPLES, FL — (05-21-22) — Shock is rocking Naples tonight as news of the upcoming Teen Pride event scheduled to be held at a Florida church on Saturday, has sparked public anger and protest threats from conservatives.

The Youth Pride Conference is geared toward students between the ages of 12 and 18. The event is being organized by GLSEN, a nonprofit focused on making schools more inclusive of LGBTQ youths, and it’s being hosted by the Naples United Church of Christ located at 5200 Crayton Rd, Naples, FL 34103.

With conservatives causing chaos and sparking threats towards LGBTQ youth over the upcoming PRIDE Event, Daniel Shaw, one of the event’s organizers has requested extra police protection.

Shaw said the controversy surrounding the event — particularly the planned drag show, led him to request extra protection from the Naples Police Department.

“This will obviously be a family-friendly event,” Shaw told NBC2 News. “It’s nothing I wouldn’t take my 3- and 4-year-old kids to.” said Shaw.

Watch NBC2 Local News Coverage on this Story

Saturday’s Pride event comes less than two months after right wing conservative Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, signed education legislation that has become known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The outrageous anti-LGBTQ measure, officially titled the Parental Rights in Education law, prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity “in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” It goes into effect July 1.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

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