World Courant
OWATONNA, Minn. (AP) – Members of an LGBTQ+ group are calling on the mayor of a southern Minnesota city to satisfy their calls for — or resign — after he requested pastors at a church internet hosting a Satisfaction occasion about stripper poles within the shrine and posted a public prayer alluding to “sin and brokenness” in the course of the occasion.
In a open letter Chatting with Mayor Tom Kuntz, a Republican, and the Owatonna Metropolis Council, Rainbowatonna organizer Nathan Black mentioned Kuntz used his elected place to harass and intimidate individuals concerned within the metropolis’s July 8 Satisfaction celebration, the star stand reported. The Satisfaction celebration included a service on the Related Church, pavilion festivities, and an after-party with a drag present on the Owatonna Arts Heart.
In his public letter, Black mentioned Kuntz spoke with pastors on the church about two weeks earlier than the service. He mentioned the mayor appeared upset and requested a number of “weird” questions, together with whether or not there can be stripper poles within the shrine. Black mentioned he turned involved concerning the mayor’s conduct solely later, when he found that Kuntz posted a prayer he had written on social media final month.
Within the prayer, Kuntz requested for knowledge in mild of upcoming public occasions “the place sin and brokenness can be celebrated and the place sexually specific acts can be normalized.” Kuntz didn’t title a selected occasion, however known as for prayer “till July 8,” in accordance with the Star Tribune.
Black initially known as for the mayor’s speedy resignation, saying, “There isn’t any place for homophobic bigotry in metropolis authorities.”
However Black advised The Related Press members of Rainbowatonna met Kuntz on Monday and scheduled one other assembly later this week. Group members are asking Kuntz for an apology “that acknowledges the impression of his actions,” together with variety and sensitivity coaching for the mayor and metropolis workers, Black mentioned.
Additionally they ask Kuntz to nominate a member of Rainbowatonna’s board of administrators to town’s human rights fee, amongst different issues.
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“If he meets these necessities, and we’re hopeful that he’ll, then we’ll withdraw that request,” mentioned Black.
An e mail to the mayor went unanswered on Monday.
However in a public response, Kuntz advised Black, “I did what I assumed was the fitting factor to do.”
He added: “It was not my intention to harass or intimidate anybody. My phrases have been mine and never town’s. I attempt to comply with my very own beliefs and beliefs each day, however I additionally acknowledge that different individuals have the fitting to comply with their very own beliefs and beliefs as effectively. … Please settle for my apologies.”
Kuntz, who has been mayor since 2004, mentioned he contacted Black and supplied to debate the matter. Final week, Kuntz confirmed elements of Black’s letter to the Owatonna Volkspers and mentioned, “Just a few individuals requested if there can be pole dancing, so I requested.”
He additionally mentioned he felt God wouldn’t approve of drag exhibits and homosexuality.
Minnesota mayor is underneath strain to resign or adjust to LGBTQ+ calls for after feedback about Satisfaction
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