Residents debate impact of Pride Festival during Owosso council public comment

Public comment at the Owosso City Council meeting on June 1 included both praise for the city's recent Pride Festival and critical calls from some residents.

Erica Matteson, identified in the minutes as a Pride Board member, thanked city staff and council and said the event "was a great event that really had an impact on those attending." In contrast, Arlene Caswell asked whether the city's standard for public performances is limited to "anything except the exposure of genitalia," saying "we must do better." Galen Ponder urged repentance and said those supporting the festival should "repent and turn to Christ." Patty VanLuven recounted that her daughter was repeatedly bullied for being gay and said the main perpetrator was later arrested for making plans to shoot up a school.

Tom Manke referenced family-friendly county events and later in the meeting said he would "dox any drag queen if there are pictures of them inappropriately touching a child." Councilmember Emily S. Olson read aloud an email from a resident who supported the Pride Festival and said it helps children see that differences are not to be feared. Mayor Pro-Tem Jerome C. Haber said not everyone on the council agreed with the festival and suggested people could "have their event but leave the children out of it."

The minutes record the exchanges as public comment; the council did not take formal action related to the festival at the June 1 meeting. Remarks included allegations and personal allegations about safety and misconduct; the minutes do not record factual substantiation of those allegations beyond the speakers' statements.