WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.319 Good evening, everybody. UH been a call the workshop meeting 2 00:00:03.359 --> 00:00:06.559 the barcol Barbsolle City Council to order tonight. Uh, I 3 00:00:06.559 --> 00:00:08.839 wanna welcome everybody. We've got a lot of people here 4 00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:12.919 tonight to speak. Want everybody get their three minutes in. 5 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:16.039 If you're hearing comments that UH people have said before, 6 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:18.600 be as expetitious as you can. If you wanna still 7 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:20.640 come up and introduce yourself to us and let us 8 00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:22.559 know who you are and have your comments to be made. 9 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:25.640 Bring him forward. We look forward to hearing him. Let's 10 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:27.440 have a nice civil conversation tonight. 11 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:28.120 Uh. 12 00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:31.160 We've had these conversations before. We appreciate everybody bringing your 13 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:32.719 comments back here to night and we'll work room as 14 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:35.560 quickly as you can to night. Uh. I wanna call uh, 15 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:37.759 We'll call establishment in a forum. 16 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:41.880 Hey La, Mayor Kurt here, nice mayor force hee er, 17 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:43.439 mister Patch. 18 00:00:43.479 --> 00:00:45.200 Here, mister east here. 19 00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:50.520 Mister Sherry, please have a conflict or something I think 20 00:00:50.600 --> 00:00:51.520 so very good? 21 00:00:51.719 --> 00:00:55.439 Item three, Uh invocation of ask uh Uh councilor Kirk 22 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:58.159 Patrick pet give our invcation night, appreciate it if you would, 23 00:00:58.159 --> 00:00:58.560 thanks sure. 24 00:00:58.679 --> 00:00:59.320 Let's pray. 25 00:01:01.960 --> 00:01:02.159 Lord. 26 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:03.880 Do we ask that your spirit of unity and peace 27 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:06.599 would be upon us tonight. We know that these are 28 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:11.239 deep waters. We know that these are emotionally high topics. 29 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:14.599 We know that every single one of us is coming 30 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:19.359 into this conversation with our perspective, with our values, with 31 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:21.760 the things that we care deeply about, and the people 32 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:22.799 that we care deeply about. 33 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:25.640 Lord, help us to keep each. 34 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:30.319 Other firmly in mind. May we be focused on the 35 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:33.079 good of our community. May that be the thing that 36 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:37.239 we were wrestling together towards the betterment of our community, 37 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:40.879 even through our disagreements. So may these conversations be productive, 38 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:43.079 May they be healthy, and may they be helpful. We 39 00:01:43.159 --> 00:01:44.599 pray in Jesus name, Amen. 40 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:50.200 Very good. I remember four citizens to be heard. So 41 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:53.159 we've got people in here and people next door. So 42 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:55.640 I'm gonna call the first two names as best I can. 43 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:57.239 So if they're in there, they can come into the 44 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:02.799 hallway and be ready. Mispronounced several of 'em. So don't 45 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:04.599 yell at me. If I do, just correct me and 46 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:06.560 we'll we'll get those people up here and have those 47 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:09.520 uh help them speak to us. So first two people 48 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:12.680 are Avan Higgs and Angela Wiley. 49 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:15.840 Alright, and your name. 50 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:19.120 Thank you for thank your city Council and Mayor. 51 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:22.479 My name is Avery Higgs A V E R Y 52 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:25.879 H I ggs for my friends in the media for 53 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:31.960 the back. I am with the Washington County Democratic Party 54 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:33.479 as the affirm of Action. 55 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:36.400 Officer in Bars of Oklahoma. 56 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:40.400 Proposed drag regulations directly violate the First Amendment of the 57 00:02:40.439 --> 00:02:42.919 Constitution of the United States and the First Amendment of 58 00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:50.560 Oklahoma's Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of speech and expression. 59 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:54.960 Drag performances, like any other forms of artistic expression, are 60 00:02:55.000 --> 00:03:02.120 protected under the bow of rights. These show ye how. 61 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:05.800 Are a way to. 62 00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:10.879 For individuals to communicate ideas, childd e terratorypes and celebrate 63 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:17.560 creativity after bending, blending humor, performancing, performance, art, and cultural commentary. 64 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:19.439 Thank you for good Thank you. 65 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:26.400 Angela Wiley him my name is Angela Utley U T 66 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:28.439 L E Y. 67 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:31.479 And I came here to talk about UH. 68 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:34.719 I have two trans people in my family, both for 69 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:36.919 homeschool conservative homeschools. 70 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:39.199 On my aud you know they were. 71 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:43.400 The culture did not affect them in this way. 72 00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:46.919 I believe in by science. 73 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:51.599 That being transgender is a physical, biological fact, you know, 74 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:55.680 and definitely in these two paces I think it's a 75 00:03:55.680 --> 00:04:01.199 misnomer to say otherwise, and maybe symmetric patient might help. 76 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:05.080 As far as the drag shows, I believe it's a 77 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:09.080 freedom of expression. They wear many different layers of clothes. 78 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.080 Some of the things I've seen online and through some 79 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:17.560 of my fellow citizens have been alarming, and I'm quite 80 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:22.360 disgusted by the behaviors some of the ulter conservative people. 81 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:26.759 I believe Bartisville should be a safe environment for all. 82 00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:30.800 I believe it is a safe environment with the drag shows. 83 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:33.240 In the way they've been presented. 84 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:37.720 So UH, I wanna keep my time short, but I'm 85 00:04:37.720 --> 00:04:42.519 definitely invested in my family in Bartisville, in Oklahoma. 86 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:43.879 If for the safety of everyone. 87 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:47.000 So with that, I'm concluded, and thank you for hearing me, 88 00:04:47.160 --> 00:04:49.800 Mayor in the council people of this room. 89 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:51.879 Thank thank you for good Thank you. 90 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:54.680 Uh. 91 00:04:54.800 --> 00:04:57.240 The next two will be UH Lachelle Griffin and UH 92 00:04:57.319 --> 00:04:59.240 Reverend Kelly beck Beckermer What. 93 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:02.079 HI first? 94 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:04.759 Before I start, I would like to mis tell everybody 95 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:08.920 in this room. I love people in general, so I disagree. 96 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:14.800 It's because of my own life experiences. But anyhow, and 97 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:17.600 I appreciate you, counselmen. I'm just struggling disagree with you 98 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:22.240 right now, and I'm about to tell you what great 99 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:26.399 proposal for regulation of drag events and public spaces. The 100 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:29.240 purpose of this proposal is to request the city council's 101 00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:33.319 consideration a reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on public 102 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:37.680 drag events, especially those involving children. This is grounded in 103 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:41.319 legal precedent, community standards, and a concern for the welfare 104 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:46.199 of children and the dignity of women that those times 105 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:49.519 of places should not involve common property such as schools, parks, 106 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:53.480 or other properties held in common First Amendment Time, place, 107 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:57.519 and manner restrictions. The First Amendment allows for reasonable restrictions 108 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:00.439 on the time and place and manner of speech. US 109 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:04.319 Supreme Court decision and Cox versus New Hampshire nineteen forty 110 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:08.959 one established that such restrictions are conditionally permissible. What the 111 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:15.120 First Amendment does not allow. The First Amendment doesn't allow 112 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:21.639 speech that incites illegal activity or violence. We've had city 113 00:06:21.720 --> 00:06:27.360 councilors against drag threatened with acts of violence. Billy Rode 114 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:34.839 Trevor Dorsey both received attacks, and we have new attacks 115 00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:39.120 coming towards our two newest counselors, our third one doesn't 116 00:06:39.160 --> 00:06:46.360 seem to be heard of one also defamation. You cannot 117 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:50.240 defeme people. There's alabel in a standard. There's much with 118 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:55.639 drag that defames women as provocative dancers. 119 00:06:58.160 --> 00:06:59.959 Obscenity does not allowed. 120 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:04.639 The average person would find the material appeals to interests 121 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:10.600 when you hand out dollar bills to tip. The material 122 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:19.959 depicts sexual contact in paternively offensive way. Material lacks serious, literary, artistic, political, 123 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:23.519 or scientific value. We can easily attest that the average 124 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:28.040 person would view Drey to have purient interest. Number four 125 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:34.800 child exploitation and obscene material involving minors New York versus 126 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:37.920 Favor in nineteen eighty two. You can also look. 127 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:38.839 At Miller. 128 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:45.240 Funding words speech that is personally abusive and likely to 129 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:49.600 provoke an immediately violent response. Nope, the threats The city 130 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:54.519 councils has received true threats speech that constitutes a truth threat, 131 00:07:55.040 --> 00:08:00.279 such as threats of violence against specific groups. The City 132 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:03.160 Council on September third, twenty twenty five voted that this 133 00:08:03.319 --> 00:08:06.560 event brings a threat to the community and ordered police 134 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:07.399 to be president of. 135 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:10.360 The event, so they set up presidents. 136 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:17.959 Then I was personally threatened online for disagreement with this stuff. 137 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:21.560 Threatened to be abused, and I've already part of the 138 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:25.560 reason up against it is because of grooming. 139 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.720 I experienced it personally. 140 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:34.279 I show you're three minutes through and can you wrap 141 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:34.559 it up? 142 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.519 Yep? I can't. 143 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:35.879 Okay. 144 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:40.639 So, by understanding with the First Amendment. 145 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:43.080 Does not a lot of governments and communities can responsibly 146 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:49.600 regulate public events or speech while still respectfully respecting constitutional rights. 147 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:53.440 This retort proposal is not an attack on any specific group, 148 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:56.759 but a call to uphold community values, protect children, and 149 00:08:56.919 --> 00:09:01.039 ensure public events are conducted responsibly where respectfully. 150 00:09:01.159 --> 00:09:01.919 Urish the city. 151 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:05.919 Council to consider the fooling required drag events to be 152 00:09:05.960 --> 00:09:10.720 held indoors and charge security fees to your organizers. Prohibit 153 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:16.039 children from attending drag events in public spaces. Align regulations 154 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:21.679 with existing community standards. I've sent you, guys an attachment 155 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:25.120 that clearly outlines all of that, and I will make. 156 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:28.759 It publicly available on Facebook for people to yell at me. 157 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:43.559 Kelly Becker, and after her will be Hillary clumpland okay, 158 00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:48.360 and then Spencer Bradley. Bradley if they're next door, excuse. 159 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:50.879 Me, go ahead, what do you mean, I'm reverend Kelly Becker. 160 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:55.399 I appreciate so much your uh willingness to listen to 161 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:57.159 the citizens on this issue. 162 00:09:58.039 --> 00:10:00.159 Some of you have heard me talk about this for 163 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:03.919 and so uh my opinions won't be new to you. 164 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:06.879 I UH think that. 165 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:16.679 My frustration with this entire conversation in Bartlesville is that 166 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:21.039 of four years, drag queens have been part of Pride. 167 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:24.639 Celebrations, not only in Bartlesville but all over the country. 168 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:29.919 And this became a problem in Bartlesville during a campaign. 169 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:34.080 Uh and uh someone who was running for city council 170 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:39.519 used this issue to divide the community and quite frankly, 171 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:43.320 we haven't recovered since we've been arguing about this for 172 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:44.200 two years. 173 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:50.799 People are are being threatened over it. I have been threatened. 174 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:53.879 Members of my church have been threatened. Our church has 175 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:58.440 been protested. And so when we talk about we're we 176 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:02.559 wanna have a civilized conversation around this, I don't think 177 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:04.559 there's a problem having a civilized conversation. 178 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:06.840 We've been trying to do that for a couple of years. 179 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:11.960 But I don't want us to forget that drag is 180 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:18.600 part of the LGBTQIA plus culture and has been forever. 181 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:24.639 That's not the problem. The LGBTQ plus community is not 182 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:29.360 the problem. Drag queens are not the problem. The problem 183 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:31.559 is a lack of hospitality for. 184 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:35.159 People who are different from us, and that is what 185 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:36.399 we need to address. 186 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:40.399 And I really really hope that that would be something 187 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:44.919 that the city Council would think about as you are 188 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:48.799 making decisions about ordinances and about the way in which 189 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:51.840 we should proceed. I would hope that you would have 190 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:54.200 in mind that some of us who have been part 191 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:58.320 of this conversation for years have been getting threats for years. 192 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:01.240 Some of us who have been part of this conversation 193 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:04.440 for years have spent a lot of time talking to 194 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:08.000 other people and trying to understand other viewpoints, and so 195 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:14.480 I I ask you to keep in mind the unity 196 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:18.159 of our city and to keep in mind that we 197 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:22.159 all have work to do listening to one another kids. 198 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:26.879 But I think the problem is the lack of hospitality 199 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:29.440 for people who disagree with us, and I hope that 200 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:30.399 you will address it. 201 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:41.279 That it's Hillary, Yeah, it's Hillary Camp. You're good. 202 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.799 I think you very tight. 203 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:47.240 I love living in bartles Hilly. Do I think we 204 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:49.399 have a really special place here on the prairie. We 205 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:51.360 have a beautiful study. 206 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:52.919 We have lovely neighbors do. 207 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:56.320 We have a vibrant community that is growing and thriving, 208 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:59.240 and we are truly at our best when we make 209 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:02.679 space for everyone in our in our community. And I 210 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:05.519 see on UH the an upcoming discussion point on the 211 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:09.919 agenda as relating to adult oriented entertainment in public spaces, 212 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:13.000 and so if we're going to talk about adult oriented 213 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:16.799 entertainment in public spaces, I really wanna address that as 214 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:19.120 a member of the Bartisvilla. 215 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:22.720 Quality Board, because we do have UH public drag performances 216 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.279 as part of our Pride celebrations. 217 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:28.000 As a mother of two boys who I love very 218 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:30.559 much and I've always been very careful of and how. 219 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:34.120 I raise them, I I wanna speak to the adult 220 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:36.159 oriented nature of. 221 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:40.279 Of what we're being accused of doing in public because 222 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:43.000 our drive performance as a Pride that our public and 223 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:47.279 open to children are not adult themed whatsoever. It's an 224 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:50.840 the same level of UH someone in a costume as 225 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:52.320 you would see when you go to six Golds and 226 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:54.399 watch the Batman Show when there's someone on a zip 227 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:58.200 line and tights. I grew up watching Adam West arguably 228 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:58.960 the best Batman, and. 229 00:13:58.960 --> 00:13:59.960 I don't want to hear anything about it. 230 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:03.519 Valve Kilmer Batman is one of my very favorites, and 231 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:06.360 so when you look at the drag performances that we're. 232 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:08.039 Doing in public with children, it. 233 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:11.879 Would do the same as when people in superhero costumes 234 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.840 go to Children's UH. 235 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.240 Cancer Awards, for example. 236 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.320 Like it's that same level of costuming and play. 237 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:20.519 It's just a little bit different colors it's and I 238 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:22.440 don't think we can get hung up on the color 239 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:26.519 of tight someone's wearing when they're UH performing in in 240 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.679 an appropriate way. 241 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:31.679 So this last this last Pride, we were very careful 242 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:33.039 in our selection of music. 243 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:35.919 It was all radio edits. We were very careful, and 244 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:39.320 the movements that the drag Queens UH performed, we were 245 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:42.120 all very careful because so many of us have children 246 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:44.399 and we wanna make sure that we aren't doing anything 247 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:47.240 inappropriate because we do understand children. My background is in 248 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:50.639 theater and costuming, and so this is d just another 249 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:56.320 expression of play. And so I just I really want 250 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:59.200 to push back on the idea that the drag performances 251 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:03.039 that Barnesville Whality is hosted in public our adult oriented, 252 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:05.840 because they truly have not been and You've been very 253 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:08.360 careful about that. Do we have twenty one and over 254 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:11.159 events that are drive focused? Of course, would we ever 255 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:14.440 let a child and that obviously not, But that's not 256 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:17.120 what this is. So I just encourage you to consider 257 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:21.159 that as we move forward and make space for this beautiful, 258 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:25.080 vibrant community to be a good neighborhood for everybody, including 259 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:27.919 the people who rely on the expression of drive to 260 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:31.519 uh feel welcome and accepted in this community. 261 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:34.039 So thank you so much for your time, and I 262 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.480 really do appreciate. 263 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:44.600 Good Thank you, thank you. Uh that's your brandly Brandly, Yeah, 264 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:49.399 thank you, and behind him will be uh Noah Meadows, 265 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:54.720 let's see. Thanks. I've heard of this brandly. 266 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:57.159 It was my first time coming since I was a 267 00:15:57.519 --> 00:16:00.720 boy scout, so that was a really borning meeting you 268 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.559 more excited. 269 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.600 I have a statement. 270 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:10.840 Drag performances are a form of artistic expression that celebrate creativity, inclusivity, 271 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:15.200 and self expression. The proposed ordinance claims to protect children, 272 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:18.679 but it raises serious concerns about free speech and parental rights. 273 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:22.120 I went to the drag performance. It was my first 274 00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:25.879 one I'd ever gone to this last this last summer. 275 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.240 It was fun. 276 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.360 I was there with my four children. 277 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:32.919 We go to Bartlesville schools. We live in this community. 278 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:35.080 We go to the parks, and we also went to 279 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.080 the drag performance. 280 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:37.159 It was a lot of fun. 281 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:40.639 They danced, they sang, we had some treats. There was 282 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:45.440 a bounce house. It wasn't dangerous. Nobody was groomed. In fact, 283 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:47.200 you could all look it up right now. See if 284 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:49.080 you've ever found a case. 285 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:53.200 Of grooming at a drag event or anything crime. 286 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.240 Related at a drag event. 287 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:56.679 Kay, there's just not evidence for that. 288 00:16:57.080 --> 00:17:00.720 It doesn't happen. So I am all four protecting children. 289 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:02.639 Like I said, I have four of them. 290 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:09.079 But this this proposal, Sorry I got off script, this proposal. 291 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.319 I'm sorry, I don't have the I don't have it 292 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:18.000 right up with me. It was basically saying that we're 293 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:20.200 worried that maybe the kids would feel bad about themselves 294 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:23.119 and get depressed if they saw a drag report performance. 295 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:26.359 That's how I understood the reading, which I think is 296 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:29.079 just pretty ridiculous. There's a lot of other things that 297 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:33.599 are more depressing about a than a drag performance. For example, 298 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:36.160 my children might be worried about going to school sometimes, 299 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:38.640 and if that's safe and every day I walk my 300 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:41.200 children to school, there's an armed guard there. 301 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:43.359 That could also cause a lot of. 302 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:49.400 Depression and anxiety regarding going to school. But nobody's talking 303 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:56.359 about banning school. How do you, well, I guess some 304 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:56.920 people are. 305 00:17:58.039 --> 00:18:00.279 My point is there's a lot of things it could 306 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:02.640 make somebody depressed, and going to a drag event, in 307 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:04.240 my experience, is not one of them. 308 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.640 It was fun. My kids loved it. 309 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.440 We had a great time. 310 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:11.240 Everyone there was happy, face is painted, flamboyant outfits. 311 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:14.160 It was fun. Let me see if I have anything else. 312 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.400 I see I have some extra time. 313 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:23.759 Restricting drag events harms our communities, cultural vibrancy, and local 314 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:29.000 economy by chilling artistic expression and discouraging events that foster inclusivity. 315 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:31.119 I moved to Bartlesville on purpose. 316 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:31.960 I'm not from here. 317 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:35.319 I lived about an hour away and we were always 318 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:39.039 coming to Bartlesville for events like the Christmas Parade and 319 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:42.960 the u A Fun Fat the Summer SunFest. So we 320 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:45.319 like Barnsville and we wanted to be a place where 321 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:49.440 people can come, be happy, have fun. In my opinion, 322 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:52.039 it's a great family activity to go to the drag event, 323 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:56.000 and I want Bartlesville to stay a family. 324 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.200 Friendly place and allow. 325 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.359 Artistic expression. 326 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:10.559 Thank your people, Thank you, pry no One, n Noah, 327 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:15.640 Noah met my name is Noa will Be and Franklin. 328 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.079 Yes, thank you. 329 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:20.319 I wanna introduce myself to you all. Some of you 330 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:23.039 already know me, some of you may not. My father 331 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:25.960 his name was Bernard Meadows, Bernie Meadows. He was a 332 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:29.319 vibrant member of this community who spoke out often for 333 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:33.920 many marginalized voices, and he showed up in many networking 334 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:38.960 and nonprofit volunteer ways. And one thing that he did 335 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:44.920 relentlessly was show up for queer youth in trans youth. 336 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:48.240 I came out at the age of fifteen here in 337 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:52.519 this town in twenty eleven, and I was scared, and 338 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:55.079 I was depressed, and I was alone. I felt so 339 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:58.799 alone because I didn't know anybody who else was trans. 340 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:04.000 And I think it's really important that we have events 341 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:07.599 like public drag where it's a really beautiful f showcase 342 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:12.839 of self expression and just vionrant art and enjoy. 343 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.519 The first drag show. 344 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:18.759 I ever attended was actually at the Open Arms Youth Project, 345 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:23.559 which is now defunct in Tulsa. It was one of 346 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:25.720 the first spaces I ever got to exist in where 347 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:29.200 I saw other people like me, and it helped me 348 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:34.480 continue to fight to be in this life. To put 349 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:37.160 it very succinctly, and sorry if it's too blunt for 350 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:42.039 the city halls, but without seeing others like me, and 351 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:45.079 without seeing the freedom of expression that people can enjoy 352 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:48.599 and their self expression, I simply would not be here 353 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:50.599 because I was incredibly suicidal. 354 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:54.200 And I think it's so important. I think it's so 355 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:56.279 important that mean have these spaces. 356 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:59.920 Where p people can see people like them and rep 357 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:04.519 I had prepared a whole like list of bullet points 358 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:06.240 to to go back to, but I don't think I'm 359 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:10.839 going to that right now. But also at the end 360 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:15.160 of the day, drag has been around since sh Shakespeare's time, right, 361 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.799 Drag has always been a form of. 362 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:20.960 Art that we have used and y I will say, 363 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.240 back in Shakespeare's time it was. 364 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:25.519 Also probably used in very misogynistic ways because it was 365 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.960 used to keep women out of theater for. 366 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.680 A while as well. 367 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:31.920 But now it is not exclusive to gender, it's not 368 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:35.039 exclusive to sexuality, it's not exclusive to religion. It is 369 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:38.400 something that anybody from any walk of life can find 370 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:42.160 themselves in, and I think it's really important that we 371 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:49.279 recognize that it's not this overarching bad experience where somebody 372 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:52.319 could be roomed, because, let's be honest, you could. 373 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.440 Honestly, I was groomed. 374 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:57.039 By my straight mother, by my straight mother who brought 375 00:21:57.079 --> 00:22:01.359 strangers into the house, and no one was in drag. 376 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:04.440 No one was in drag, and I was still hard. 377 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:07.440 She lost custody of me. But you know that is 378 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:07.920 what that is. 379 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:15.160 I'm sorry going on, I didn't no one, no one. 380 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:18.160 She's speaking while people are speaking, is it clemmin rule. 381 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:22.839 I believe that the mayor called for respect in this 382 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:26.200 and respect me sitting quiet and while I'm just talk. 383 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:31.759 Thank you, thank you to them, and thank you for 384 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:36.440 your time. I had a closing moment that I it's 385 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:39.079 lost now, but thank you for your time. I believe 386 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:42.039 that drag should be something that we should be able 387 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:44.440 to experience and express. And I think that the youth 388 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:46.799 should be able to see themselves and the adults because 389 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:49.279 they are the ones who inherit the earth. They are 390 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:51.359 the one who inherit this planet, and what we leave, 391 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.880 we should leave it better than we've had it. 392 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:54.599 Thank you so much, thank you. 393 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:06.319 Thank you, and Franklin and after that both, uh, vere 394 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.680 your bad? 395 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.319 What are your pretty? 396 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:08.519 Well? 397 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:09.720 Experien excited? 398 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.400 Oh excuse me? 399 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:20.440 Oh? Thank you? Cool? 400 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:24.640 Hello everyone, I hope you've all been staying warm. It's 401 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.440