Thursday, November 11, 2021

LGBT+ in Oakham & Rutland Gay Pride Event Cutts Close Oakham Saturday June 25th 2022 Approved By Oakham Town Council

LGBT+ in Oakham & Rutland Gay Pride Event Cutts Close Oakham Saturday June 25th 2022 Approved By Oakham Town Council.



LGBT+ in Oakham & Rutland

https://www.facebook.com/groups/510729676645302




Oakham Mayor Zoe Nealson contacted the Pride organiser in her private capacity expressing a concern that a section of the LGBTQ+ community was not family friendly.

The organiser posted this concern in the LGBT+ in Oakham & Rutland Facebook group. The Mayors wife Rachael Nealson responded to comments and suggestions of discrimination. 

The part of the community that was described as not family friendly was Kink. I found the whole debate rather odd. 

I don't support the suggestion that Rutland's First Pride Event should not be advertised as family friendly. 

I also don't support Rachael Nealson's suggestion that a tent is set up for only over 18's who maybe into Kink ("people dressed as puppies and pulled along on a lead".)  I believe that would not be inclusive and could be considered discrimination. I do understand children ask questions, but surely adults know how to respond appropriately to young children when they ask why a person is dressed in a certain.

The two posts appear to have been deleted by the group admin. In one the Mayor did make it very clear that her concerns were not that of Oakham Town Council.