HRC asks Lubbock City Council to reconsider denying funds for First Friday Art Trail

LUBBOCK, Texas — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has sent a letter to the Lubbock City Council asking it to reconsider pulling funding from the First Friday Art Trail . The letter, obtained by EverythingLubbock.com on Tuesday, cited First Amendment protections for drag performances.

“We wanted to ensure that our elected leaders are mindful that drag performances are constitutionally protected speech,” HRC Texas State Director Melodia Gutierrez said in an interview with EverythingLubbock.com.

The council previously voted 5-2 to take away the $30,000 funding the art trail received from hotel occupancy tax funds. City Councilman for District 3, David Glasheen, said he was concerned about drag performances being “subsidized and promoted by tax dollars.” District 1 City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem, Christy Martinez-Garcia, voted against the cut, along with Gordan Harris, Councilman for District 2.

The letter sent to the council by HRC stated, “The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas has held that restrictions on drag performances are content-based and viewpoint-based discrimination.”

Related coverage:

• ‘Beloved community event’: Lubbock’s First Friday Art Trail loses funds
• Lubbock citizens upset as city council cuts First Friday Art Trail funding
• City council members, arts community react to cut in funding for First Friday art trail
• Lubbock Mayor releases statement regarding decision to cut funds for First Friday Art Trail

The HRC’s letter said the First Amendment prevents the government from making decisions about which events they are comfortable funding “based on the content of the speech or expression.”

The letter said members of the community can make their own voluntary choice to attend events at the art trail. The Human Rights Campaign asked that the First Friday Art Trail be treated like any other group seeking public funds.

“Not only is this an attack on freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the First Amendment, it is yet another attempt to perpetuate anti-LGBTQ+ stigma in a state that is responsible for more than 20% of anti-LGTBQ+ bills introduced last year. We need communities that affirm rather than condemn someone’s identity and existence, and ask that the Council reverses this vote that was clearly fueled by nothing but hate and misinformation.”

HRC Texas State Director Melodia Gutierrez

See the full letter above.

Mayor Mark McBrayer’s released a statement on Friday. You can read his statement here.

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