Project Elijah plans for July 2 courthouse march, sit-in

Members of the group Project Elijah plan to hold a sit-in Tuesday, July 2 ahead of the upcoming Richmond County Commission meeting.

Project Elijah, which describes itself as a coalition of community members and allies advocating for the rights and dignity of all marginalized groups in Richmond County, will host the sit-in as part of a continued response to allegedly homophobic remarks made by Richmond County Commissioner Adam Grooms on his social media last May.

“Recent acts of bigotry and the silence from our elected officials are unacceptable. We march for respect, equality, and action,” said Taryn Masterson, organizer of the event, in the press release.

The press release further stated, in response to recent incidents of discrimination, [Project Elijah] are organizing a march and peaceful sit-in on July 2 at 3 p.m., starting at the Richmond County Courthouse. This event aims to demand accountability and support for all marginalized communities. Elijah Crumpton, a student who was harassed by Commissioner Andy Grooms after being crowned prom king in a dress, is at the center of this call to action. We stand in solidarity with Elijah and the entire LGBTQ+ community in Richmond County. The march will begin at the courthouse, go past the police station, loop back on East Washington, and then end with a sit-in at the courthouse. The group requested its members remain peaceful and within the bounds of the law. Their only demands are an apology to Crumpton, the LGBTQ+ community and commit themselves to better actions in the future.

As previously reported by the Daily Journal, last month multiple members of the group made their first appearance before the Richmond County Commission in order to admonish Grooms for his online statement.

After being turned away in May due to not signing up to be on the agenda in advance of the meeting, the speakers had their chance to address the commission.

“Elijah, my son, is caring, extremely considerate, compassionate, and brings sunshine into the darkest rooms. I feel privileged to be his mom,” said Jennifer Crumpton, whose son Elijah Crumpton was the subject of a Facebook post made by Grooms and later removed.

Last May, Crumpton’s classmates elected him king of the 2024 Richmond Senior High School Prom. Crumpton, who identifies as a gay male and often chooses to wear women’s clothes, wore a prom dress instead of a tuxedo that night. Grooms shared a social media post congratulating Crumpton for winning prom king, but with the added caption reading THIS IS SICK.

“Their comment section began to fill with vile, hateful and homophobic vitriol that one would expect from a small town in the south, but at the same time a growing number of voices rallied together to combat Andy and shine a light on it to force it out of the darkness,” Jerry Tilley said. “A lot of people get very brave behind the sharp click of their keyboards, but lack the courage of their convictions when the harsh light of reality sets in. While there should never be a forum, where an elected official is permitted to get away with such blatant disrespect of one of their own constituents without any repercussions, this community came to the aid of one of its own and a force for good and for right.”

With June being Gay Pride Month, Tilley suggested Richmond County look into hosting LGBTQ events such as a gay pride parade or pass proclamations acknowledging LGBTQ members of the community.

“I encourage the county to adopt a social media policy in regards to its elected officials in order to avoid any future embarrassing blunders,” Tilley said.

Taryn Masterson said by taking no action against Commissioner Grooms, the Richmond County Commission is giving a silent endorsement of Grooms’ comments.

“This type of behavior from an elected official is not only wildly remarkable. It sends a very clear message that bullying, and discrimination are acceptable, even encouraged, in this county,” Masterson said. “Elijah responded to the attack with grace and dignity … Your actions or inactions speak volumes about the values you uphold. When an adult in a position of power publicly condemns a teenager for his personal attire, it’s not only a personal attack. It’s an attack on every young person in our community who is struggling to find their place in the world.”

Instead of addressing the speakers, Commissioner Grooms elected to simply say “Thank you for coming out everybody.” However, there may have been a reason for his abrupt approach. Before the meeting, there was a significant presence from members of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department with more than six deputies standing watch outside of the courtroom, with multiple county officials confirming it was in response to potential threats made before the meeting.

As for Elijah Crumpton, he said the ordeal inspired him to be more vocal about his LGBTQ experience.

“I always knew hate was very big in the LGBTQ (community), but this pushed me to speak out way more than I have already. There are a lot of ignorant people in this world. I’m not looking to change anybody’s mind, but more so be respectful to each and everyone,” said Crumpton, during an interview with the Richmond County Dail Journal in May. “If people show respect to everyone, then we will live in peace. That’s all we’re looking for – peace and coexistence. That’s it. This shaped me to speak out more.”