Local Republicans in one Florida town are calling out the Democrat mayor for participating in a “morally repugnant” Pride parade where “condoms were thrown” and children were present.
The office of Democrat Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is responding to the criticism that’s been leveled at her for her attendance at the event held over the weekend. But Deegan wasn’t just the first mayor to attend the Pride parade, she was its Grand Marshal.
Duval GOP Chairman Dean Black did not approve of Deegan’s participation, — proposing that “legislation” might be needed to “prevent this from happening again.”
“We are disturbed and disgusted to see the Mayor’s participation as the Grand Marshal at an alleged ‘family-friendly’ event where sex toys were displayed and condoms were handed out to children,” the state legislator said after Florida’s Voice blog reported that allegedly “condoms were thrown” at children who were in attendance.
Video purportedly from the parade does not show any children actually holding the packaged condoms or having them thrown at them.
Are you kidding me @MayorDeegan? A parade throwing condoms at children where you were Grand Marshal?? This is repulsive, depraved and must STOP! https://t.co/KcaqEDvS7a
— Dean Black (@DeanBlackFL) October 8, 2023
“At best, it is beneath the dignity of the office of Mayor to attend events that seek to push sex on our children. At worst, it is morally repugnant for *any* person, let alone the Mayor, to be endorsing or supporting such behavior,” Black continued.
“We call on our elected representatives to take further steps to prevent this from happening again. It should not take legislation to enforce this commonsense principle: stop sexualizing our children,” Black added. “Further, we call on Mayor Deegan to condemn and disavow this conduct, as well as give assurances that she will not continue to use her office to embarrass our city and disrespect parents.”
Deegen’s office responded to the backlash on Monday.
“Mayor Deegan attended the River City Pride Parade to show her support for our LGBTQ+ community and commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said spokesperson Phil Perry.
“During her participation, she did not see any of the items that were alleged to have been present. What she did witness is people and families coming together to celebrate the beautiful mosaic that is Jacksonville,” Perry added.
The mayor had posted pictures from the parade to her social media account.
“Happy Pride! What a beautiful day to celebrate diversity and inclusion!” she captioned the post.
Happy Pride! What a beautiful day to celebrate diversity and inclusion! pic.twitter.com/FMeh8vCuYa
— Mayor Donna Deegan (@MayorDeegan) October 8, 2023
River City Pride gushed over the “incredible honor” of having Deegan participate.
“Your love and compassion for all citizens of Jacksonville, no matter who they are or who they love is the greatest love a mayor can give and we as an LGBTQ+ community feel your love!” the group wrote on Facebook.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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