Members of the community came forward during the Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday night to speak on the postponement of Soldotna Pride’s Drag Story Hour at the Soldotna Library on January 6th.
Jason Floyd, the owner of Ammo Can Coffee Social Club expressed his concerns for the event. While he refers to the other performers, Floyd makes a continuous reference to one member known as Ivanna Kischacok.
Floyd believes the drag performer’s name was in violation of title nine language regarding adult business, a portion of which discusses the concept of adult business and entertainment with a city.
According to the title nine section 10, “adult entertainment” means any motion picture, live performance, display, or dance of any type whose dominant theme is actual or simulated specified sexual activities, display or exhibition of specified anatomical areas, removal of articles of clothing, or total nudity, offered for commercial purposes.
“That name was published on a sign, a brochure ,that was handed around and specifically under Section eight in chapter 10 of the statute it says no adult business shall be operated in any manner that permits the observation of any persons or material depicting, and this is important here, describing which the performers name described or relating to specified sexual activities, or specified anatomical areas inside the premises. This was going to happen in our taxpayer funded facility from any public way or from any location outside that building or area of such establishment. This division shall apply to any merchandise display decoration, sign, show window or other opening,” said Floyd.
Floyd asked the city council to re-evaluate some of the rulings and decisions on the original title nine ordinance.
He would first like there to be a section that nonprofits and nonprofit events not to be excluded in the ordinance.
Second, he requests that there be a prohibition of the use of taxpayer funded facilities for hosting/facilitating these “type of events or activities” on taxpayer public spaces.
Lastly, he asks that no third-party facilitation of events organized or sponsored by a noncommercial entity, hosted by a commercial entity would be allowed if it would otherwise be restricted by this ordinance.
“There should not be a workaround for our organizations who make these types of public displays, even if they’re only if they’re doing it for free. Because I think it speaks to the spirit of this ordinance that we want to have a healthy, safe community for our children,” said Floyd.
Dennis Murray of Soldotna spoke as well, saying that he advocated for the children of the community. He explains that 116 community members signed a petition to cancel the library event. He does refer to the ordinance, saying that out speaks to adult entertainment, including impersonation.
“It says that all business which is a good point that the earlier speaker makes, and it says that the ordinance applies to all citizen citizens. It’s not directed at any specific group…. However, from my reading of the article in the Clarion last week, it’s apparent that the city’s attorney does not believe the ordinance applies in this circumstance. That’s unfortunate,” said Dennis.
Murray then suggested that the council established a working group of community members to examine the concern about children and offer the council solutions that would “maintain public standards for orderly freedom.”
Nick Connor, the owner of Nick’s Auto glass, said that he represents the previous speaker’s first amendment rights, but he personally disagrees with them. Connor mentions according to his research, children are much more vulnerable with their fathers, uncles, or members of the church regarding molestation.
“And if any of the people don’t want to take their kids to [the library event], don’t. But I think it’s important for people to express themselves. I don’t think there’s anything bad that’s going to happen in a library in front of everybody with these children other than them giggle and have fun,” said Connor.
Member of the Soldotna Pride Council Michelle Vasquez called in through zoom to share her information.
She first begins by explaining that Ivanna Kischacok was not going to be present at the story hour, but instead, a drag king would’ve been reading to the children;
“I am sorry that some of you do not like it or do not approve. But we, in the Soldotna Pride group, in the Soldotna Pride Council, every human being in the country of the United States has a right to the First Amendment to freely express ourselves to freely assemble freedom from a list religion and freedom of religion. I heard you say that you pray at the library. That’s great. I support your first amendment right to do that. But we also have the first amendment rights to freely assemble and express ourselves. And if you don’t want to bring your children or your grandchildren don’t but you cannot stop us from existing in this world,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez also mentioned that the pride group put in an application to reserve the space for storybook hour, and it was approved. She then stated that the group also submitted a list of books to be read at the event as well.
While the books did not have to be approved, a member from the Soldotna Library did say in a call with KSRM that they pride group did provide a list of books as a courtesy.
After an email to the Soldotna Pride group, there has been no comment as to what books were planned to be read at this time.
After the public comment period had closed, members of the council held their closing remarks. And while a majority of the members chose to speak, it was Student Representative Cassidy that brought the meeting to a close;
“This idea of talking to people about issues, whether you’re for or against it, or you want change or you don’t, is good. I don’t believe that contention gets people anywhere, whether you are for against an idea, whether again, whether you want change or not. Throwing bricks, throwing grenades, or even just harsh words that other people, it’s not going to get anything done. And I think that the kids in this community, the kids in my school, the kids I compete against, and I laugh with in Kenai, all of us are the same, and we all learn from the adults in our lives. As kids, seeing adults fight over things, and be contentious with one another is only going to make things worse for my generation. The kids I see in school, fighting over things, swearing at each other arguing over these useless things. That might even only exist in high school. That’s not the world we want to live in. So, I’m glad that people from both sides of this discussion about the January 6 event came in and talked about it. As much as people want this event or don’t want this event or things like it, talking about it is the only way to get things done. So, I’m glad to be here,” said Cassidy.
