FORT WORTH, Texas — The City of Fort Worth has canceled an anti-transgender event that was scheduled to take place at one of its community centers on Saturday, April 20.
Several conservative political groups organized the event, titled “The Danger of Transgenderism.”
It was set to take place at the Victory Forest Community Center, but the city canceled it after several members of the community raised concerns about it.
In a statement, the City of Fort Worth said the group of organizations made a room reservation and paid a required security deposit on March 12. However, the groups never completed the reservation process, which required them to fill out a reservation form, the city said.
City staff determined the event didn’t comply with its Park and Recreation Dept. Community Center policy, stating “community centers shall not be permitted to groups that discriminate.”
“Had the nature of the meeting been disclosed at the time of the booking, the rental would have been declined pursuant to Community Center policy,” the city’s statement said. “Community Centers are dedicated to upholding a welcoming environment free from discrimination.”
Carlos Turcios, director of Texas Latinos United for Conservative Action said the city’s cancellation of the event was a violation of the First Amendment. The now-canceled event has sparked debate over free speech rights.
Turcios organized the event with the Texas Coalition for Kids, Tarrant County Young Republicans, Citizens Defending Freedom, and others.
“I think it’s abhorrent,” Turcios said. “It’s not something that’s hateful or inciting violence.”
Lynette Sharp, a member of No Hate in Texas raised her concerns to the city when she first learned about the event.
“It incites violence,” Sharp said. “These people are dangerous. With all the anti-trans and anti-LGBT community laws coming out due to Christian Nationalism, I’m a target every day.”
When asked if he believed anti-trans events could lead someone to commit violent acts against a community, Turcios responded: “that’s not our fault.”
Turcios still plans to hold the event at a space congressional candidate John O’Shea offered.