The Southgate Pride event is now going to take place.  The Library Network has stepped up and offered to pay the vendor, who will provide glitter henna at the event.  With that fee paid, no municipal monies will be needed to cover it, so the event can proceed.

This page is kept temporarily as a record for those interested in what happened: why the event was cancelled in the first place, why this change means it can take place again.  Below, you can find the explanation from City Administration that led to the cancellation.  For information on the event, see our updated page on it.

https://southgate.lib.mi.us/southgate-pride-returns

The City of Southgate is committed to serving all residents fairly and impartially. As a municipal government, it is important that the City remain officially neutral with respect to social, political, and advocacy-related causes and organizations.

Individuals and private organizations are free to support, promote, and participate in causes and events that reflect their values and beliefs. However, the City must exercise caution when determining which activities it directly sponsors, funds, or promotes in its official capacity.

Maintaining a consistent policy of neutrality helps ensure that all groups and viewpoints are treated equally. If the City were to officially sponsor or endorse one advocacy-related event or organization, it could create expectations that similar support be extended to other groups representing a wide range of social, political, or ideological positions. To avoid the appearance of favoritism or endorsement, the City has chosen to refrain from sponsoring such events.

Accordingly, because the event was presented as a City sponsored event, the administration determined that it could not continue in that capacity. This decision was not based on disagreement with any particular organization, cause, or viewpoint. Rather, it was made in accordance with the City's position of maintaining neutrality and avoiding official sponsorship of advocacy-related activities.

Unfortunately, the cancellation of the June 13th event has caused both confusion and disappointment. That was not the City’s intention, and the City will use this event as a learning opportunity to improve our communications and internal review processes as they relate to the funding of events.

The City continues to make public facilities available to community organizations through its established rental and facility-use policies. The use of City facilities by private organizations does not constitute City sponsorship, endorsement, or opposition to the activities, viewpoints, or missions of those organizations.

-Message from Southgate City Administration