Published: 8/4/2022


 

The Giles County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has released a statement to the public of Giles County regarding a recent uptick of discriminatory rhetoric and actions. You can find the full statement on our website, WKSR.com. The statement indicates that the NAACP stands in solidarity on denouncing the discriminatory rhetoric/actions relative to the peaceful activities of the Giles County LGBTQ+ community. It states, “With our branch stemming from a county proud of its past renouncement of hate speech and discriminatory behavior, we humbly ask for all county residents to join us in this denouncement.” The statement goes on to explain, “The provocative rhetoric on the community’s use of “drag”…contradicts the strict interpretation of the freedom of expression found within our U.S. Constitution, and has wrongfully caused division. [Not] all activities involving drag are erotic or sexually-explicit in nature. The false, inaccurate claims made by candidates, current officials, and politically-charged media sources on this issue have incited many citizens to engage in hate-speech and other prejudices against the LGBTQ+ community in Giles County, and we all must work to remind ourselves that this type of inciteful, prejudicial rhetoric is no longer tolerated within our county borders. Therefore, the Giles County NAACP branch denounces any candidate or current public official that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and their freedom of expression.”