During Wednesday night’s Lansdale Borough Council business meeting, Mayor Garry Herbert will read a proclamation that deems every Feb. 2 as “Lansdale Inclusion Day.”
The announcement of the proclamation follows an online petition that was launched last month to commemorate the Storytime with Miss Annie event.
“I was approached with a petition from community members asking to commemorate the day where Lansdale showed its dedication to inclusion and diversity,” said Herbert. “After speaking with staff, we agreed to declare Feb. 2 as ‘Inclusion Day in Lansdale,’ where we will celebrate our diversity and our commitment to that cause.”
The proclamation will read:
WHEREAS, the Borough of Lansdale celebrates our diversity and acceptance of all people and their contributions to our community; and
WHEREAS, Inclusion is an important part of our growth as a society to ensure that Lansdale and all our residents continue to prosper; and
WHEREAS, Lansdale dedicates itself to building bridges with communities of all faiths, beliefs, economics, and orientations; and
WHEREAS, Lansdale proudly celebrates our critical role in helping expand acceptance and diversity among all people in our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Garry Herbert, Mayor of Lansdale Borough, do hereby proclaim February 2, 2020, and every February 2nd henceforth to be, in our Borough, Lansdale Inclusion Day, And I urge the residents of our community, and neighboring communities, to celebrate this day by helping each other as best they can.
Herbert added that he hopes that “Inclusion Day in Lansdale” will help bring the community together, adding that an annual food drive will be held by Miss Annie, in an effort to help those in need.
“The goal of Inclusion Day is firstly to celebrate the love, acceptance and charity that is represented in Lansdale,” said Miss Annie. “It's to remember we stuck together, overcame hate, and in the process donated 1,600 pounds of food to the needy in our town. Lansdale is a place of love and acceptance. Every year on Feb. 2, I plan on hosting an amazing event that will celebrate acceptance and diversity along with a food drive to continue to help our town become the best in Pennsylvania!”
From the Beginning
The saga of Storytime with Miss Annie began in late January, when North Penn Now published an article stating that protesters had taken aim at the event [read the full article here]. Organizer and evangelist Steve Piotrowski, of Harleysville, said the protest was not being hosted by any official organization, but rather a group of concerned individuals coming together in love.
“Several concerned citizens, who happen to be Christian, decided to possibly have a prayer gathering and press conference in hopes of lovingly, peacefully and truthfully presenting our side to the community,” said Piotrowski. “We want to let others who share our views know that we are no longer the silent majority, and we are here proclaiming God’s truth in hopes of saving a lost soul.”
The story was quickly picked up regionally, and had become a national story in the days leading up to the event. In total, police estimated that approximately 250 people attended the event, with roughly two dozen being protesters and the rest being supporters and children. Though both sides of the issue were very vocal in both their support and opposition, the event was largely peaceful, sans a small group with a bullhorn lead by Philadelphia’s notorious Pastor Aden Rusfeld.
That group, however, was vocally drowned out by supporters, and equally condemned by Piotrowski and the other protesters. No arrests were made during the event.
“The amount of support I've gotten from this community is nothing short of amazing,” said Miss Annie, who also goes by the name Annie Christ during her horror-themed performances for adults. “I expected supporters, but never imagined the amount of love I've gotten was even possible. It makes me so proud to be a resident of Lansdale.”
‘Lansdale Inclusion Day’ Response from Protest Organizer
Despite the message of inclusivity of people of all faiths, colors and creeds, protest organizer Steve Piotrowski continues to view the proclamation as an assault on his faith. When reached for comment, Piotrowski said:
"Jesus was and is without sin, yet He has compassion for sinners. As we reach out to those in LGBT Community, we strive to do so with a similar heart. What could be more heartbreaking than for a person made in God's image to remain lost in their sin and forever separated from the love of God? We want others to be "included" in the Kingdom of God, and we hope to continue to reach lost souls. The good news for a gay man or woman is the same good news for a straight man or woman. The Lord Jesus Christ died for all types of sins for all types of sinners. I am asking Annie Christ, along with Mayor Garry Herbert and their supporters to not doubt the power of Christ. Trust in God's wisdom and His power, not your own.
I think it's also important to note the hypocrisy of "inclusion day." This is intended to be a day where only some opinions matter, and where Christianity and those who support traditional family values will not be included. This is a day of hate against God. I encourage everyone to read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. We are calling the mayor and every official who supports this to repentance."
See also:
Drag Queen Story Time Leads To ‘Inclusion Day’ Proclamation In Lansdale [UPDATED]
Round Guys: The King Of Queens
Mayoral Musings: Uniting Behind Manna
Protesters, Supporters Turn Out For Lansdale Drag Queen Story Hour
Inside Lansdale Library, A Story Hour With A Difference
Mayoral Musings: Storytime With Miss Annie
Lansdale Police Prepare For Saturday Protests
Lansdale Borough Releases Statement About Drag Queen Story Time
Christian Protesters Take Aim At Drag Queen Story Time At Lansdale Library
Annie Christ: Lansdale's Culture Queen
