GREENFIELD, Wis. — The City of Greenfield has canceled a Pride event this Sunday over political and safety concerns, according to the mayor.
The Greenfield Health Department announced it would be celebrating Pride at the June 25 Greenfield Farmers Market with games and a group photo in the center of the market. Visitors were encouraged to wear pride colors, according to the department's Facebook post.
"I thought wow, this is great because this is my weekly farmers market," said Darcie Muckler, an LGBTQ advocate.
Last week, however, the posts came down, leaving some community members wondering what was going on.
"It had just disappeared, deleted without any word or explanation," said Muckler. "So I called the health department, and it was just the same answer — 'unforeseen circumstances.'"
The health department directed our questions on Tuesday to Mayor Mike Neitzke.
By text, Mayor Neitzke said things like "pride" and "rainbows" have taken on "deep, divisive political overtones." He added, sometimes, that "turns to physical altercations."
He referenced an attack last week when police said someone punched Peter Burgelis, Milwaukee County's first openly LGBTQ Supervisor.
Burgelis told TMJ4 News that the suspect said "take this f——t" when he hit the supervisor.
Neitzke also said the market shouldn't be a place where people "are confronted by those who have strong political beliefs."
"A politics-free market doesn’t solve the anger and divisiveness out there. But, being free of it does give us all four hours to just enjoy it," said Neitzke.
Muckler said the city shouldn't have advertised in the first place, and then, as she believes, quietly pulled back.
The Farmers Market, according to Muckler, did tell her they'll be providing educational information for the LGBTQ community this Sunday.
"I'm 68 years old and I've fought for the rights of my community for many years. I guess it's something in me that I can't let go. So, although it's such a small event, it was the principle of the thing, of acknowledging gay pride," said Muckler.
In an update on Wednesday, Milwaukee County Supervisor Peter Burgelis criticized the mayor's decision to cancel the health department's Pride booth at the farmers market.
Burgelis' issued the following statement: “LGBTQ+ acceptance and equality aren't a political sportsball that municipal leaders should toss or pass. The Mayor’s action to cancel the LGBTQ+ Pride tent at the Greenfield Farmers Market is not motivated by a threat to protect his residents, but rather another divisive action that further divides our communities. This unilateral action to cancel is an insult to the LGBTQ+ community and a disservice to the public at large. Whether the mayor un-cancels or not, I’m confident that there will be many more rainbows at the farmers market this Sunday than he expected. I’ll be there for strawberries!”
Burgelis, as well as other LGBTQ+ community members, called upon Mayor Neitzke to reconsider his decision and reinstate the celebration. His statement says, "The cancellation only serves to create further division and hinder progress in building an inclusive and accepting society."
During a phone call with TMJ4's Bruce Harrison on Wednesday, Mayor Neitzke said he spoke with Burgelis before the statement was issued.
He said he apologized to him and indicated that by referencing him, he wasn't trying to create a debate over these issues. The attack on Burgelis, Neitzke said, was the example that came to his mind at the time over violence toward the LGBTQ community.
Neitzke said he welcomed Supervisor Burgelis to the farmer markets this Sunday. It seems, Neitzke said, Burgelis is going to attend. He said all members of the LGBTQ+ community are welcome at the market, where all are welcome.
Neitzke said he told Supervisor Burgelis he was not going to change the cancellation, and he thought they had a nice conversation. The mayor said he wants it to be a nice farmer's market where all are welcome, which has always been the goal.
Neitzke added he stands by his concerns that the canceled event could've created political tension and possibly safety concerns for the community.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
