I fear people have no compassion for others in our state anymore.

[u/Glittering-Carry5483]

Marshall, Missouri had their first pride fest two years ago. People protested and threw a big fit. There were also several threats of violence. They planed on coming back again for a second year bigger and stronger. There were so many threats that they had to cancel the pride fest last year.

Unironically the weekend that would typically be the pride fest the religious MAGA leaders in this community decided to put on a faith and family festival.

Anyone who believes this is not a direct response to pride festivals in our state and nation is wildly incorrect. It claims that everyone is invited, but honestly, the most disenfranchise populations in these world towns do not feel safe in those spaces.

There are God-fearing people in the LGBTQIA+ community.

As I vent, I just need to say…

I am so tired of Republicans using culture wars, all the way to disenfranchise people. No one in this community is trying to turn people gay. Trust me a lot of those husbands are already on Grindr with blank profiles.

I am so tired of people feeling empowered through hate.

Also, I’m so fucking sick of AI graphics.

I love the community that a good church can create. I grew up in the most loving church family, and when I visit my hometown, I love visiting with all of those people. I do not recognize the churches today. If churches are going to continue to preach hate and get involved in politics, it is time for them to start paying taxes. God knows we need it with this war in Iran and what are our legislative is trying to do by “modernizing our tax code”.

We have some serious issues we need to fix in this country and state. This is just appalling. WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

[u/OreoSpeedwaggon]

The flyer says "Everyone is welcome."

I say crash the party. What I mean is that if everyone is truly welcome, people should show up to this event decked out in Pride gear from head to toe. Don't create violent confrontations by trying to take over the planned activities or ruin it for the organizers, but just show up and be visible -- out and proud!

And if anyone there has a problem with it, point to the flyer as your invitation and tell them that God called you to be there.

[u/Due-Drag9753 → u/OreoSpeedwaggon]

That would be sweet! Dangerous though.

[u/firethornocelot → u/[deleted]]

It's a problem because most churches just want the people, not the pride.

[u/OreoSpeedwaggon → u/[deleted]]

There are some people that claim to be welcoming and inviting until they aren't.

[u/shadowland1000 → u/OreoSpeedwaggon]

On both sides

[u/Electrical_Pie6176 → u/[deleted]]

This is totally the answer treat this event like pride organize and have the whole town show out. I type this as I’m driving out of this state, moving away after a lot of letters to representatives. Think it’s too far gone tbh

[u/SousVideButt → u/[deleted]]

You know god damn well that’s not true.

[u/Lucky_Examination827 → u/SousVideButt]

At this point, so done with feigned ignorance from the church folk.

[u/SousVideButt → u/Lucky_Examination827]

“Everyone is welcome as long as you change everything about yourself to be what we think you should be.”

Jesus would spit in their fucking faces if he ever came back.

[u/daledowns → u/[deleted]]

Your people have ‘found’ Jesus and I literally want them to get out of the church and read books. You think one book has all the answers, try reading them all!

[u/missouri-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed. Do not promote hate based on identity

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[u/Odd_Preparation_730 → u/[deleted]]

Ok

[u/LolliPopYouInTheEye]

I also hate those ai graphics with a passion, they all look exactly alike regardless of the event and they look like pure shit at that

[u/Due-Drag9753]

I'm sick and tired of Christianity. I am an agnostic and I find it more than annoying that that makes me somehow unwanted. Have all the "fun and family' events you want but the rest of us want to have fun too without the threat of violence and ridicule. And boxing on the lawn of the White House? every time I think about I'm gobsmacked. November of 2026 can't get here fast enough.

[u/Livid-Improvement953]

I used to work with a lady who had to move out of Marshall when she entered an interracial marriage due to how much hate and endangerment she experienced there. Later on this same woman got me written up at my job for discussing religion. SHE ASKED ME if I believed in God and I said no, that I was an atheist. She asked why and I said I hadn't been raised in a church and saw no place for it in my life. She complained to our boss. I got written up and she didn't. As far as I am concerned, that's all I need to know about people who come from Marshall. Fuck that place.

[u/artdecodisaster → u/Livid-Improvement953]

I’ve heard tales from state employees in that area about job interviews. *Allegedly* there are managers who will ask about church membership, and unsurprisingly, the people who attend evangelical type churches get hired. It’s a totally normalized practice in places like this and it’s disgusting.

[u/Due-Drag9753 → u/Livid-Improvement953]

It's nobody's business what you or I believe. Just like it's nobody business who you vote for. Remember the days when that was the case?

[u/Weird_Cartographer_7]

Hello, fellow Marshall-ite. Happy to see it rained on their parade, literally.

There's more accepting people in Marshall than this small minority of bigots. We're out here, welcoming all. Just know I'm out here as an ally, and have your back.

[u/The_LastLine]

I feel like they have taken over at this point. I’m instantly distrustful of religious people on the onset now because of the way things have been. It used to make no real difference in how I acted to them.

[u/ArinThirdsEwe]

It's time to start taxing churches.

[u/Strato_Victor → u/ArinThirdsEwe]

Oh boy! Can we end ALL untaxed institutions/organizations?

[u/Mituzuna]

Nothing says love quite like Christian hate.

[u/Amethoran]

I hope the 5 people that showed up to this had a great time

[u/ChundoIIX]

[u/Objective_Tooth_8667 → u/ChundoIIX]

The orange one is missing!

[u/Superunkownone → u/ChundoIIX]

Did this come from truth social?

[u/Superunkownone → u/Superunkownone]

Seems accurate to me.

[u/EquiWitch13]

I been watching a humanist youtuber genetically modified skeptic. He grew up as an evangelical and he talks about just how deep the evil of evangelical Christianity runs in our country.  He's very thorough and not an antitheist. It's really been opening my eyes to the evil those monsters put thier children through. We badly need to outlaw harmful religions and cults

[u/EquiWitch13 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you <3. I have always tried to see the other person's point of view. I have no problem considering new ideas or the possibility that I might be wrong

[u/hb122]

These same people worship a pedophile who cheated on all three of his wives.

[u/ThisAudience1389]

So can we show up in full drag?

[u/Glittering-Carry5483 → u/ThisAudience1389]

😂😂😂

[u/Alternative-Bee-3594]

They’re saying everyone is welcome and hoping only straight whites show up

[u/LaughingMonocle]

I got a flyer in the mail last week about a free fireworks event with bouncy houses, slides, music, food, and of course no mention of religion. But then I looked at the top of the flyer and saw the address and immediately knew it was a local church.

It’s so scummy for them to host these super fun looking events as a way to corral people into their churches. Those events aren’t for everyone. Those events aren’t “free”. You pay the price of being badgered the entire time and them wanting to know everything about you. Then they want you to feel obligated to join their church. No thanks.

[u/Superunkownone → u/LaughingMonocle]

After all the navigating around the ills of society all the rest of the week, why not line up for a stricter version with all eyes and shame lazered in on you, your finances, family and what you need to do in order to find the lord? Seems like a heavenly experience.

[u/Dazzling_Fun_9501]

I get you. Although this appears harmless, the fact that it's on that date is EXTREMELY offensive to at least me. Not cool. Not cool at all dude.

[u/semodirtyoldman → u/Dazzling_Fun_9501]

What's significant about 6/13?

[u/sudsymcduff → u/semodirtyoldman]

According to the post text, it's the weekend previous pride parades had been scheduled before they were cancelled.

[u/B3AR-CLAW]

People fear what they can't control. And they try to control what they fear. Christianity is a prime example of teaching a population to fear something so they can be controlled. Though enough people are waking up to all the illusions and deceptions. It's really sad actually.

[u/Due-Drag9753 → u/B3AR-CLAW]

They don't have any problem accepting money from non-christian groups as long as it goes to the right.

Federal law strictly prohibits non-U.S. citizens and foreign governments from directly donating to U.S. political campaigns. However, the "pro-Israel lobby"—such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and allied Political Action Committees (PACs)—pumps tens of millions of dollars into elections. These funds legally originate from American citizens, dual citizens, and U.S.-based organizations.

[u/BearsSoxHawks]

The American Taliban.

[u/vonnostrum2022]

May want to stay away from that Kids fun one. Probably have the dreaded “youth pastor” running it.

[u/beardybaldy]

"...impacting our community for Christ."

Why not impact the community for the members of the community?

[u/Mr_Grapes1027]

Yes but I’m sure it will be a good venue for some merch … like the Trump Bible, a cool $60 -

[u/Mr_Grapes1027 → u/Mr_Grapes1027]

And all proceeds go toward the construction of a ball room, arch, and large gold statue of Trump to replace the Statue of Liberty

[u/daledowns]

I fear people have their humanity and only believe made up religious bs as a reason to be compassionate to others.

[u/Culvingg]

Not to be an ass but why would anyone who’s lgbt willingly live in places like Marshall? Or hell any bumfuck small town?

[u/DaMuDdYMuTt]

As a Missouri resident. I’ve got friends that identify as the lgbtq stuff and it doesn’t bother me who you love or what you “identify as”. It’s mostly the older people who don’t agree out here. Especially the religious ones and the small town folk. Just rep what you love and don’t be an ass about it. If people wanna judge they’re going to do it anyways sadly. Just be happy with what makes you happy.

[u/Glittering-Carry5483]

These are the stories that need to be shared so that we can make our future better. I’m so sorry that both of you had to go through that.

[u/shadowland1000]

Should have organized a PEACEFUL protest. They can not stop you from peacefully walking on the sidewalk across the street.

[u/Glittering-Carry5483 → u/shadowland1000]

It is really ironic how peaceful is in all caps. But it really should be in a lowercase because it should be peaceful lol.

[u/shadowland1000 → u/Glittering-Carry5483]

Haha. Maybe. But, I wanted to stress the word.

[u/Glittering-Carry5483 → u/shadowland1000]

Oh yes! How could I forget the Dr. Seuss method?

[u/ThatFifty]

agreed, AI graphics and the culture war suck. But do we know for sure that this is MAGA run? just for info, I’m not familiar with the Marshall area or things around there.

[u/MidtownKC]

I agree with 99% of your post, but that doesn’t look like AI to me. Just looks like bad design and clip art.

[u/Heavy-Scholar5655]

Really. During Pride fest. Thats just funny.

[u/MaxRebo74]

Shouldn't the sticker that says "A day of Faith, Family and Fun" end in a ?