Former Saturday Night Live cast member Victoria Jackson delivered a homophobic rant during citizens comments in a city council meeting on April 11. The meeting aimed to address the authorization of a permit for the annual LGBTQ+ Pride festival, which has been at the center of heated debate. Jackson's divisive remarks added fuel to the fire, highlighting the ongoing struggle for acceptance and equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community in the region.
The Pride Festival Debate:
Franklin, a historic city in Tennessee, has seen its annual LGBTQ+ Pride festival become a focal point of controversy. This year, anti-LGBTQ+ activists called for the cancellation of the event, citing recent incidents, such as the shooting at a Christian school in Nashville, as well as growing hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals and drag performances. The city's governing board convened to decide whether to grant a permit for the festival, and tensions ran high during the meeting.
Amidst the fervor surrounding the Pride festival, former SNL cast member Victoria Jackson took the opportunity to express her homophobic views at the city council meeting. Taking the podium, she boldly stated that "God hates sodomy" and "God hates homosexuality," citing biblical references to support her claims. Jackson further asserted that Pride itself was detestable to God, and invoked the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as evidence of divine disapproval towards homosexuality.
The Viral Fallout:
A video capturing Jackson's homophobic tirade was shared on Twitter, quickly going viral and garnering over 7 million views. The video drew widespread condemnation, with many expressing their outrage at the offensive and discriminatory remarks made by the former SNL star. The incident not only underscored the deep divisions within the community but also reignited the urgent need for acceptance and understanding.