THE BATTLEFORDS — The Dekker Centre is on the receiving end of backlash, as the venue hosting CMHA Battleford’s branch Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser on April 15 has been receiving some nasty comments.
“We have received phone calls and emails from people who oppose this rental, use hateful and discriminatory language to describe the event and demand it is cancelled,” says the Dekker Centre in a press release this Monday, Feb. 13.
“These calls and emails are not representative of our larger community…” reads the release, “but it is important that we say: we will not tolerate hate and discrimination.”
A reader spoke to the News-Optimist in regard to a livestreamed and in-person Jan. 22 sermon from the Territorial Drive Alliance Church.
"It breaks my heart...what's next? What will happen to gender differences, the future of homosexuality and gay marriage, and there's no clergy to say, 'be happy about who you are,'" the reader said, adding, "It takes so much courage to share yourself with others.
"There's so much more we can do for our children in our community; be a better teacher than those who discriminate."
In the sermon the reader referred to, Pastor Keith Klippenstein encouraged his congregants to call the Dekker Centre and voice their concerns as Christians, but he counselled them to be "gracious" in their behaviour.
Klippenstein spoke to the subject in a sermon titled 'Sunshine in the Forecast,' studying chapters in Genisis, saying, "God's ways have been challenged. They're been distorted. They've been disobeyed."
Regarding the Drag Queen Bingo, he said, "...If you feel led by God to phone up the Dekker Centre, do that, but make sure your speech is seasoned with salt and that whoever answers the phone and hears what you say in regards to this event and your concern about it, that they would know that they've been talking to a Christ follower."
The Dekker Centre says they’re proud to host Drag Queen Bingo in their facility and that there is no action that can be taken against the organization that will result in the event's cancellation.
“Every day, we are governed by our organizational values, two of which are Inclusion and Community.”
The Dekker Centre says that they are inclusive and community-minded and that they strive to have representation of all people on their board, staff, volunteers, in their programming, and audience.
CHMA Battlefords branch has not received any phone calls or emails about the event at this point.
“There was no consideration of any backlash in the community when the event organizer approached us…” says Michele Winterholt, executive director for the organization.
“CHMA supports diversity and inclusion in our community. We’re thrilled to be recipients of funds that support mental health in the community,” Winterholt said, adding that although everyone has a right to protest, everyone is respectful and peaceful.
Speaking to those who may feel hurt in the LGBTQ+ community, she added, “...we are here to support them if they’re struggling with what is happening in the community related to events. We strongly encourage everyone to come out and join in the fun, which is a form of support.”
Drag Queen Bingo is a fundraiser for CMHA Battlefords Branch and is slated for April 15 at 7 p.m. You must be 19+ to attend.
Tickets can be purchased online at the Dekker Centre’s website, over the phone, or in person at the box office.
Transcription of video:
So, when I received, so far, two requests from members of our congregation asking how we were going to respond to an event that's coming to our city on April 15th, I had to think, "how are we going to respond." So on April 15, it is scheduled at this point that a drag queen event will be at the Dekker Centre as part of their shows that come to the Dekker Centre ... and so the question was how are we as a church to respond to this. And, there's already been a call amongst the Christian community to voice their concern about an event like that coming to the Battlefords and if the first one comes, will they stop, or not stop. So my encouragement to you - and we as elders, at our regular elders meeting this Thursday we'll be discussing what our response as a church will be - but I would highly encourage you to phone up the Dekker Centre and express what you think. Having said that, I want you to do it like Paul says in Colossians, how you are to voice what does it mean to be salt and light in our community. He says this, "Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of time." Verse 6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you would know how to answer each person." So can I ask you to do that. If you feel led by God to phone up the Dekker Centre, do that, but make sure your speech is seasoned with salt and that whoever answers the phone and hears what you say in regards to this event and your concern about it that they would know that they've been talking with a Christ follower. That's what I would ask you to do.
