Former Saturday Night Live actor Victoria Jackson sparked controversy after making a homophobic remark on social media.
In response to a debate about a Pride Festival in Franklin, Tennessee, Jackson advised supporters of the event to “move to San Fran if you want gay stuff," a knock on one of the country's most liberal and LGBTQ+-friendly cities.
This comment was made during a YouTube livestream while officials in Franklin voted on whether to grant funding for the Pride Festival. After a tie in the vote, Franklin’s Mayor approved the permit for the event.
Jackson's comment was screengrabbed and shared by the Twitter account for The Tennessee Holler, a popular progressive podcast.
You can see Jackson's post below.
\u201c\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08Former SNL\u2019er Victoria Jackson is on the YouTube stream really elevating the conversation \ud83d\ude44 #SaveFranklinPride \n\nShe spoke during public comments tonight, as she does often around here.\u201d— The Tennessee Holler (@The Tennessee Holler) 1681265878
Jackson also appeared at the town meeting to decry the Pride festivities, declaring "God hates sodomy," "homosexuality" and "Pride."
Video of her remarks was shared by Christian Nightmares, which showcases hateful rhetoric coming from Evangelical Christians.
\u201cFormer SNL cast member Victoria Jackson yesterday at the Franklin City Hall, Tennessee vote on whether or not the Gay Pride Parade should be permitted this year: "God hates sodomy. He hates homosexuality. \u2026 and god hates pride.\u201d h/t @Mike_Hixenbaugh @JoeMyGod\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1681315099
Her remarks sparked immediate outrage online.
\u201c@ChristnNitemare @Mike_Hixenbaugh @JoeMyGod When she says \u201cGod hates..\u201d - what she actually means is herself. She hates these things. These people love utilizing God as a buffer so they don\u2019t have to own the responsibility of their own prejudices.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1681315099
\u201c@ChristnNitemare @Mike_Hixenbaugh @JoeMyGod Saying \u201cGod hates\u201d anything should stop and make you think. It\u2019s sad that so many people want to be a part of something hateful.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1681315099
\u201c@ChristnNitemare @Mike_Hixenbaugh @JoeMyGod You don\u2019t see the Westboro Baptist types much these days.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1681315099
\u201c@ChristnNitemare @ItWasACoup @Mike_Hixenbaugh @JoeMyGod Hate has ravaged her.\u201d— Christian Nightmares (@Christian Nightmares) 1681315099
Jackson was widely criticized after news of her remarks went viral.
\u201c@TheTNHoller Wouldn't it be horrible to be her? Wouldn't it be horrible to be one of the bigots, the haters? I do feel sorry for them and often wonder how they got that way.\u201d— The Tennessee Holler (@The Tennessee Holler) 1681265878
\u201c@TheTNHoller Struggling to regain relevance.\u201d— The Tennessee Holler (@The Tennessee Holler) 1681265878
\u201c@TheTNHoller Eh, now her entire SNL cast hating her is making more sense.\u201d— The Tennessee Holler (@The Tennessee Holler) 1681265878
\u201c@TheTNHoller @MuellerSheWrote She's bitter because everyone changed the channel when one of her bits began.\u201d— The Tennessee Holler (@The Tennessee Holler) 1681265878
\u201c@TheTNHoller Perhaps Franklin could ban Victoria Jackson from provocatively posing in her flag underwear in public.\n\nIt\u2019s bad for the children.\u201d— The Tennessee Holler (@The Tennessee Holler) 1681265878
\u201c@TheTNHoller Didn\u2019t know she was bigoted like this. But the fact she called it San Fran, as a native San Franciscan myself, makes me cringe\u201d— The Tennessee Holler (@The Tennessee Holler) 1681265878
The festival will take place on June 3 at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm and is expected to attract around 5,000 people.
This year’s festival will not feature a drag show after opposition to the event expressed concern about the LGBTQ+ content being in a place where children could see it.
Organizers of the event chose to omit the drag show from this year’s festival in order to work with city leaders and ensure the permit was approved.
Opponents of the event argued they did not want their children to be exposed to drag shows and sexual performances in front of children, while supporters of the event argued it was family-friendly and people did not have to attend if they did not agree with it.
The festival is expected to be a significant event for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.
Franklin leaders were also set to vote on a new community decency policy, which would ban an event for two years if there is indecent behavior in public, including nudity, lewd or sexually suggestive behavior, indecent exposure, sexual acts, excessive and offensive intimate public displays of affection.
However the vote was deferred to the next meeting.
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David Cohen