Easter celebration canceled due to threat of LGBT inclusion

by Austin Stallings
Gayly Intern

STOCKTON, CA – The organizers of the Easter celebrations for the town of Stockton, California have recently canceled their town's Easter festivities, rather than allow people of the LGBT community to participate.

Stockton Police Chief Jim Reid mistakenly invited Valley Ministries, an LGBT-inclusive church, to attend the celebration. Reid later rescinded his invitation to Reverend Terri Miller after realizing that Valley Ministries was LGBT-friendly.

Pink News reports that Reid, when asked about his decision, said "We are diametrically different in our view of scripture when it comes to homosexuality."

Reid was placed on leave by the Stockton Police Department and later fired.

The Stockton Leadership foundation later re-invited Miller and the Valley Ministries, however, the entire event would later be canceled.

Reid, who remains on the board of the organization, said to the Stockton Record that if Valley Ministries were allowed to take part, it would lead to “media frenzy”.

When Miller was asked about the cancelation, she said, "It'd be great if we could have truly a citywide Easter service. When you use the label citywide, it should mean everybody."

The town will still be hosting a few Easter themed events leading up to the holiday, including an Easter Bunny photo-op at their local mall.

The Gayly – 3/11/2016 @ 11:40 a.m. CST