George Teal, a Douglas County commissioner, wrote on Facebook about the incident that occurred at PrideFest on Saturday when a performer’s artificial breasts were exposed at some point.
“This is not the first year we have all dealt with the issues around Pridefest,” Teal wrote. “I do believe we had a violation of the Zoning uses for the Fairgrounds this weekend. Exotic adult entertainment is not an allowed use at the Fairgrounds.”
The event’s Castle Rock Pride organizers issued an apology on Monday on Facebook, explaining that the incident wasn’t intentional and that it was caused by a clothing malfunction.
“One of our performer’s outfits shifted during an aerial acrobatics performance and revealed fake nipples on the silicone breast plate which was part of the costume,’’ the organizers wrote. “We want to be clear that this was not a planned part of the performance. Castle Rock Pride did not approve this, nor do we find it acceptable at Douglas County PrideFest. It’s unfortunate that this incident, while accidental, occurred.”
Teal said that it doesn’t matter if the incident was accidental, adding that a “group of Military Veterans having a party where a scantily clad young lady jumps out of a cake… It’s just not allowed at our publicly funded Fairgrounds.”
He also said that given the “zoning violation” in using the Fairgrounds, he plans to vote to “ban the return of Pridefest in the future.”
“There is substantial evidence the organizers allow, or at least are unable to prevent, participants from performing acts of exotic adult entertainment,” he added.
Commissioner Abe Laydon didn’t say whether he would vote for or against the ban, according to KDVR, while Commissioner Lora Thomas said she will decide after all facts and evidence emerge.
“Just a reminder, I and my colleagues are County Commissioners. We can’t arrest anyone for a violation of State Law… we are not the Sheriff,” Teal said. “We can’t prosecute anyone for violating State Law… We are not the District Attorney. We can however craft rules and regulations on the use of County Property within Douglas County, Colorado.”
Castle Rock Pride said in another statement on Facebook without naming Teal that “it’s unacceptable that there are politicians who characterize our family-friendly entertainment as exotic adult dancing and who want to make this single incident an excuse to follow their agenda to erode diversity, equity, and inclusion for all in Douglas County.
“On behalf of Castle Rock Pride, we sincerely apologize for the costume malfunction that occurred at our recent August 27 Douglas County PrideFest. We are a group of parents who create this event so that all families and children can enjoy a day of food, games, music and just plain fun in a safe, non-judgemental [sic] environment.”
Heather Gonzales, one of the Douglas County’s PrideFest founders, accused Teal of being “homophobic” and added that he has “an agenda in the LGBTQ+ community. This is nothing more than a blatant attack on the community.”
Newsweek reached out to Castle Rock Pride for comment.
