Debate over PRIDE in Leduc

Leduc city council dealt with a controversial presentation at Monday’s meeting.
Resident Karen Richert, who was a candidate for council in the 2021 election, gave a presentation entitled; Pride and Prejudice. Our Voices Matter Too. Setting the Record Straight.
“I am confident that most members of city council do not support all of the sentiments and activities that are promoted under the name of PRIDE. This city council remains publicly silent and allows citizens to be called haters if anyone speaks with concern about aspects of PRIDE,” Richert stated early in her presentation.
She had embedded videos within her presentation, but when she asked for the first one to be played she was told by Mayor Bob Young the content of the videos submitted were inappropriate in the council chambers setting.
Richert made a number of demands of council during her presentation, which lasted roughly a half hour.
“Will council refuse the addition of the “Minor attracted Persons”, any adult with an attraction to minors, Pride Flag,” Richert asked, prompting this response.
“I don’t even know what that is,” Young said.
The two verbally skirmished for a moment on the subject before the mayor fired a question back.
“Did you want us to take the rainbow flag off of Lucky Charms too,” Young asked while referencing the popular children’s cereal.
Richert’s other demands were also dismissed by Young who noted that none of the examples she used in her presentation were from verified events which had taken place in the city of Leduc.
There were roughly 30 people in the gallery during Richert’s presentation who appeared to represent both sides of the controversial issue. Two uniformed RCMP officers were also in chambers, and at one point in the meeting, one was asked by Young to remove a man who would not stop making loud comments directed at council during the presentation.