BARTLESVILLE, Oklahoma — The Bartlesville City Council voted Tuesday to direct staff to develop possible actions in the wake of the city’s first Pride celebration.
According to the city, the council voted 4-1 to develop “actions that could lead to one or more local ordinances regulating ‘adult entertainment’ in public places.”
The vote came after months of debate among Bartlesville citizens over the Oklahomans-sponsored Pride for Equality in Bartlesville event held at Unity Square Park. A pride event he held in September and included a drag show.
At the October 2022 city council meeting, Bartlesville residents submitted an online petition that gathered 2,000 signatures and called on the city council to take action. The city said these signatures are considered unverified.
The petition called on Congress to “determine whether this activity violates any state law, city ordinance, or city contract for the use of public areas, and to take appropriate action if it does.” If you have not violated any laws or ordinances and are not in violation of your current contract, please consider this issue and consider a new city ordinance banning adult activities in public areas.”
Hundreds of people attended city council meetings since October when it came to the Pride event, according to the city. broke down,” he said. [in December] After the complainant withdraws from the discussion. ”
The council voted to authorize Bartlesville City Attorney Jess Kane to hire an outside attorney with constitutional expertise to help draft possible city ordinance options.
©2023 Cox Media Group
