Arlington churches waged covert 'battle' against Pride event, records show

ARLINGTON — Evangelical church leaders in Arlington met with city officials last summer in a covert “battle” against a downtown Pride event, according to records newly obtained by The Daily Herald.

The ministers aimed to deter the city from permitting Arlington Pride, a local nonprofit, to host drag performances in public, where children would be present. The nonprofit has led an annual LGBTQ+ event in the city since 2022.

To better understand the churches’ pressure campaign and concerns, The Daily Herald filed a records request with the city in May 2023. Parts of the request remained pending this week.

The Herald also reviewed over 100 sermons from religious leaders at Arlington Lifeway, Calvary Arlington, Jake’s House Church, Atonement Free Lutheran Church and Christ the King Church, finding dozens of examples of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

Emails obtained via records request showed these same church leaders lobbied to influence City Hall in Arlington, in meetings with officials as well as emailed comments.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/arlington-churches-waged-covert-battle-against-pride-event-records-show/