CITIZENS CRITICIZE BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL OVER FLOYD’S LOUNGE DRAG SHOW

  

Members of the public expressed frustration with the Brenham City Council today (Thursday) over what they consider to be a lack of action in response to last month’s Drag Brunch at Floyd’s Lounge.

Four citizens addressed the council during the public comment section of the meeting, with several others in the crowd who applauded after each person spoke.  Each called on councilmembers to take steps against allowing events such as these. 

The first resident who spoke, Carol Collins, claimed photos and video shared online indicated the event was more explicit than the description provided beforehand by Floyd’s co-owner Pete Simpson.  She called for the council to remove Simpson from his spot on the Main Street Board, investigate any potential city ordinance violations, prohibit any businesses from holding events like this, and bill Floyd’s for the large number of city police officers who stood guard outside.

Simpson said before the drag show that the event would involve three individuals in women’s clothing who would lip sync songs and perform comedy.  He said the private, ticketed event was restricted to guests over 18 and would not include any nudity, lingerie, stripping or touching from the performers or guests.

Collins contested Simpson’s account, saying video from the event showed some of the performers in revealing apparel, dancing in a “very sexually provocative matter”, soliciting cash from patrons and allowing touching from them.  In a longer version of her letter to the council sent by Collins to KWHI, she also claimed a young man who “appeared to be in his teens” was in attendance, although there was not a way to verify the person’s age from the video.

KWHI reached out to Simpson, who was not in attendance at the council meeting, for a response.  He said he had no comment at this time. 

Pastor John Dowling said the council should not wait for Texas legislators to make a change regarding the allowance of drag shows and their exposure to younger audiences, and should instead take charge on its own. 

Pastor Jon Davies reiterated his stance shared at the council’s meeting on February 2^nd, saying morality should determine legislation, not the other way around. 

Candy Arth said she was “ashamed” of the city council’s inaction on this issue and implored its members to take a stand.  

Because the citizens’ remarks came during public comment, councilmembers were not allowed to reply. 

In January, the city issued a statement saying it “does not have the general authority to regulate events held by private businesses and/or organizations unless laws or ordinances are violated, citizens are placed in harm’s way, or other public health and safety reasons authorize action by the City.”

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Approved a professional services agreement with Kendig Keast Collaborative for no more than $70,000 for consulting services to produce a Small Area Plan for the land comprised in the future Brenham Family Park.  The plan is expected to be completed in seven months.
• Approved an amendment to the election services contract between the city and Washington County for the May 6^th election.  The county requested that there only be one single ballot for cost effectiveness and to reduce confusion, due to the city, Brenham ISD and Blinn College all having a contested election.
• Received a presentation of the first quarter financial report for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year.
• Held executive session to discuss the development, operations, funding and possible acquisition of The Barnhill Center, and to consult with the city attorney regarding the Aviators Plus lawsuit and the Lake Somerville raw water intake structure. After executive session, the council authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute all documents related to the acquisition of The Barnhill Center from Brenham Main Street Historical Preservation, Inc.