(NASHVILLE) On Friday (10/20/2023) Chief Federal Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw signed an order that blocks the City of Murfreesboro and officials from enforcing its anti-LGBTQ+ ordinance during the BoroPride festival weekend. (Case No. 3:23-cv-01044) The ruling came just eght days before the event is scheduled.
The judge's ruling states, "The City of Murfreesboro (defendant), acting through Defendant City Manager Craig Tindall; Defendant City Mayor Shane McFarland; the City’s police department; or any other City official or entity, shall not enforce or take any action pursuant to Murfreesboro City Ordinance 23-O-22."
The federal ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU), Ballard Spahr, and Burr Forman against the City of Murfreesboro on behalf of the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), founder and host of the annual BoroPride Festival.
As you recall, Murfreesboro City Manager Craig Tindall sent written notice to the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) that the city's lawsuit was filed because the 2022 BoroPride Festival at Cannonsburgh Village violated city ordinances because it was "clearly unsuitable for all ages."
Reportedly, TEP denied that any lewd behavior took place at last year's BoroPrice event.
TEP Executive Director Chris Sanders released a written statement, "We are relieved that the court has taken action to ensure that Murfreesboro's discriminatory ordinance will not be enforced during the BoroPride festival. We look forward to a safe, joyful celebration of Murfreesboro's LGBTQ+ community."
The federal order allows the BoroPride Festival to move forward while the litigation continues.
Ballard Spahr and Burr Forman with the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU) released a joint written statement, “We are grateful that the court has temporarily blocked the anti-LGBTQ+ ordinance and protected the free speech and expression of Murfreesboro residents and drag performers during the BoroPride Festival. This festival creates a safe space to celebrate the freedom of self-expression and cultivates community, solidarity, and joy among LGBTQ+ community members. LGBTQ+ people should not have to live in fear of being targeted by their local elected officials and we will continue to protect this space and the free speech rights of Murfreesboro residents until this ordinance is struck down for good.”
Here is Federal Judge Crenshaw's ruling from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee: https://www.aclu-tn.org/
2023 BoroPride
The seventh annual BoroPride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 1:00-8:00PM at Middle Tennessee State University's Tennessee Miller Coliseum, 304 W. Thompson Lane.
