Совет города Джоплин выделил почти 13 тысяч долларов на Pridefest несмотря на критику жителей

JOPLIN, MO. - (KOAM) - The Joplin City Council moved forward with funding for next year's JOMO Pridefest on first reading Tuesday night, approving nearly $13,000 in lodging tax dollars for the annual LGBTQIA+ community event despite heated debate from some residents. The council approved grant funding for 16 special events and festivals through the Convention and Visitors Bureau, with total funding recommendations exceeding $163,000. JOMO Pridefest was among the events selected to receive support. The decision reflects the council's commitment to using tourism-specific revenue to attract visitors and support community events. According to Missouri State Senate candidate Imma Curl, the funding benefits the entire city's economy. "Everybody benefits from that," said Curl. "All of the small businesses, our hotels, our food, just all of our vendors. So it is very important that we keep it so no money comes out of the general fund that is very specifically earmarked just for our tourism." The lodging tax, also known as a transient accommodation tax, is collected from hotel and short-term rental stays and is designated specifically for tourism promotion and visitor-related events. This funding mechanism ensures that no general fund dollars support the events. Community members who support the event say Pridefest serves an important purpose for Joplin's LGBTQIA+ population and the broader community. "There are people that come from all over the country for this," Joplin Democratic Socialists interim chair Austin Reed said. "Joplin has a larger LGBTQIA+ citizenry and it also has a progressive base that normally just don't turnout at the polls." However, the funding decision generated opposition from some residents. Missouri-based content creator Heather Overstreet took to Facebook to urge the city to reconsider the grant, raising concerns about the use of public funds for the event. Despite the criticism, supporters argue that denying funding would send a discriminatory message. They point out that Pridefest follows the same grant application and approval process as other festivals and events that receive city support. "If they deny funding for this it's going to come across as really discriminatory, because there is no good reason for them to deny funding for this," said Reed. "This is no different than any other festival that applies for this grant that then gets it." Curl emphasized that approving the funding protects not only the LGBTQIA+ community but sets a precedent for supporting all marginalized groups in Joplin. "If we start cutting back funding for certain community members, then when is that going to stop?", said Curl. "When is that going to stop for our our minorities, our immigrant communities? If you even want to start going in there, what about women?" The council passed the measure on first reading Tuesday night. The funding recommendations will return to the council for a final vote at a later meeting before the grants are officially distributed to the 16 approved events and festivals. COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.