April 19, 2024
If The Humanity Fund has its way, a rainbow-colored Festivus Pole could be adorning the rotunda of the Georgia state capitol by Dec. 23.
Just in time for Christmas.
Chaz Stevens, a Floridian, has succeeded with the pole’s installation in Florida and has plans for the nearly seven-foot Gay Pride Festivus Pole in Illinois, Michigan, and Washington. It was recently approved by officials in Oklahoma but ran into problems in Arkansas.
He’s taking the campaign nationally and Georgia is next on his campaign focus. Earlier this month he petitioned the Georgia Building Authority to erect the pole with glitter, a disco ball, and rainbow colors at the State Capitol on Dec. 23.
Georgia Baptist’s Public Affairs Committee Representative Mike Griffin told The Index, “First of all this display has nothing to do with Christmas. However, Christmas displays in public are very much a part of our country’s heritage and founding. Political correctness has no place in Christmas.
“Leave Christmas alone.”
Stevens reportedly told Project Q Atlanta, a prominent gay website, that Georgia state officials have approved the request to erect the pole on Dec. 23 but The Index has been unable to verify the claim.
A headline in today’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated “A Gay Pride Festivus Pole” could soon land in Georgia’s Capitol.”
Dec. 23 is the day the fictional holiday, first depicted in the Seinfield television show, was jokingly introduced at a family dinner. In that show Frank Constanza stated celebrants get to “tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year” followed by a “feats of strength” contest.
The AJC also reports that it is unclear whether Georgia officials will allow a Festivus pole, but acknowledged that it has hit a roadblock in Arkansas. Officials there denied Stevens’ request citing trademark issues and concerns about how the pole will be anchored.
The newspaper quoted Stevens as saying it should be a no-brainer for Georgia leaders.
“There are no moving parts, no power requirements,” he said. “But plenty of opportunities to air one’s grievances.”
Stevens was inspired to launch his gay war on Christmas by Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to recognize gay marriages.
Stevens told the Broward Palm Beach New Times, “You should be able to marry, love and divorce whoever you want … I wanted to tweak these people. What better way than to put up a gay pride pole right next to baby Jesus? It’s not only the War on Christmas, but the Gay War on Christmas.”
Stevens hopes the poles helps his Humanity Fund raise $10,000 to support LGBT youth organizations but it has only raised $800 in its first month.
Stevens, who describes himself as an atheist, but straight – sees the pole as delivering a message of inclusivity and diversity. He says the pole “will celebrate those rights and raise awareness to LGBT youth who are bullied.”
