Katie, TX – On Saturday, the LGBTQ+ community came together to host a Pride Bingo Night event to raise money for transgender youth.
The event was held at Katie’s First Christian Church.
For most of the night, the event was positive and peaceful until two protesters showed up. KPRC arrested two persons detained by law enforcement.
last year, The church hosted a similar event, with hundreds of supporters and protesters speaking out.
Pride supporters stood outside the church with placards and waved pride flags.
The drug bingo event was aimed at transgender youth and was intended to raise funds for the church’s transparent closet and the addition of new youth safe spaces. Several LGBTQ+ people and activists expressed their support.
KPRC spoke to Reverend Heather Tolleson about a bill recently signed by the governor that would stop transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care. She said her goal is always to be supportive.
“I know it’s hard to speak for others, but the job we’ve taken on here at FCC Katy is to fulfill our mission of providing a safe space. “What’s going on in is detrimental to our trans community, so we’re going to fill the space with as much love as we can and provide a place for education and gathering,” Tolleson said.
KPRC also filmed two male supporters being handcuffed by law enforcement. Police did not disclose the circumstances leading up to the arrest or whether there were any suspicions. We spoke to demonstrators who said they had been beaten by the KPRC.
“We were praying here in front of the church. I tried to attack them. They got my autograph,” Max said.
Other residents said they were gearing up for the Katy Pride Festival on Oct. 14.
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