City of Canyon blocks local advocacy group's event at Paul Lindsey Park

CANYON, Texas (KVII) — The Amarillo Area Transgender Advocacy Group has been holding its annual Transgender Visibility Day celebration at Paul Lindsey Park for the past two years.

This year they received a letter saying their permit was denied due to lewd activity during last year's event.

Performers and vendors for the event said they were surprised to hear about the denial seeing as they try to make the event as family-friendly as possible.

"Normally as a performer and a show producer, I put together the people and the music and everything and we try to be very respectful of the situation and the environment," said drag performer Myss Myka. "From my understanding from talking to the people at AATAG, the city had been very welcoming for the last two years,” said John Hintz from Open and Affirming Congregations. So, it's suddenly a stunning turnaround to say that it's obscene."

Sam Burnett, president of AATAG said he tried to call the city manager to see if he could explain why the permit was denied.

"When I asked him if he would give me an explanation, or please explain what it is that he's talking about he informed me that he would not answer any of my questions and that I could speak to his attorney," said Burnett.

ABC7 reached out to the city of Canyon for an interview, and they declined, issuing a statement saying, "The City of Canyon is dedicated to protecting the safety of our community. The group’s permit was denied due to issues at their 2023 event. This decision was made in an effort to safeguard the use of Canyon’s public spaces and all of those who visit them.”

AATAG is taking legal action.

Attorney Ryan Brown who's representing AATAG said the city is infringing on the group’s First Amendment Right of Free Speech.

Brown said he and members of AATAG believe the city was emboldened by West Texas A&M University President, Dr. Walter Wendler, deciding last March to cancel a charity drag show on campus.

"I think the city officials in Canyon felt that gave them the green light to cancel the event this year, even though they've allowed it several other years and there have been no arrests, no incidents involving lewdness,” said Brown, “Nothing like that at the other events."

Burnett said they initially went to Canyon to show queer communities everywhere they aren't alone.

"The year that we went to Canyon was the year they were trying to ban the suicide prevention video because there was a transgender person in it,” said Burnett. “We went to Canyon because Canyon has nothing for the LGBTQ+ community. We went to Canyon, so those kids knew they were not alone."

Burnett wants a public apology from the city and an admittance of wrongdoing.