Gay pride controversy

Tulsa's annual gay pride week is more than a week away, but it's already stirring up controversy. As part of a week's worth events, Tulsa's gay and lesbian community has organized a "Gay

Thursday, May 26th 2005, 10:10 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's annual gay pride week is more than a week away, but it's already stirring up controversy. As part of a week's worth events, Tulsa's gay and lesbian community has organized a "Gay Day" at the Tulsa Zoo.

And that has some Tulsa parents upset. News on 6 reporter Ashli Sims says one Tulsa mother of four says she was shocked to see what's happening at the Tulsa Zoo on June 4th. Tulsa's gay community is having a "Gay Day" at the zoo for families and friends of gays and lesbians.

Its one of several events for Gay Pride week. Donna Jones: "That is something that we do frequently on Saturdays is go to the zoo and that's not something I would want to take my children to." Dan Hicks: "I just think itâ€™s very inappropriate to have a gay demonstration at the Tulsa Zoo where young children are and they're not ready for their parents to have to discuss these kinds of issues."

Organizers say the trip to the Tulsa Zoo is not meant to be a demonstration. Nancy McDonald with PFLAG: "Itâ€™s not anything about sexuality itâ€™s about family families enjoying each other and taking children to the zoo."

Zoo officials say they're aware of "Gay Day," but itâ€™s not a zoo-sponsored event.
Tulsa Zoo spokesperson Marnie DuCato: "Where as we're not particularly sponsoring this event, we are a city facility a public facility therefore we do not discriminate any group can come out here if they wish and visit the zoo."

Dan Hicks and Donna Jones don't agree with the gay lifestyle and they're concerned about exposing it to children. Dan Hicks: â€œAnd as a parent of three kids I would certainly want to be aware if there's a big homosexual demonstration so I can avoid that event."

Nancy McDonald: â€œI suspect there are gay men and women with family members and friends who happen to be gay that go to the zoo everyday."