I welcomed Gettysburg Pride with open arms because I saw that they were refraining from allowing anyone under twenty-one, to one of their adult events. For this, I was truly thankful. I also passed by dancing on Carlisle Street and although I did not personally see illegal acts, it doesn’t mean others didn’t either. A friend who was walking with me, saw a woman sitting on a bench, exposing her female genitalia. This falls not only under, “indecent exposure,” laws, but also “grading” ones as well. The latter is due to minors being present as they too passed by.

THIS IS FROM THE PA LEGISLATURE!

§ 3127.  Indecent exposure.

(a)  Offense defined.–“A person commits indecent exposure if that person exposes his or her genitals in any public place or in any place where there are present other persons under circumstances in which he or she knows or should know that this conduct is likely to offend, affront or alarm.”

(b)  Grading.–“If the person knows or should have known that any of the persons present are less than 16 years of age, indecent exposure under subsection (a) is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Otherwise, indecent exposure under subsection (a) is a misdemeanor of the second degree.”

ANOTHER INCIDENT:

“Saw a picture of a leather girl with a guy walking down Steinwehr. She had a whip in her hand and his butt completely exposed.”

This falls under “lewd behavior.”

§ 5901.  Open lewdness.

“A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he does any lewd act which he knows is likely to be observed by others who would be affronted or alarmed.”

Let’s take it step further. Below is a picture of the David Wills/Abraham Lincoln statue at the Square. (Picture slightly blurred to as not see the people in the background).

“I grew to feel Lincoln, the man, the individual….a person of great dignity and vision…. I wanted him here on the sidewalk within our reach. That’s why I have done my best to bring Lincoln to the likeness of life…. to live amongst us and the coming generations of Americans. We welcome him back here today, to breathe new life into his message of equality and dignity for us all.”

Sculptor J. Seward Johnson

David Wills, is holding a copy of the Gettysburg Address that Lincoln recited on November 19, 1863. This speech, recited by President Lincoln, was in dedication to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, after the Battle of Gettysburg, on July 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 1863.

The PRIDE attire/scarf added to these statues, is an absolute disgrace, to the soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, who fought and died on these sacred battlefields.

“I would like to know why Mayor Rita C. Frealing and the Borough Council, allowed for the above desecration of a monument, dedicated to such an important event in our American history. I am aware Chad-Allen Carr is of the LGBTQ community himself. But this does not excuse him or other elected officials from doing their jobs. If so, it would be “favoritism.“

Would they be just as lenient, if the statue of Thaddeus Stevens on Baltimore Street, was draped with a Confederate Battle Flag, seeing how the mayor was present when it was dedicated? I think not!!!

But does not equality mean the same thing for everyone? Yet, because I speak up and draw attention certain illegal and unwanted behavior, I automatically am labeled a “homophobic,” “racist,” and a “White Supremist.” Call me what you will. I am just wanting our small historical town, to be respectful of its history and those who fought and died here, many as Unknowns.

And we are supposed to sit by and not speak up? Also, by giving Davis Wills a skirt, they made him a transgender. I feel the David Wills/Lincoln statue needs to be power washed immediately, and Mayor Frealing and the Borough Council be investigated as well. It’s an injustice to the soldiers, their families and the town that suffered a hellish aftermath not to. WE MUST HELP HISTORY SURVIVE! I am not against the LBGTQ community. I am against certain acts that I would also not accept from any heterosexual! To reach me for a comment: Juliana@JulianaLove.com

References: PA LEGISLATURE; https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/november-19/; google search; https://www.nps.gov/places/david-wills-house.htm; Kathy; VL photograph