Sheldon Gives Santa Ana Council Until Monday to Ban Gay Festival

The Rev. Louis Sheldon, the anti-gay crusader who has been battling next month’s Gay Pride Festival in Santa Ana, has given the City Council until Monday to ban the controversial event or face some unspecified action.

Sheldon, the leader of the Anaheim-based Traditional Values Coalition, held a press conference where he called on the council to approve a “pro-family” resolution that would ban the festival, now scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10 in Centennial Regional Park.

However, when informed of Sheldon’s request, Santa Ana City Atty. Edward J. Cooper said he will not recommend to the council that it pass any such resolution. He has told the council several times that the city and the members risk lawsuits if they revoke the festival’s permit.

The resolution not only seeks the council’s support of “traditional family values” but also calls for an emergency ban on the festival, charging that it presents a public safety hazard.

“There’s no evidence that an emergency ban is needed,” Cooper said.

Sheldon refused to divulge what action he would take if the council fails to heed his request. “We have not finalized anything in our minds,” Sheldon said Thursday, noting that he will “sit back and wait” until noon on Monday before he and his advisers decide what action to take against City Council members.

In the past Sheldon has threatened council members with recall if they didn’t cancel the event.

The Traditional Values Coalition resolution reads: “We encourage all families to show honor and respect for heterosexual marriage. We honor and respect the civil rights of all persons. . . . We believe in true minority status and do not condone behavior-based status.”

Council members Richards L. Norton, Ron May and Daniel E. Griset were unavailable for comment Thursday. Councilman John Acosta said he would support the resolution.

Mayor Daniel H. Young and Council members Miguel A. Pulido and Patricia A. McGuigan said they would base their decisions on the city attorney’s recommendation.

“Council members can be sued for revoking the permit. There’s a personal liability in changing a decision that has already been made,” said McGuigan, who added that she resents the pressure that Sheldon has placed on the council.

Sheldon’s resolution was greeted with disbelief by festival organizers.

“I believe he’s being quite foolish,” said Janet Avery, president of the Orange County Cultural Pride group, which is sponsoring the festival. “He’s putting City Council members in a very awkward position.”

Avery said her group will sue the city if it bans the festival.

“He is creating a political threat against the council members, and the council members are well aware that if they bend to this threat, they will be seriously affecting themselves and the taxpayers of Santa Ana. The festival will continue as planned even if it takes a federal court order.”

John J. Duran, an Anaheim attorney for the festival, said the council cannot legally ban the festival without violating the First Amendment.

“Sheldon keeps inflaming this issue, and I urged both sides to peacefully assemble and peacefully protest,” Duran said.

Duran also criticized Sheldon for pressuring the council.

“The whole idea of a religious extremist coercing city officials seems to violate the separation of church and state,” Duran said.

But Sheldon said religion was not the issue.

“Thousands of residents of Santa Ana who represent all different segments of the community are speaking out against the festival. Some happen to be very much religious, others are not,” Sheldon said.