UPDATE ON EVENTS OCCURING IN CITY OF CARBONDALE PRESS RELEASE
Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/10/2024
12:00 am
Categories
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CARBONDALE –
The City of Carbondale is a Public Entity that is dedicated and obliged to protecting the First Amendment
Rights of Everyone.
We were met with a request from a group, Leadership Institute, a non-partisan organization, to rent a public
space to hold a public forum this evening. This event was scheduled to be held on SIU Campus and was
cancelled due to a technicality. When the City was contacted, staff began to consider options for space
considering other previous obligations within the Civic Center. With following First Amendment Rights, we
must honor the following components:
Freedom of speech: The government cannot restrict freedom of speech; and
Freedom of assembly: The people have the right to peacefully assemble.
In accordance with First Amendment protections, we must honor the principles of freedom of speech and
freedom of assembly. These rights are fundamental to our democratic society, and it is our responsibility to
uphold them.
At the Carbondale Civic Center this evening, the City of Carbondale is hosting a City sponsored event honoring
and holding space for our community to talk about LGBTQ+ History Month. This October, the City of
Carbondale proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of LGBTQ History Month in the United States. Inspired by
The Paulette Curkin Pride Resource Center’s named theme for their 2024 LGBTQ History Month event
calendar, this month’s dialogue will center on Reclaiming Queer History. Golden Rainbows of Illinois South
(GRIS) will kick off the evening by highlighting the queer history of our region and state. Attendees from
diverse backgrounds will then personally reflect on queer history and discuss issues facing the aging LGBTQ
community while enjoying a community meal.
This event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 5:30pm and the Dinner & Dialogue will begin at
6:00pm. Seating is limited and registration is preferred. To register, please click here. For more information,
please contact Dianah McGreehan at dmcgreehan@carbondaleil.gov or call 618-457-3282.
The City is truly concerned about the safety of everyone and is dedicated to creating safe spaces for all. In
overall consideration of safety and venue options, the Carbondale Public Safety Center was determined to be an
option as a venue location, for the Leadership Institute’s scheduled event. We continue to work to grow, learn,
and evolve together as a City- to create a space where everyone can feel heard and seen. We are a strongly
diverse city; something we hold with great pride. We cannot speak for any individual or any groups of
individuals; the freedom of speech is held within each individual and group that makes up our City.
Carbondale Interim City Manager and Police Chief said, “The City of Carbondale is a public entity dedicated to
protecting the First Amendment rights of everyone. We recently received a request for rent a public space for a
forum, which had been cancelled at another location due to a technicality. When the City was approached, our
staff carefully considered options while balancing other scheduled events at the Civic Center.
The City of Carbondale is proud to be hosting an important community event this evening at the Civic Center in
celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month. We are honoring 30 years of LGBTQ+ history. The eventhighlights the
history of our region and state and opens the floor for meaningful conversations.
We are committed to ensuring the safety of everyone in our city, and as part of our considerations of venue
options, the Carbondale Public Safety Center was identified as an alternative location for the forum. As a
diverse and inclusive city, we take great pride in fostering spaces where all voices can be heard. We continue to
grow and evolve as a community, striving to create environments where people from all walks of life feel seen,
heard, and respected.”
For further information contact City of Carbondale’s Public Relations Officer at 618-713-0711.
“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease.
It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are
open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways.
That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open… for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”