ALBEMARLE, N.C. — Two volunteer members of Albemarle's planning and zoning board resigned after they used homophobic slurs during a discussion about how to zone establishments that allow drag performances, city officials said.
Video of the meeting obtained by WCNC Charlotte caught the moments both members used slurs into a live microphone. The feed was being streamed on the city's Facebook page but was removed due to the language. Public information officer David Fath identified the board members who resigned as Joey Gathings and Dean Speight Sr.
One of the board members, identified by the Stanly News & Press as Joey Gathings, used slurs when asked why so many people attended the meeting last Thursday night.
"That's for that damn drag queen and s--- like that around here," Gathings said. "That's that damn drag show, for (vulgarity) and (vulgarity)."
Dean Speight used a slur when asking if the large crowd was for or against drag performances. Gathings answered him by saying the group was against the "q------." The exchange happened during a brief recess to allow the crowd to leave after the board tabled an amendment regarding drag shows.
Mayor G.R. Michael confirmed to WCNC Charlotte that both members decided to resign "in the interest of the community."
"I respect their decision to resign in the interest of the community," Michael said in a statement to WCNC Charlotte. "We do not condone the words that were used and they do not represent the city of Albemarle's values or beliefs."
The city filled the open positions during Monday night's scheduled meeting, and city leaders said they intend to fill additional roles.
Kat Cornelius said she helped bring one of the drag shows to town before Tiffany's at the Boardroom, a business on Main Street, temporarily closed.
"To terrorize a business owner for offering this safe space to her community, it's terrifying, and what precedent does it set?" Cornelius said. "It just points out that there's still a pretty big problem in this area about equality and acceptance and allowing people to live their life without being terrorized.”
The planning and zoning board considers requests to the city's zoning ordinances and makes recommendations to the city council, according to the city of Albemarle's website. The board is made up of volunteers and must be city residents. The board also considers appeals of city rulings and the decisions of the zoning administrator and from individuals who own buildings that have been declared unfit for living.
Discussions on drag performances are expected to continue at September's meeting in Albemarle.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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