'This could potentially destroy Moon Tunes entirely': LGBTQ advocacy group denied vendor booth at pride month concert

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- A La Crosse LGBTQ+ advocacy group will not be allowed to set up a booth at a pride month Moon Tunes concert Thursday.

That's according to a Facebook post Wednesday, in which The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection says they were informed of the decision by the Valley View Rotary on Tuesday.

The event, titled "Night of Love", was part of a plan to "create positive change for our community" following an incident at the Moon Tunes Woodstock concert in September of 2023.

In the correspondence sent by Valley View Rotary's board president Peggy Derrick Tuesday, they say their decision not to allow a vendor booth stems from a "long-standing policy" of not sponsoring advocacy at Moon Tunes events, citing worry that the event could be turned into a "political football".

"A major concern is that if it did become politicized, then the volunteers needed to run the event could be immersed in high levels of conflict and no longer be willing to participate," Derrick's email reads. "It was the consensus that this could potentially destroy Moon Tunes entirely."

The Center, previously under the impression that they would be allowed the booth as part of an apology for the September 2023 incident, is now distancing themselves from the event.

"Throughout the month of June, we have been advertising this event as an LGBTQ+ friendly event," their post on Facebook reads. "Due to the lack of inclusion promised and how the emails were phrased informing us of their unanimous voting decision, we do not feel comfortable advertising or being affiliated with this event."

News 8 Now has reached out to both Valley View Rotary and The Center for comment. The "Night of Love" Moon Tunes concert begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Park and is set to feature Tugg and the La Crosse Confluence.

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