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In case you missed it, recent reporting by the Caledonian Record has cast light on another incident of homophobic prejudice by Republican members of Littleton's Select Board, spearheaded by State Senator Carrie Gendreau.
Theatre UP, a local theater troupe, has paused plans to extend a lease at the Littleton Opera House as a performance venue after they were told by municipal officials that a long-term partnership was unlikely following complaints from the members of the Littleton Select Board for the troupe’s support for the LGBTQ+ community.
This change in plans will affect the troupe’s upcoming production of the LGBTQ+ themed musical "La Cage aux Folles."
This is latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in the North Country following State Senator Carrie Gendreau’s pointed criticism of murals on a private building along Main Street in Littleton, which have prompted fears of a public art ban in the town.
Read key excerpts here:
Caledonian Record: Theatre Up Pauses Opera House Plans Amid Select Board LGBTQ+ Stance
In a statement, Theatre UP representatives said they were told by municipal officials that a long-term partnership was unlikely due to the “current climate” and Theatre UP’s affiliation with the LGBTQ+ community.
“We were told there have been complaints from community and Selectboard members about La Cage aux Folles, and that the question of whether it could/should be allowed has been explored,” the statement said.
The meeting comes weeks after Select Board member Carrie Gendreau drew vocal opposition for her criticism of LGBTQ+ murals on a private building along Main Street, raising fears about town-sponsored censorship.
The Select Board is expected to take up the issue at its next meeting on Oct. 23. at the Littleton Opera House.