LEANDER, Texas — A self-described “open and affirming church” in Texas has decided to host a “Drag Queen Story Time” for children at a local public library after city officials canceled an initial event, in part, due to opposition from residents.

Open Cathedral, a member of the United Church of Christ, rented out a room at the Leander Public Library after the City of Leander nixed the event due to the lack of a screening process for volunteers and after receiving phone calls of concern.

“[T’he City’s decision to cancel … at this time was made collectively among city and library management staff after receiving input from many citizens and community stakeholders,” a FAQ page on the city’s website reads.

Mayor Troy Hill also remarked in a statement that "social issues” shouldn’t be addressed in libraries or churches at all due to the division they cause.

"Our library, which is run by a company contracted by the City, chose to wade into social issues water without approval from city staff. Since then it has led to the predictable outrage and divisiveness that is the reason to avoid these issues,” he said, according to local television station KVUE.

"I propose we designate areas where we don’t wade into politics, social issues, or divisive discussions,” Hill stated. "Schools, music venues, churches, and yes, libraries are a great start. Let’s make Leander a place where we get along and focus on areas we agree on.”

However, after hearing about the cancellation, Open Cathedral, led by Ryan Hart, decided to rent out the conference room and host a drag queen event for the community itself.

“We wanted the kids of Leander to know they are safe and they are loved and being different is wonderful,” Hart told the Austin Statesman.

“Open Cathedral will host Drag Queen Story Time at Leander Public Library on June 15 at 3pm. Please join us. A drag queen will read children books about how wonderful it is to be unique and special,” an event page on Facebook also reads.

As of press time, nearly 400 people had marked themselves as “going,” with 1.6k “interested.”

While some assert that “Drag Queen Story Time” events teach children to be accepting, others believe that men dressing like women is not acceptable conduct and is sinful.

Romans 6 says that those who have been regenerated by the Spirit of God have been made free from the power of sin, and should no longer yield their bodies to unrighteousness, but to holiness.

“[F]or as[F] have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and becoming servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life.”

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