Earlier this month, media around the state covered the story of the South Central Queers and Equality group, a local LGBTQ+ organization in the Sauk City/Prairie du Sac area that “won” the right to participate in the annual Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throwing Festival at Marion Park in Sauk Prairie. The group had initially been denied access due to a policy held by the event organizers that steered them away from allowing any political or “controversial” entries.

The groups original exclusion was also the result of an alleged complaint from a community member regarding their potential participation.

But because the group was eventually allowed to participate, the story was reported as a positive development, a victory of inclusion for LGBTQ+ community members, with Madison’s WKOW article stating that, “What began as a moment of division has turned into one of unity.”

The same article quotes Jamie Wallace, president of the South Central Queers and Equality as saying, “It just felt like I just wanted to scream it from the rooftop. And I let everybody know on our committee that we were approved, and I can now look at my son and let him know that he gets to be in the parade.”

And while on the surface it does appear to be a win for the group, this reporting on the events undeniably spins the dynamic to be more of a misunderstanding rather than one deeply rooted in a problematic and homophobic reality.

For instance, the article quotes the event organizer’s statement insisting that, “Our event has always been rooted in the values of community, celebration, and family-friendly fun. A few years ago, in response to public feedback, we adopted a policy aimed at ensuring that all parade participants align with the spirit of inclusivity and harmony that defines our event.”

However, they didn’t take the time to unpack the fact that this statement assumes that if denying LGBTQ+ community members access will lead to “family-friendly fun” and an “spirit of inclusivity,” then the families and spirits whose experiences they are centering are inherently heteronormative, and are also most likely white.

This way of intentionally framing the narrative is fundamentally exclusionary, and purposefully “others” LGBTQ+ people, as well as anybody from any other marginalized identities: a convention that is not new, nor is it unexpected.

That said, it is always worth taking the time to point out these hypocritical narratives whenever they surface because at their core, they miss the most central underlying truth: that no matter who you love or what you look like, your experience is as central as anybody else’s and your inclusion should be, too.