Exploring the Controversy Around the Nonbinary Musician’s Invitation to Perform at the Sedgwick County Fair

Sedgwick County Fair Contemplates Allowing Nonbinary Musician to Perform

The Sedgwick County Fair Board in Cheney, Kansas, will hold a secret meeting to decide whether local nonbinary musician Hunter Gromala can perform on opening night after social media backlash. Though the event has been canceled, Gromala was originally scheduled to perform on July 12. Social media reactions have been divisive, with some outraged over Gromala’s nonbinary identity, as the county is known for its conservative views. Gromala, who grew up in Wichita, has assured that their performance would be family-friendly.

Background on the Controversy

The Sedgwick County Fair Association, which puts on the fair, owns the fairgrounds, and receives over $29,000 annually from the county. The issue has stirred since fair organizers asked Gromala to turn over their setlist for review before the show, to ensure that the selection would be deemed “appropriate.” The list includes only rock and pop covers that Gromala sang in their car as a child and music that makes them happy. Despite the backlash, Gromala’s social media channels have seen an outpouring of support from various groups. As of now, the fair board will decide whether the nonbinary musician can perform after an undisclosed private meeting.

Philosophical Discussion

Most importantly, individuals should be able to perform and live their lives without the fear of suppression and rejection due to their gender, sexual orientation, or identity. This decision should not be up to the fair board but, rather, to the public’s discretion to show support or fire against it—the idea of deciding what people are allowed to see and hear is controlling, as it censors an individual’s expression. These actions fail to recognize an individual’s fundamental human right to freedom of expression and speech. It restricts performance and speech in ways that counter the founding principles of the United States. Being nonbinary should not prohibit anyone from performing as it does not affect the quality of the performance itself.

Editorial and Advice

The decision of the Sedgwick County Fair Board to have a secret meeting in response to the nonbinary musician is unacceptable. Secrecy creates an environment of mistrust in the community, and it does not promote open conversation and communication among the public. The fair board has a moral obligation to repeal secrecy and allow the public to participate in the decision-making process to guarantee a fair and equitable decision. Secondly, the fair board should not be given the right to censor an individual’s music under any circumstances. By doing so, they will be showing an amount of discrimination against nonbinary individuals that is unacceptable. The people deserve to hear Gromala’s music, and their identity should not be a basis for any decision-making process.

In conclusion, the decision lies with the people. Communities should not tolerate any discrimination against nonbinary individuals or any individual who wishes to express themselves with art. Therefore, the actions of the fair board in withholding information and censoring the musician’s performances demands urgent reconsideration.