Update:
Commissioner Roger Belknap released a statement on his campaign blog about the controversy regarding a message on his laptop.
It reads in part:
"My issue wasn’t with the LGBTQ+ population as a whole, rather it was a protest of Reverend Jared Cramer and his blessing and sponsorship of an 'all-ages' drag show at the safe space of the Grand Haven Waterfront Stadium."
It went on to say more about St. John Episcopal Church Grand Haven Reverend Jared Cramer.
"If I had wanted to disrespect Rev. Cramer, I would’ve given him the nickname of 'Reverend Kink' and left a few bucks on the podium for his prayer. I understand he has attorney fees."
You can read his entire statement in full here.
Original story:
A recent silent protest against a local reverend's beliefs may have reignited a lawsuit against Ottawa County.
On Feb. 13, Reverend Jared Cramer delivered his first pre-meeting prayer to the board. The St. John Episcopal Church Grand Haven reverend touched on a number of topics, including mental health and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Directly in front of him was Commissioner Roger Belknap, with his computer displaying a sticker that read, "THE WAR ON CHILDREN . COM"
"I don't know, maybe because we had a minister that attended today that was a sponsor of that event," Belknap explained.
Cramer filed a religious discrimination lawsuit back in October. He claims the board limited who could give the invocation. His lawsuit went on to say the only ones who have delivered it have the same or similar religious views as the Ottawa County Chairperson Joe Moss.
Cramer was one of the organizers of the Grand Haven First-ever Pride Festival.
An event Belknap says concerned him, and included a drag queen event where children were seen handing dollar bills to the performers.
"Whether or not I think that happens as an adult, as a consenting adult, that's one thing. But when you have children doing that, you're gonna have them confused. I'm sorry, that's just the way I see the world," Belknap explained.
Cramer's attorney, Sarah Howard, now argues in a new filing that Belknaps's sign was intentional, demonstrating his lack of respect for Cramer's views.
Ottawa County's recent invocation policy is "intended to acknowledge and express the [Commission's] respect for numerous religious denominations and faiths represented."
Howard's brief explains that the county asked for the lawsuit to be dropped because of an "assumption from an unanswered email and letter."
She believes Belknap's sign at the meeting Feb. 13 proves her client's request to lead the county in prayer was ignored.
