JOPLIN, Mo. — A local LGBTQ+ organization is calling for the removal of a Joplin council member, after comments were made on Facebook regarding “gender dysphoria.”
The founder and co-chair of JOMO Pride, Ron Burch is organizing a recall petition for Joplin councilmember, Ryan Jackson.
The petition states Jackson has, “failed to uphold his oath of office and has shown an inability to conduct himself in a manner that preserves public confidence and respect for the government in which he serves…”
The petition comes after Jackson made several comments on the KSN Facebook page, regarding a story about Transgender Day of Visibility.
In the comments, Jackson refers to gender dysphoria as a mental illness.
In the same comment thread, Jackson re-posted a photo that Burch says is “disrespectful rhetoric.”
In a statement, Burch says, “A sitting council member continuing to make disparaging and derogatory statements in public forums about the most vulnerable people in our community, and engaging in divisive rhetoric, comes at a price.”
Jackson responded by saying, “I think all council members are entitled to our personal opinions as long as we share that in our personal capacity, and not from our council pages, or on behalf of the council, then we should be able to do that. I should be entitled to my freedom of speech just as anyone else is.”
You can read the entire statement from Bruch and Jackson, below:
Ron Burch Statement
A sitting Councilmember continuing to make disparaging and derogatory statements in public forums about the most vulnerable people in our community, and engaging in divisive rhetoric, comes at a price.
Hatespeech, slurs, making fun of those with disabilities and mental illnesses should not be tolerated from a sitting council member who should be held to a higher standard. This Recall Petition will serve as a pathway to show our community that they have the power to hold our elected officials accountable for their words and actions.
The Recall Petition is broad in language and not due to a singular incident, but a culmination of issues since Councilmember Jackson took office. More detailed information will be released after we address the full Council at an upcoming City Council meeting, at which time a press conference will be scheduled.
— Ron Burch, Citizen Petition Organizer, Co-Chair & Founder of JOMO Pride, Inc.
Ryan Jackson Statement
I think all council members are entitled to our personal opinions and as long as we share that in our personal capacity and not from our council pages or on behalf of the council then we should be able to do that. I should be entitled to my freedom of speech just as anyone else is.
I’ve had criticism from other residents when they saw opinions or postings from council members they disagreed with and perhaps I didn’t agree with as well but it’s their right to have their opinion.
This is a huge topic on many levels in our country and we should be able to talk about it. I simply don’t indulge in calling men who are men women, or calling women who are women men. We should respect each other’s respective private spaces.
— Ryan Jackson, Joplin Councilmember (Zone 3)