Volusia Pride Statement on Volusia County Council’s Decision to Withhold Cultural Arts Funding

Volusia Pride is disappointed, concerned, and devastated by the actions taken by the Volusia County Council on October 7th, 2025, to withhold cultural arts funding from 33 community organizations because a mere two of them, the Athens Theatre and Shoestring Theatre, have previously rented space to our organization. In fact, we ask you to take a moment to reflect on just how disturbing this turn of events truly is.

Council Member Danny Robins, representing District 3, chose to pull Community Cultural Grants from the consent agenda, explicitly citing drag performances hosted by Volusia Pride at both the Athens Theatre and Shoestring Theatre.

The funding allocated to Athens and Shoestring Theatre amounts to $39,832, approximately just 6% of the total cultural arts grants program. Yet, the Council’s decision impacts the entire cultural sector in Volusia County. Is this measured? Is this just? Is this fair? No. Is this targeted? Absolutely. Volusia Pride hasn't even applied for any of these specific grants ourselves. This conversation should have nothing to do with us. But now that we've been invoked, it is our duty to respond.

For further reading, here is the link to the supplemental agenda item that detailed each organization that was scheduled to receive funds, and their statement of the fund allocation:

https://vcservices.vcgov.org/agenda/agendas/20251007/Item-H-12941-Supplemental-Document.pdf

It is also important to note that all cultural funding awarded through this program is program-specific and cannot legally be used for anything beyond the projects already vetted and approved by the Volusia Cultural Arts Council.

Further compounding the issue, the Council refused to approve the funding even after the Athens Theatre and Shoestring Theatre were excluded from consideration. This brings into question whether the intention from the start may not have been to support these vital cultural programs at all. Instead, Volusia Pride is being used as a convenient scapegoat to deflect from a broader effort to undermine the arts and the voices they uplift in our community.

This action sets a dangerous precedent. To punish dozens of organizations and the communities they serve over disagreement with a portion of programming that is not even funded by the grant is not just unjust and discriminatory; it is harmful to the cultural and economic vitality of our county.

When government officials use their power to penalize entire sectors because of their programming or because of whom they engage in legal business practices, it undermines the principles of fairness and free expression that our democracy is built upon.

Volusia Pride will continue to advocate for a Volusia County where art, culture, and free expression are protected, where LGBTQ+ people are not only included but celebrated, and where public resources are distributed equitably and without political bias. Now more than ever, our cultural institutions need community support. We urge everyone who believes in the power of the arts and the importance of free expression to stand with our local cultural organizations. Please consider making a financial contribution to help those organizations you hold dear.

Furthermore, we will be announcing a fundraiser for both the Athens Theatre and the Shoestring Theatre in the near future.

Ironically, Councilman Danny Robins said it best: “we have a moral and societal obligation to promote the arts,” which he correctly characterized as part of “the lifeblood of Volusia County.” This much is true. Where we question his honesty is when he says that he stands “on principle” in this matter. Councilman Robins claims not to seek to “stifle free speech or expression.” Yet, what has he done? He has threatened the entire Volusia County cultural landscape over a couple drag performances hosted by Athens and Shoestring, under the ridiculous argument that their receipt of any county funding at all should be conditional upon the county exercising total authority over every single piece of art hosted on their premises, whether it is government-funded or not.

Free speech is under attack. Local artistic freedoms are under attack. Right before our very eyes, the Volusia County Council is trying to destroy these things. And if that sounds like unabashed fascism to you? It’s because it is.

So, let’s do something about it.

Here’s where you can donate to both Athens and Shoestring:

Athens Theatre: https://athensdeland.com/support/

Shoestring Theatre: https://www.shoestringtheatre.net/copy-of-get-involved

As for our planned fundraisers, please stay tuned. Thank you for your time and attention on this horrible day.