called for Mayor Tom Kuntz to resign for gay-unfriendly sentiments against a gay pride event. The mayor had called the event a sign of “sin and brokenness.” Nathan Black, founder Rainbowatonna, said the mayor had demonstrated homophobia in numerous forums. The mayor behavior has no place in secular governance, Black said. Black sent a protest letter to all six members of the City Council. The “sin and brokenness: reference was a prayer at a meeting of clergy at a church sponsoring a pride worship service and later posted online. Black said. The mayor also had weighed in against other pride events. Vendors that were lined up for the drag show have been harassed and intimidated, Black said. Amid the mayor’s public posture about the drag show, the original venue backed out, Black said. The Associated Church, which then offered itself as a back-up venue for the show, had been subject to negative insinuations about the show. So too after-party planned at the Owatonna Arts Center.
Kuntz profile
Tom Kunz, age 78, is retired general manager of Owatonna Public Utilities. He has been mayor since 2004. He is a Republican, although political parties are not built into municipal politics. He won re-election 71% to 29% in 2020. He has advocated funding Highway 14 improvements, seeking major industrial growth, and building a new high school.
Kuntz. Charges of homophobia leveled at mayor.