‘We need to draw the line’

Stevens’ penis sculpture, born of hand-drawn artwork rendered into a 3D model, would be carved out of a big block of CNC foam, then covered with a polyurea coating and air-brushed hot pink.

In the emails sent to the various City Halls, Stevens made his intentions clear: “Our mission? To boldly take on blurred lines of religion by placing a larger-than-life, 6 foot tall pink penis in the public square.”

Stevens says he’s enlisted the help of his attorney to make sure he’s taken seriously.

“I’m the one who gets responses and Chaz usually gets blown off,” Wright said on Friday.

Like Stevens, his attorney interpreted Fort Lauderdale’s request for $200 and an event application as a good sign.

“It sounds like a yes from Fort Lauderdale,” Wright said. “I’m assuming we’ll get approved for four to six of these things.”

If not, Stevens might take his fight to court, Wright said.

“They have to make the decision, is this religious liberty,” Stevens said.

Dean Trantalis, Fort Lauderdale’s first openly gay mayor, found out about Stevens’ request from the Sun Sentinel.

Trantalis says he can appreciate the individual expression of beliefs but doesn’t think the statue should be on public display.

“Fort Lauderdale embraces diversity, but at some point we need to draw a line between expression and decency,” he said. “All Mr. Stevens is trying to do is draw attention to himself.

”I would not be in favor of it. The city of Fort Lauderdale tries to maintain a family-friendly environment. We’re not the stage for personal excesses.”

Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton said he had no idea what Stevens was up to, until he got a call from the Sun Sentinel.

He laughed when told Stevens was hoping to put up a hot pink penis sculpture. Then he got serious.

“First thing I’ve heard about it,” Newton said. “And I’ll tell you right now it’s not going to happen in my city if I have anything to do with it.”

Not welcome in my city

Newton was not swayed when told the statue would be painted in Pride colors and only be on display for a day.

“I don’t care what color it’s painted,” he said. “I wouldn’t want it in my city. It shouldn’t be up for a minute or a day. It’s disrespectful.”

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman agreed, but said it’s a question for the city attorney.

“I’m not an attorney so I can’t opine on what is lawful and not lawful in terms of public displays,” Glassman said. “That’s for the city attorney to figure out.”

Pamela Beasley-Pittman, an ordained minister and newly elected Fort Lauderdale commissioner, was hoping to bring prayer back to government meetings. She made the inquiry during a City Hall meeting on Tuesday.

D’Wayne Spence, Fort Lauderdale’s interim city attorney, warned the commission about Stevens and his recent request.

“I do suspect we’ll be hearing from him if we reinstitute invocations,” Spence said.

In that case, Beasley-Pittman said she’d be happy with a moment of silence.

As for the penis statue, she does not want to see it on public display anywhere in her city.

“I don’t see how that would be a symbol of something that would welcome families,” she said. “They might wonder what will be on display the next time they visit Fort Lauderdale.”