A conditional use permit was requested to allow The Herritage, a bar currently located on Herritage Street, to move from its current location to 128 W. North Street at Kinston’s City Council meeting on Tuesday.

When the council opened up the request to a public hearing, the owner of The Herritage Laurie Anderson spoke in favor of the permit. In response to recent social media comments, she stated, “We are not a gay bar, but we do not discriminate.”

The comment came because residents have taken to social media to protest the permit as The Herritage has leased their space to organizations like ENC Pride, which has hosted drag shows at the establishment.

“What a person does behind closed doors, is really none of my business,” said citizen Rusty Alphin. “But when you go out in public and flaunt, and I have the picture to prove it, where some of the drag queens go out on the sidewalk and some of them have, let’s just say no underwear on and negligee. In attire fit for the bedroom.”

Another resident spoke out against the fear of influence.

“I think it’s going to be confusing to children. I don’t agree with it. I think the children will be very confused by seeing a man in a dress walking down the street,” said Linda Beamon.

Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon reiterated the message to the city council that the permit request was subject to current North Carolina General Statutes regulating the request and that the conditional permit request fell within the laws.

“Tonight the owner said that this is not a gay bar,” said Solomon. “But what they have created is a space that is inclusive. That it is a business that embraces the citizens of Kinston.”

The inclusivity of The Herritage was a resounding message with Solomon who went on to say, “If I as an African American woman wanted to come in that it would be okay,” she said. “Because you don’t discriminate.”

The city council voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit which allowed The Herritage to move from its location on Herritage Street to its new location on W. North Street, the former Living Well building.