Chaz Stevens

Timothy Stevens{{cite news |last1=Beatty |first1=Robert |title=Deerfield commissioner Sylvia Poitier facing corruption charges |url=http://www.sfltimes.com/uncategorized/deerfield-commissioner-sylvia-poitier-facing-corruption-charges |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=South Florida Times |date=April 12, 2011}}{{cite news |last1=Norman |first1=Bob |authorlink=Bob Norman |title=Satanic prayer still a long shot in Pompano Beach |url=https://www.local10.com/news/2015/07/24/satanic-prayer-still-a-long-shot-in-pompano-beach/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=WPLG |date=July 24, 2015}} was born on August 31, 1964, in Newton, New Jersey, to Beatrice Fowler, and James G. Stevens.{{cite web |last1=Stevens |first1=Chaz |title=Timeline of Chaz Stevens |url=https://mountjab.org/chaz-stevens/ |website=Mount Jab, The Church of Mars (tm) |access-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423211243/https://mountjab.org/chaz-stevens/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 23, 2022}} He grew up in Fort Lauderdale, where his father was Vice-President of Human Resources at Holy Cross Hospital.{{cite news |last1=Talley |first1=Jim |title=HEADHUNTERS FIND LOTS OF SCALPS |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1987-06-21-8702230573-story.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=June 21, 1987}} Stevens is an atheist.

Stevens graduated Deerfield Beach High School in 1982, and earned a degree in applied mathematics from the Florida Institute of Technology, after which he worked as a computer programmer. He served as a technology product developer for IBM, Coca-Cola and Walt Disney World. He returned to Deerfield Beach, a Fort Lauderdale suburb, in 2003, and was living there when he took up political activism.

Stevens says that in 2004 he was watching a Deerfield Beach City Commission meeting on cable television and saw a commissioner vote on a pension plan for the city's firefighters, when her husband was a firefighter who would benefit from the vote. He put up street signs opposing the commissioner (that he had to remove and was fined for) and started a blog, MyActsOfSedition (that he kept). On it, he mercilessly criticized local politicians, often with obscenities.

In 2008, Stevens's complaints led to the arrests of the then-Deerfield Beach mayor and a city commissioner on corruption charges.{{cite news |last1=Norman |first1=Bob |authorlink=Bob Norman |title=Gadfly Chaz Stevens brought down a couple Deerfield Beach politicians |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/gadfly-chaz-stevens-brought-down-a-couple-deerfield-beach-politicians-6333372?showFullText=true |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=January 1, 2009}} This, and action urging authorities to investigate another Deerfield Beach commissioner, won him the New Times Broward-Palm Beach 2010 award for Best Gadfly.

In April 2010, Stevens was appointed to the board of the Deerfield Beach Housing Authority, by the commissioner, now mayor, whom he had originally criticized in 2004. His appointment met with dismay from others on the board (calling him "a vile and despicable person").{{cite news |last1=Francis |first1=Thomas |title="That's Commissioner Chaz" |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/thats-commissioner-chaz-6439345 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=April 21, 2010}} He resigned at the end of May, facing ouster after forwarding authority records to an auditor.{{cite news |last1=Francis |first1=Thomas |title=Chaz Stevens Resigns Ahead of Ouster From Deerfield Housing Authority |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/chaz-stevens-resigns-ahead-of-ouster-from-deerfield-housing-authority-6465897 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=June 1, 2010}} He was reappointed in August 2011 for a period of only a few days, which ended when he made a racially charged remark about the Authority director.{{cite news |last1=Hendley |first1=Matthew |title=Chaz Stevens Back in the Saddle at the Deerfield Beach Housing Authority |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/chaz-stevens-back-in-the-saddle-at-the-deerfield-beach-housing-authority-6461488 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=August 9, 2011}}{{cite news |last1=Barszewski |first1=Larry |title=Deerfield Beach mayor withdraws controversial appointment to city's housing authority |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2011-08-12-fl-deerfield-housing-appointment-20110812-story.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=August 12, 2011}} A month later the Housing Authority adopted, then rescinded, a resolution banning obscene, profane, or vulgar public records requests, which was considered to be targeted directly at him.{{cite news |last1=Hendley |first1=Matthew |title=Deerfield Beach Housing Authority Attempting to Pass Possibly Unlawful Public Records Rule |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/deerfield-beach-housing-authority-attempting-to-pass-possibly-unlawful-public-records-rule-6450372 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=September 19, 2011}}{{cite news |last1=Hendley |first1=Matthew |title=Deerfield Beach Housing Authority Rescinds Public Records Change, at Least Temporarily |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/deerfield-beach-housing-authority-rescinds-public-records-change-at-least-temporarily-6461255 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=September 22, 2011}}

In 2011, following repeated complaints by Stevens since 2009, the other Deerfield Beach commissioner, who had also formerly served as mayor, vice-mayor, and county commissioner, surrendered to face five counts of falsifying business records related to a city loan to her brother.{{cite news |last1=Gale |first1=Kevin |title=Poitier arrest vindicates activist Chaz Stevens |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/blog/2011/04/poitier-arrest-vindicates-activist.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=South Florida Business Journal |date=April 13, 2011}}{{cite news |title=Deerfield's Poitier Bonds Out On Corruption Charges |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/deerfields-poiter-to-face-criminal-charges/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=CBS Miami |date=April 13, 2011}} Seven months later she was convicted of four of the charges.{{cite news |last1=Hendley |first1=Matthew |title=Sylvia Poitier Found Guilty on Four Counts of Falsifying Public Records |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/sylvia-poitier-found-guilty-on-four-counts-of-falsifying-public-records-6456248 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=November 16, 2011}} When the charges were filed, Michael G. Kessler, head of the forensic accounting firm that had been hired to investigate Deerfield Beach records, created an award for an activist exposing governmental corruption, named "The Chaz Award" after Stevens.{{cite news |last1=Francis |first1=Thomas |title=Auditor Unloads on Deerfield Beach Housing Programs; Finds Evidence of Favoritism, Fraud |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/auditor-unloads-on-deerfield-beach-housing-programs-finds-evidence-of-favoritism-fraud-6472318 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=April 20, 2010}}

In 2013, a city commissioner of Dania Beach, Florida, cited Stevens's posting of a picture of her wearing glasses with a penis nose as the reason for her retirement. She had also been facing charges of faking her residence in Dania Beach, where a political opponent had filmed her comings and goings.{{cite news |last1=McCoy |first1=Terrence |title=Pat Flury, Longtime Dania Beach Commissioner, Resigns Over Dick Drawing |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/pat-flury-longtime-dania-beach-commissioner-resigns-over-dick-drawing-6453906 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=July 29, 2013}}

In 2016, based on complaints by Stevens, the state ethics commission found probable cause that the then-mayor of Deerfield Beach had misused her office.{{cite news |last1=Geggis |first1=Anne |title=State ethics board finds probable cause that Deerfield Beach mayor misused office |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/deerfield-beach/fl-deerfield-jean-robb-ethics-20160309-story.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=March 9, 2016}} She died in 2017 before any further action could be taken.{{cite news |last1=Geggis |first1=Anne |title=Jean Robb, Deerfield Beach's mayor for 17 years, dies |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/deerfield-beach/fl-deerfield-jean-robb-dies-20170620-story.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=June 20, 2017}}

File:PBR Festivus Pole 2013, Deerfield Beach, FL.jpg

For five years before 2012, Stevens had unsuccessfully petitioned his home town of Deerfield Beach to take down the religious displays, a Hanukkah menorah and Christian nativity scene, that were put up annually next to a firehouse on the Hillsboro Boulevard. So, in December 2012, with the city's permission, Stevens instead installed a {{convert|8|ft|m|adj=on}} aluminum Festivus pole, made out of 23 beer cans, {{convert|6|ft|m}} from the Baby Jesus.{{cite news |last1=Barkhurst |first1=Ariel |title='Festivus' pole goes up next to Nativity in Deerfield |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2012-12-07-fl-festivus-pole-in-deerfield-20121207-story.html |access-date=May 1, 2022 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=December 7, 2012}}

Festivus is a satirical winter holiday, parodying the commercial winter holidays, that was popularized on "The Strike", a 1997 episode of the Seinfeld television show. It involves "airing of grievances", "feats of strength", and an unadorned aluminum pole. Stevens had consulted with Allen Salkin, author of the book on the holiday, Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us, who said that using beer cans for the pole would be completely within the spirit of Festivus.{{cite news |last1=Mayo |first1=Michael |title=Mayo: Is a beer can pole kosher for Festivus? |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2013-12-18-sfl-mayo-beer-can-festivus-pole-20131218-story.html |access-date=May 1, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=December 8, 2013}} Dan O'Keefe, who co-wrote "The Strike", after an O'Keefe family tradition, also approved after the fact.{{cite news |last1=Suebsaeng |first1=Asawin |title="Seinfeld" writer behind Festivus weighs in on conservative outrage over Christmastime Festivus pole protests |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/12/festivus-pole-protest-christmas-seinfeld-dan-okeefe-fox-news/ |access-date=May 1, 2022 |work=Mother Jones |date=December 12, 2013}} Stevens used Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans because it "got him through college"; however, he did not drink the beer himself, since as of 2013, he no longer drank.{{cite magazine |last1=Waxman |first1=Olivia B. |title=Florida Man Building Festivus Pole Out of PBR Cans |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/09/florida-man-building-festivus-pole-out-of-pbr-cans/ |access-date=May 1, 2022 |magazine=Time |date=December 9, 2013}}

When the following year, Deerfield Beach passed a motion to ban all religious symbols on city property in response to the Festivus pole, Stevens had achieved his goal.{{cite news |last1=Candea |first1=Ben |last2=Norman |first2=Bob |authorlink2=Bob Norman |title=Religious symbols banned from Deerfield Beach property |url=https://www.local10.com/news/2013/12/03/religious-symbols-banned-from-deerfield-beach-property/ |access-date=May 1, 2022 |publisher=WPLG |date=December 3, 2013 |language=en}} He would now go after bigger game.{{cite web |last1=Neil |first1=Martha |title=Beer-can Festivus pole banned by Florida city is now on display in state capitol |url=https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/beer-can_festivus_pole_banned_by_florida_city_is_now_on_display/ |website=ABA Journal |access-date=August 24, 2022 |date=December 11, 2013}}{{cite news |last1=Geggis |first1=Anne |title=From Deerfield, Festivus poles pop up around the country |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/deerfield-beach/fl-deerfield-festivus-pole-20151211-story.html |access-date=August 24, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=December 11, 2015}}

In December 2013, a private Florida group, with help from Chicago's Thomas More Society law firm, set up a nativity scene in the Florida State Capitol.{{cite news |title=Nativity Scene To Make Its Way To State Capitol |url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/12/03/nativity-scene-to-make-its-way-to-state-capitol/ |access-date=May 1, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=WFOR-TV |date=December 3, 2013}} Stevens successfully petitioned to put up a {{convert|6|ft|m|adj=on}} Festivus pole, made of PVC and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans next to the nativity scene.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/state/chaz-stevens-deerfield-man-brings-festivus-to-tally|title=Chaz Stevens: Deerfield man brings Festivus to Tally|last=Axelbank|first=Evan|date=December 10, 2013|publisher=WPTV|access-date=July 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811012757/https://www.wptv.com/news/state/chaz-stevens-deerfield-man-brings-festivus-to-tally|archive-date=August 11, 2015}} (Only 18 cans were used because of a height limit.) Stevens made the gesture because he believes in the separation of church and state and disagreed with all religious expression on government property. The displays were allowed inside the Capitol building because the state had designated its rotunda as a public forum.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/12/11/250200281/florida-man-airs-grievances-with-festivus-pole-in-capitol |title=Florida Man Airs Grievances With Festivus Pole in Capitol |first=Jessica |last=Palombo |publisher=NPR |date=August 5, 2015 |access-date=August 21, 2019}} The pole in the Capitol drew national coverage. The Colbert Report faked outrage and poked fun at Fox News journalist Gretchen Carlson, who voiced real outrage about her kids having to look at the Baby Jesus behind a pole made of beer cans.{{cite web |last1=Luippold |first1=Ross |title=Colbert Is Outraged Over Florida's Festivus Pole At The State Capitol |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/colbert-florida-festivus_n_4432916 |website=HuffPost |access-date=July 12, 2022 |date=December 12, 2013}}{{cite news |last1=Weber |first1=Katherine |title=Fox News Host Loses It Over Florida Festivus Pole Blocking the Baby Jesus (VIDEO) |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/fox-news-host-loses-it-over-florida-festivus-pole-blocking-the-baby-jesus-video.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=The Christian Post |date=December 13, 2013}} Jon Stewart of The Daily Show also laughed at Carlson and referred to Stevens as the "General Patton of the War on Christmas".{{cite web |last1=Stewart |first1=John |author1-link=Jon Stewart |title=War on Christmas - S#@t's Getting Weird Edition - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart |url=https://www.cc.com/video/mgspsw/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-war-on-christmas-s-t-s-getting-weird-edition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226021421/https://www.cc.com/video/mgspsw/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-war-on-christmas-s-t-s-getting-weird-edition |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |publisher=Comedy Central |access-date=July 12, 2022 |date=December 13, 2013}} After the pole was removed in January, Stevens put it up for auction on eBay, and sold it for $455, which he promised to donate to the Women in Distress Florida domestic violence center.{{cite news |last1=Funcheon |first1=Deirdra |title=Famous Festivus Pole Sells for $455 on eBay |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/famous-festivus-pole-sells-for-455-on-ebay-6453505 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=January 15, 2014}} The combination of the poles in Deerfield Beach and the Capitol won Stevens recognition as "Best Publicity Stunt of 2014" from the New Times Broward-Palm Beach newspaper.

In December 2014, Stevens again put up a Festivus pole at the Florida State Capitol, this time accompanied by one at the city of Delray Beach.{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Chris |title=Festivus Pole to Be Erected Next to Manger in Delray Beach |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/festivus-pole-to-be-erected-next-to-manger-in-delray-beach-6457911 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=October 23, 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Chris |title=Festivus Pole to Again Be Erected in Florida Capitol Rotunda |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/festivus-pole-to-again-be-erected-in-florida-capitol-rotunda-6437460 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=December 5, 2014}}

File:2015 Gay Pride Festivus Pole, Deerfield Beach, FL (cropped 2).jpg

In December 2015, Stevens expanded Festivus poles across the country. He said that though he was a privileged white heterosexual male, he was a lifelong ally of the gay community and supported the 2015 Supreme Court decision of Obergefell v. Hodges allowing gay marriage, but was angered when Kim Davis refused to issue gay marriage licenses. He and a group of supporters, organized as the Humanity Fund, put Festivus poles honoring gay pride at state capitols across the United States, especially targeting those dominated by conservatives.{{cite web | author-link = Mark Joseph Stern | last = Stern | first = Mark Joseph |title=Why This Florida Man Is Putting Up Gay-Pride-Themed Festivus Poles in State Capitols |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/12/florida-man-puts-up-gay-pride-festivus-pole-in-conservative-capitols.html |website=Slate Magazine |access-date=July 11, 2022 |date=December 18, 2015}}{{cite magazine |last1=Nicks |first1=Denver |authorlink=Denver Nicks |title=Meet the Man Putting Rainbow Festivus Poles Across America |url=https://time.com/4160617/festivus-gay-poles/ |access-date=July 10, 2022 |magazine=Time |date=December 23, 2015}} These poles were no longer made of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans (as the company refused to sponsor the effort);{{cite news |last1=Funcheon |first1=Deirdra |title=Florida Man Declares "Gay War on Christmas" |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/florida-man-declares-gay-war-on-christmas-7426351 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=December 1, 2015}} instead, they were {{convert|6|ft|m}} or {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m}} of rainbow striped PVC crowned with an {{convert|8|in|cm}} diameter disco ball.{{cite news |last1=Paoletta |first1=Rae |title=We Have No Grievances With This Guy's 'Gay Pride Festivus Pole' Plans |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2618454/gay-pride-festivus-pole-arkansas-capitol/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208092603/http://www.mtv.com/news/2618454/gay-pride-festivus-pole-arkansas-capitol/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=MTV News |date=December 2, 2015}} They were successfully placed at the capitols of Florida,{{cite news |last1=Galka |first1=Matt |title=Gay-pride Festivus pole arrives at Florida Capitol |url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/2015/12/11/gay-pride-festivus-pole-arrives-at-florida-capitol/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=WJXT |date=December 11, 2015}} Georgia,{{cite news |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=A 'Gay Pride Festivus Pole' is coming to Georgia's Capitol {{!}} Political Insider blog |url=https://politics.blog.ajc.com/2015/12/17/a-gay-pride-festivus-pole-could-soon-land-in-georgias-capitol/ |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=February 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220100716/https://politics.blog.ajc.com/2015/12/17/a-gay-pride-festivus-pole-could-soon-land-in-georgias-capitol/ |archive-date=February 20, 2016}} Illinois,{{cite news |last1=Simonette |first1=Matt |title=State approves plan to bring Pride-themed pole to statehouse - Windy City Times News |url=https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/State-approves-plan-to-bring-Pride-themed-pole-to-statehouse/53706.html |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Windy City Times |date=December 16, 2015}} Michigan,{{cite news |last1=Oosting |first1=Jonathan |title=Cruz supporters stage live nativity at Michigan Capitol, others plan gay pride 'Festivus' pole |url=https://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/2015/12/cruz_supporters_stage_live_nat.html |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=MLive |date=December 14, 2015}} Oklahoma, and Washington state.{{cite news |last1=Burton |first1=Lynsi |title=Gay rights Festivus pole headed to Olympia Capitol |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Gay-rights-Festivus-pole-headed-to-Olympia-Capitol-6697656.php |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=SeattlePI |date=December 14, 2015}} The Oklahoma pole met with opposition and anger from multiple state politicians, but was approved.{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Curtis M. |title=This Innocent Pole Has Some Politicians In Oklahoma Freaking Out |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/this-innocent-pole-has-some-politicians-in-oklahoma-freaking-out_n_567478bbe4b0b958f656bada |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=HuffPost |date=December 18, 2015}}{{cite news |title=Oklahoma lawmakers angry about plans for 'Festivus Pole' at state Capitol |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-lawmakers-angry-about-plans-for-festivus-pole-at-state-capitol/4307402 |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=KOCO-TV |date=December 17, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Griffin |first1=David |title=Lawmakers Oppose Plans To Display 'Festivus Pole' At OK State Capitol |url=https://www.news9.com/story/5e34bcf3e0c96e774b346f30/lawmakers-oppose-plans-to-display-festivus-pole-at-ok-state-capitol |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=KWTV-DT |date=December 23, 2015}}{{cite news |title=Chaz Stevens' 'Festivus Pole' approved for Oklahoma Capitol |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/196827-chaz-stevens-festivus-pole-approved-for-oklahoma-capitol/ |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=Florida Politics|agency=Associated Press |publisher=FloridaPolitics |date=December 16, 2015}} A proposal to put one at the Arkansas state capitol was rejected for reasons including trademark law and not specifying how the pole would be anchored.{{cite news |last1=Lanning |first1=Curt |title=Man Applies to Place "Gay Pride Festivus Pole" at Capitol |url=https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/man-applies-to-place-gay-pride-festivus-pole-at-capitol/285387365/ |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=KARK |date=December 1, 2015}} The gay pride Festivus poles were accompanied by a fundraiser that hoped to raise $10,000 for LGBT youth organizations but only raised $800 in its first month.{{cite news |last1=Westbury |first1=Joe |title=Festivus Pole in the Gold Dome? |url=https://christianindex.org/stories/festivus-pole-in-the-gold-dome,406 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=The Christian Index |publisher=Georgia Baptist Convention |date=December 17, 2015}}

File:Distresstivus pole.jpg

In December 2016, Stevens and attorney Tom Wright put up an anti-Donald Trump "Distresstivus" pole next to a Nativity scene on city-owned property in Deerfield Beach, and another in Delray Beach, Florida, a few yards from the city's {{convert|100|ft|m}} tall Christmas tree. These poles were only {{convert|5|ft|m}} tall ("a shout-out to Donald's tiny hands", said Stevens),{{cite web |last1=Mazza |first1=Ed |title=Atheist Sets Up Anti-Trump Festivus Pole At City's Christmas Display |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-festivus-pole-florida_n_5840f83ae4b09e21702dfa30 |website=HuffPost |access-date=July 11, 2022 |date=December 2, 2016}} wrapped with an upside-down U.S. flag, signifying distress, and topped with a Make America Great Again cap, held on by a giant safety pin, a symbol of support for minorities.{{cite news |title=Symbolism of 'Festivus' pole raises questions |url=https://www.wflx.com/story/33975001/symbolism-of-festivus-pole-raises-questions/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=WFLX |date=December 6, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Anti-Trump Festivus Pole Pops up at Annual Holiday Display |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/festivus-pole-targets-trump_new-york-2/1742142/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=NBC New York |date=December 8, 2016}} The one in Delray Beach was repeatedly vandalized; the hat was stolen within 24 hours, and the entire pole was stolen a few days later.{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Kristen |title=Stolen Anti-Trump Festivus Pole Reappears At Delray's Christmas Display |url=https://cbs12.com/news/local/stolen-anti-trump-festivus-pole-reappears-at-delrays-christmas-display |work=WPEC |date=December 14, 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2022|language=en}} A new pole, this time with a Trump message on the pole instead of the flag, was placed a week later.{{cite news |last1=Keegan |first1=Charlie |title=New Festivus pole up in Delray Beach |url=https://www.wptv.com/news/region-s-palm-beach-county/delray-beach/festivus-pole-is-back-in-delray-beach-after-theft |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=WPTV |date=December 14, 2016}}

In 2014, after the United States Supreme Court decided Town of Greece v. Galloway by ruling that a town could be permitted to start its meetings with a prayer as long as it did not discriminate against minority faiths, Stevens requested that his home city, Deerfield Beach, allow him to say a Satanist prayer at the beginning of a council meeting.{{cite news |last1=Peralta |first1=Eyder |title=Florida Rabble-Rouser Seeks To Open Civic Meeting With Satanist Prayer |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/05/10/311300886/florida-rabble-rouser-seeks-to-open-civic-meeting-with-satanist-prayer |work=NPR |date=May 10, 2014}} Through 2015, Stevens expanded this request, presenting 11 South Florida municipalities that opened city commission meetings with a prayer with a choice, either cease the prayer, or allow him to lead a prayer to Satan. He called this his "Satan or Silence Project".{{cite news |last1=Geggis |first1=Anne |title=Self-described 'minion of Satan' to give invocation next year at Lighthouse Point City Hall |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-activist-seeks-satan-salute-20151007-story.html |access-date=May 1, 2022 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=October 7, 2015}} He said his invocations might include beer, nachos, and a mariachi band.

Different cities reacted in different ways. Delray Beach removed its religious invocation. Coral Springs, Dania Beach, and Deerfield Beach replaced their prayers with a moment of silence.{{cite news |last1=Bryan |first1=Susannah |title=Dania Beach opts for silence to avoid devil prayer |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-satan-prayer-dania-20151014-story.html |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=October 14, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Stanford |first1=Livi |title=Man seeks Satanic invocation |url=https://www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/2015/10/21/article-e9caa846-6643-5159-a464-fef7e87be110-html/64902360007/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Daily Commercial |date=October 21, 2015}} Lighthouse Point scheduled Stevens to give an invocation on July 12, 2016. Boynton Beach scheduled him for a January appearance, but only notified him four days prior, which led to him missing the appearance. Lake Worth initially accepted Stevens's request, then changed to not having invocations.{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Chris |title=Lake Worth to Let Atheist to Lead Satanic Invocation Before Commission Meeting |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/lake-worth-to-let-atheist-to-lead-satanic-invocation-before-commission-meeting-6438888 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=December 12, 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Neil |first1=Martha |title='Tis the season for lawsuits over holiday displays |url=https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/holiday_litigation |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=ABA Journal |date=December 19, 2014}} Lauderdale-by-the-Sea accepted the invocation, which Stevens delivered in July, accompanied by a blonde "Twerking Deacon of Sin".{{cite web |last1=Mehta |first1=Hemant |author1-link=Hemant Mehta |title=Florida Satanist Invites "Forces of Darkness" to Bestow Power on Town Commission During Invocation |url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2016/07/13/florida-satanist-invites-forces-of-darkness-to-bestow-power-on-town-commission-during-invocation/ |website=Friendly Atheist |access-date=July 13, 2022 |date=July 13, 2016}}

Lake County turned down Stevens's request, initially on the grounds that he did not live in the county, but its Commission Chairman said he would not allow the prayer even if Stevens became a resident.{{cite news |last1=Shepard |first1=Tyler |title=Satanic prayer denied in Lake County |url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/satanic-prayer-denial-causes-controversy-in-lake-county/36112692/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |publisher=WKMG-TV |date=November 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102185828/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/satanic-prayer-denial-causes-controversy-in-lake-county/36112692/ |archive-date=November 2, 2015}} When Stevens threatened a lawsuit, Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based evangelical Christian religious litigation organization, said they would defend Lake County in court.{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Christal |title=Liberty Counsel to defend Lake in satanic invocation fight |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-minion-satan-lawsuit-liberty-counsel-20151028-story.html |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=Orlando Sentinel|date=October 28, 2015}}{{cite news |title=Man sues Lake County to allow satanic prayer at commission meetings |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/man-sues-lake-county-allow-satanic-prayer-commissi/npBgL/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=WFTV |date=October 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206212134/https://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/man-sues-lake-county-allow-satanic-prayer-commissi/npBgL/ |archive-date=December 6, 2015}}

Pompano Beach changed its religious invocation requirements to an IRS non-profit status local congregation determined by research on the Internet, in the city Yellow Pages, or by the Chamber of Commerce.{{cite news |last1=Geggis |first1=Anne |title=Pompano crafts new prayer policy to dodge the devil |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/pompano-beach/fl-pompano-satanic-invocation-avoidance-20150715-story.html |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=July 15, 2015}} In response, Stevens founded the First Pompano Beach Church of Satan, which shared a mailing address with a local parcel service, and offered salvation, cold beer, and an occasional stripper.{{cite news |last1=Geggis |first1=Anne |title=First Pompano Church of Satan creeps closer to Pompano Beach commission invocation |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/pompano-beach/fl-pompano-first-church-satan-20150723-story.html |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=July 24, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Hijek |first1=Barbara |title=Report: First Church of Satan offers salvation, beer and a stripper |url=https://www.courant.com/sfl-flduh-church-satan-beer-stripper-20150724-story.html |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Hartford Courant |date=July 27, 2015}} The city still denied Stevens's petition, saying that his stated intent to include twerking or a mariachi band indicated an intent to make a mockery of the proceedings instead of the solemn invocation required by policy.{{cite news |last1=Hicap |first1=Jonah |title=City in Florida bows to Satanist's lawsuit threat, bans prayers at council meetings |url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/city-in-florida-bows-to-satanists-lawsuit-threat-bans-prayers-at-council-meetings/65538.htm |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Christian Today |date=September 24, 2015}} In early 2016, Stevens, without specific permission, put up an inverted cross featuring an outline of Jesus and a butt plug in front of Pompano Beach city hall.{{cite web |last1=Mehta |first1=Hemant |author1-link=Hemant Mehta |title=Right Now, There's an Upside-Down Butt Plugged Jesus in Front of Pompano Beach (FL) City Hall |url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2016/02/16/right-now-theres-an-upside-down-butt-plugged-jesus-in-front-of-pompano-beach-fl-city-hall/ |website=Friendly Atheist |publisher=Patheos |access-date=July 11, 2022}}

File:In Chaz We Trust, Hallandale Beach, FL.jpg in 2016]]

In January 2016, Stevens erected an upside-down cross outside the city hall of Hallandale Beach. Stevens said it symbolized "Satanology", which he invented, and he placed it in response to a manger and menorah placed there during the holiday season, and to Hallandale mayor Joy Cooper's attempt to put an "In God We Trust" banner in commission chambers. The cross bore the inscription "In Chaz We Trust. All Others Pay Cash."{{cite news |title=Man Erects Satanic Cross Outside Hallandale Beach City Hall In Protest |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/man-erects-satanic-cross-at-hallandale-beach-city-hall-in-protest/ |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=CBS Miami |date=January 20, 2016}}

Throughout March 2016, another Stevens-founded group called the Church of Satanic Activism protested presidential candidate Donald Trump at various events by wearing a giant penis costume with Trump's face.{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Curtis M. |title=Donald Trump Is About To Get Trolled...By A Giant Penis Brigade |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-phallus-protest_n_56d9b18ae4b03a40567853b3 |website=HuffPost |access-date=July 18, 2022 |date=March 4, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Moye |first1=David |title=Giant Penis Trolls Trump — This Is 'Yuge'! |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/protesters-show-donald-trump-is-peckerhead-with-giant-penis-costume_n_56e73a08e4b065e2e3d709a9?ec_carp=5255653902644318857 |website=HuffPost |access-date=July 18, 2022 |date=March 15, 2016}}

In November 2016, Stevens asked that the School District of Palm Beach County, which had allowed religious groups to pay to display promotional banners at its schools, allow him to put up a fence banner endorsing Satanology at Boca Raton High School. In response, the school district decided to stop accepting new applications for banners from religious groups.{{cite news |last1=Solomon |first1=Lois K. |title=Satanic request prompts Palm Beach County schools to restrict banners on fences |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-pn-schools-banners-banned-20170607-story.html |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=June 7, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Marra |first1=Andrew |title=After Satanic request, PBC schools call for a ban on religious banners {{!}} Extra Credit |url=http://extracredit.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/06/06/14594 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Palm Beach Post |date=June 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609051559/http://extracredit.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/06/06/14594 |archive-date=June 9, 2017}}

In 2016, Stevens announced his retirement from activism to focus on entrepreneurship, his "remote mental healthcare business".{{cite news |last1=Ceballos |first1=Joshua |title="Naughty" Broward Officials Receive Gifts of Humongous Butt Plugs |url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/miami-activist-mails-butt-plugs-to-naughty-florida-officials-12518614 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach |date=December 6, 2021}} This was ESAD International, or ESADoggy, a business providing ESA letters to declare a pet as an emotional support animal, especially to allow them to accompany passengers on airplanes. ESAD works with a national network of licensed mental health clinicians that require a 45-minute assessment for issuing a letter.{{cite news |last1=Silk |first1=Robert |title=Fight over emotional support animals grows amid exploitation of the rules|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Fight-over-emotional-support-animals-grows-amid-exploitation-of-the-rules |work=Travel Weekly |date=August 29, 2019}} The definition of emotional support animals is not strongly regulated, and Stevens has been cited in support of proposed Florida and Michigan laws to criminalize ESA fraud.{{cite news |last1=Westrick |first1=Jodi |title=With newly introduced bill, Michigan aims to crack down on fake support animals |url=https://www.michiganradio.org/law/2019-09-10/with-newly-introduced-bill-michigan-aims-to-crack-down-on-fake-support-animals |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=Michigan Radio |date=September 10, 2019}}

In 2021, Stevens returned to activism by mailing a gift of huge butt plugs to four Florida officials.

File:Grim Tucker cutout (cropped).jpg

In November 2021, Stevens put up a "Fauci Claus" COVID-19–themed holiday display in the Florida capitol, featuring two cardboard cutouts. One was of Dr. Anthony Fauci, in charge of the national response to COVID-19 in his position as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, dressed as Santa Claus, and holding a Festivus pole. The other was of conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson, known for COVID-19 misinformation and opposition to Fauci, dressed as the Grim Reaper, who also holds a Festivus pole though this one has a scythe blade on top as the Grim Reaper is traditionally depicted holding a scythe.{{cite web |last1=Saliong |first1=Sarah Mae |title=Atheist Praises 'Fauci Claus' Then Gaslights Unvaccinated Christians, Labeling Them 'Biblically Satanic' |url=https://www.christianitydaily.com/articles/14163/20211203/atheist-praises-fauci-claus-then-gaslights-unvaccinated-christians-labeling-them-biblically-satanic.htm |website=Christianity Daily |date=December 3, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Bella |first1=Timothy |title=Tucker Carlson falsely claims Anthony S. Fauci 'created' covid |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/07/29/tucker-carlson-fauci-created-covid/ |access-date=August 24, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post}} This was placed as a religious display from Stevens's latest organization, "Mount Jab, Holy Church of the Vaccinated", of which he declared himself archbishop.{{cite news |last1=Schultz |first1=Edan |last2=Casey |first2=Monica |title='Fauci Claus' displayed at Florida Capitol |url=https://www.wctv.tv/2021/11/30/fauci-claus-now-display-florida-capitol/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |work=WCTV |date=November 30, 2021}} Also available as {{cite news |last1=Schultz |first1=Edan |last2=Casey |first2=Monica |title='Fauci Claus' displayed at Florida Capitol |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fauci-claus-displayed-at-florida-capitol/ar-AARj9ID |work=MSN |date=November 30, 2021 }}

Other political artistic displays Stevens proposed to display in the capitol in 2022, including of governor Ron DeSantis on the cover of Playboy magazine and sex toys painted with the faces of DeSantis, U.S. representative Matt Gaetz, and former president Donald Trump, were rejected, even after Stevens tried to downgrade them to a blank sign.{{cite web |last1=Geggis |first1=Anne |title=Free speech activist says he's been blocked out of the Rotunda's Free Speech Zone |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/525911-free-speech-activist-says-hes-been-blocked-out-of-the-rotundas-free-speech-zone/ |website=Florida Politics |access-date=July 13, 2022 |date=May 18, 2022}} In January 2022, Stevens minted a non-fungible token (NFT) bearing an illustration of Francis Suarez, mayor of Miami and an advocate of cryptocurrency, depicted with a penis for a nose. Proceeds were to go to Women in Distress.{{cite news |last1=Ceballos |first1=Joshua |title=You Can Bid on a Francis Suarez NFT With a Penis for a Nose |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/mayor-francis-suarez-inspires-new-dicknose-nft-13705333 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |work=Miami New Times |date=January 13, 2022}}

In April 2022, in response to the state of Florida banning 54 mathematics textbooks for referencing what it called critical race theory, and to passing House Bill 1467, giving parents more say in their school's school and library books, Stevens got national attention for writing petitions to 63 Florida school district superintendents requesting they ban the Bible from school classrooms and libraries.{{cite news |last1=Razzano |first1=Tiffany |title=Bible Removal From Public Schools Sought By South FL Activist |url=https://patch.com/florida/miami/bible-removal-public-schools-sought-south-fl-activist |access-date=April 30, 2022 |work=Patch, Miami |date=April 25, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Matthew S. |title=Florida man asks schools to ban Bible following the state's efforts to remove books |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/26/1094740651/florida-man-asks-schools-to-ban-the-bible-following-the-states-efforts-to-remove |work=NPR |date=April 26, 2022}} The book's inappropriate content, he wrote, included killing children (including babies being smashed against rocks in Psalm 137), bestiality, cannibalism, murder, adultery, endorsement of slavery (such as in Ephesians 6), sexual immorality and fornication.{{cite news |last1=Natanson |first1=Hannah |title=Fla. law made school book bans easier. So one man challenged the Bible. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/04/28/bible-book-ban-florida/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=April 28, 2022}} A different petition to Broward County Public Schools requested the removal of the Oxford English Dictionary. Stevens also applied for a permit from the Tallahassee fire chief in order to burn a stack of bibles. As in his other projects, he said his motivation was to "use the weight of bureaucracy against itself". The Broward County schools rejected the Bible banning request in December 2023.{{cite news |last1=Travis |first1=Scott |title=Bible will still be allowed in Broward school libraries |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2023/12/06/bible-will-still-be-allowed-in-broward-school-libraries/ |access-date=January 11, 2025 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=December 7, 2023}} Also available as {{cite news |title=Bible will still be allowed in Broward school libraries – Broward.US |url=https://broward.us/2023/12/07/bible-will-still-be-allowed-in-broward-school-libraries/ |access-date=January 11, 2025 |date=December 7, 2023}} In April 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill limiting challenges to books by people who did not have children in the school district, with a spokesperson specifically citing Stevens' challenge as a reason.{{cite news |last1=Farrington |first1=Brendan |title=DeSantis tweaks Florida book challenge law, blames liberal activist who wanted Bible out of schools |url=https://apnews.com/article/florida-ron-desantis-education-book-bans-65daf4420318a837487976c10bb75d86 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |work=Associated Press |date=April 16, 2024 |language=en}}

The Satan or Silence project resumed in June 2022, when Stevens requested equal time to open a meeting of the North Lauderdale city commission with an invocation to Satan. North Lauderdale halted its religious invocation pending review.{{cite news |last1=Geggis |first1=Anne |title=North Lauderdale suspends its opening invocation as opening prayer to 'Satan' proposed |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/538039-north-lauderdale-suspends-its-opening-invocation-as-opening-prayer-to-satan-proposed/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Florida Politics |date=July 11, 2022}} In July 2022, following the Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District that a high school coach could pray after each game, Stevens reached out to the Broward County Public Schools asking to lead a Satanic invocation at a football game of Deerfield Beach high school, which he had attended.{{cite news |last1=Razzano |first1=Tiffany |title=Activist Asks To Lead Satanic Prayer At FL High School Football Game |url=https://patch.com/florida/miami/activist-asks-lead-satanic-prayer-fl-high-school-football-game |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Miami, FL Patch |date=July 8, 2022}}

In August 2022 in response to Texas Senate Bill 797, which requires Texas schools to display donated posters of the national motto "In God We Trust", Stevens launched a GoFundMe campaign to donate posters of the national motto written in Arabic, intending to invoke some Christians' discomfort with Islam.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=Florida activist wants to donate Arabic 'In God We Trust' signs to Texas schools |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2022/08/23/florida-activist-wants-to-donate-arabic-in-god-we-trust-signs-to-texas-schools/ |access-date=August 24, 2022 |website=Dallas News |language=en}} State senator Bryan Hughes, who had sponsored the law, said Stevens's posters did not meet the law's requirements, and would not have to be displayed, since the quotation marks around the phrase implied those words had to be in English.{{cite news |last1=Iati |first1=Marisa |title=Texas requires 'In God We Trust' signs in schools. A man wants some in Arabic. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/08/25/texas-arabic-in-god-we-trust/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=August 25, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Wynne |title=An activist plans to test Texas' 'In God We Trust' law with signs in Arabic |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/08/26/1119488708/in-god-we-trust-texas-signs-arabic |access-date=August 26, 2022 |work=National Public Radio |date=August 26, 2022 |language=en}} In June 2023, in response to Louisiana House Bill 8, requiring schools to display the motto, Stevens donated 50 to 100 "In God We Trust" posters to Louisiana schools.{{cite news |last1=Muller |first1=Wesley |title=Arabic 'In God We Trust' signs will test limits of Louisiana's law • Louisiana Illuminator |url=https://lailluminator.com/2023/06/07/arabic-in-god-we-trust-signs-will-test-limits-of-louisianas-law/ |access-date=January 18, 2025 |work=Louisiana Illuminator |date=June 8, 2023}} They were written in Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Spanish, and other languages including Klingon, or in English but with rainbow-colored backgrounds in support of LGBTQ+ students.{{cite web |last1=Weissman |first1=Sara |title='In God We Trust' in Every Louisiana Classroom |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/state-policy/2023/06/29/louisiana-law-requires-god-we-trust-signs-classrooms |website=Inside Higher Ed |access-date=January 18, 2025 |language=en |date=June 29, 2023}} In April 2025, in response to Arkansas Act 573, requiring all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, Stevens offered to donate 10,000 displays of the commandments in multiple languages (including Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Vulcan and Klingon) and themes ranging from satanic to rainbow.{{cite news |last1=Gelder |first1=Austin |title=Ten Commandments classroom displays for the fun-loving gay satanist |url=https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/04/22/ten-commandments-classroom-displays-for-the-fun-loving-gay-satanist |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=Arkansas Times |date=22 April 2025}}

In October 2023, when Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School put up a banner advertising Calvary Chapel Parkland's hours and support for the school, Stevens asked to put up a matching banner for his Church of Satanology, declaring Satan's support for the school football team. The school refused, but in December removed the Chapel banner.{{cite news |last1=Deutsch |first1=Kevin |title=Church Banner Removed From Marjory Stoneman Douglas After Activist Sought 'Satanology' Ad |url=https://parklandtalk.com/church-removed-marjory-stoneman-douglas-46876 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |work=Parkland Talk}} Other Broward County schools, however, continued to display Christian banners, while not allowing Stevens's "Satan Loves the First Amendment" banner, so in September 2024 Stevens filed a religious discrimination lawsuit for $200,000.{{cite news |last1=Baron |first1=Sharon Aron |title=Political Activist Chaz Stevens Files 200K Lawsuit Against Broward Schools Over Religious Discrimination • Coral Springs Talk |url=https://coralspringstalk.com/chaz-stevens-200-lawsuit-broward-schools-53139 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |work=Coral Springs Talk |date=September 30, 2024}} In response to the lawsuit, in December 2024 the Broward school board voted to prohibit religious and political signs.{{cite news |last1=Rosa |first1=Amanda |title=Broward school board votes to prohibit religious and political signs on schools |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/broward-school-board-votes-prohibit-201303029.html |access-date=January 11, 2025 |work=Miami Herald |publisher=Yahoo News |date=December 18, 2024}} The lawsuit, however, was allowed to continue, despite a school district challenge that claimed Stevens was insincere and Satanology was not a religion.{{cite news |last1=Soule |first1=Douglas |title=Satan school banner suit allowed to continue |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-florida-times-union/20250109/281676850551407 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |work=Florida Times-Union |via=PressReader |date=January 9, 2025}}

In January 2025, Stevens filed a candidacy to become mayor of Deerfield Beach, Florida,{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Judy |title=Voters can expect active political season in Deerfield Beach - New Pelican |url=https://www.newpelican.com/articles/voters-can-expect-active-political-season-in-deerfield/ |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=New Pelican - |date=January 3, 2025}} but withdrew it in February 2025.{{cite news |last1=Huriash |first1=Lisa |title=Deerfield Beach mayoral candidate withdraws from race; how that may figure into a legal case |url= https://www.yahoo.com/news/deerfield-beach-mayoral-candidate-withdraws-221500175.html |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |publisher=Yahoo News |date=March 4, 2025}}

In April 2025, in response to Hartford, Connecticut City Council's decision to fly a Christian flag at City Hall during Holy Week, Stevens asked that the flag of his Church of Satanology and Perpetual Soirée, bearing the message "Satan Loves the First Amendment", be flown as well.{{cite news |last1=Pitts |first1=Amanda |title=Church of Satanology wants flag flown at Hartford City Hall after Christian flag was OK'd |url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/church-of-satanology-wants-flag-flown-at-hartford-city-hall-after-christian-flag-was-okd/3551966/ |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=WVIT |date=25 April 2025}} He followed up with similar requests to four other Connecticut cities that similarly displayed Christian flags: New Britain, Waterbury, Torrington and Bridgeport.{{cite news |last1=Fenster |first1=Jordan Nathaniel |title=After five CT cities fly Christian flag, man wants Satanology to have equal time |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/article/ct-torrington-hartford-waterbury-britain-satan-20294850.php |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=CT Insider |date=April 28, 2025 |language=en}} He threatened legal action if the cities refused, basing his argument on Shurtleff v. City of Boston, a US Supreme Court case that allowed a Christian group to fly their flag over that city hall.{{cite news |last1=Krofssik |first1=Sean |date=April 26, 2025 |title=Religious flag flown at CT city hall draws Church of Satanology attention. They want their flag flown |url=https://www.courant.com/2025/04/25/religious-flag-flown-at-ct-city-hall-draws-attention-of-church-of-satanology-for-equal-rights/ |work=Hartford Courant |page=1 |language=en}}

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Category:1964 births

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