Drag Event in Missouri Ignites Community Protests
One part of the community in Chesterfield, Missouri, was excited to see "A Drag Queen Christmas" at a local gay bar while another part wanted the event banned altogether.
As reported by Newsweek, a gay bar called The Factory hosted the event, featuring contestants from "RuPaul's Drag Race." When news started circulating that the show was described as kid-friendly and appropriate for kids, Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation asked the venue to up the entrance requirements to 18 and over.
Nation reportedly received a note from Republican State Senator Bill Engell that the event my violate laws to protect children from pornography.
"We had law enforcement intelligence that indicated that the content of the performance would be, you know, maybe in violation of our ordinances, as well as state and federal guidelines," Nation told Newsweek. "It was not meant to be a slight against the LGBTQ community, nor is it a slight on those who put on drag shows."
The venue complied and the show went on. However, that wasn't enough for some community members. Outside the venue, protesters and counter protesters gathered to object over the events surrounding the show.
"It's so full of joy and happiness. It really is supposed to be a safe space that we can all enjoy and come together as a community to feel like we belong," said Robert Fischer, an attendee and advocate with PROMO, Missouri's LGBTQ+ policy and advocacy organization, the New York Post reports.
According to a report released in November by GLAAD, there have been around 141 protests and threats against family-friendly drag events this year.