KENNEWICK — A Tri-Cities venue says it’s received an onslaught of hateful comments after promoting an all-ages drag show set for Easter Sunday.
And some locally are calling on bans of all drag performances that allow kids to attend.
The Emerald of Siam plans to host its “Easter Drag Brunch” event at 1 p.m. Sunday. Every month for the past six years, the restaurant and lounge has hosted all-age drag shows for queer youths and families, says manager Tim Thornton.
It hasn’t been a problem until just recently, he said, when people on social media began calling them “groomers” and “pedophiles.”
Now, Thornton said, they’re expecting some community members to picket the event.
“They have the right to come out. I just want people to be safe,” he told the Tri-City Herald. “I just urge people to not be nasty, which is a big ask right now. We’re going to continue to do things the way we’ve been doing things the last 40 years, and nothing’s going to stop us from being accepting of everyone.”
Generally speaking, a permit is not required in Washington state to protest an event or gathering. But the city of Richland does require special use permits for events at publicly-owned parks and facilities with 30 people or more, or if the event could interrupt traffic.
Police Commander Jon Schwarder told the Herald in an email this week that Richland Police Department has been given no notice of people planning to protest the event, though they were in conversation with Emerald of Siam management about their concerns.
A Disney themed all-ages drag event hosted Wednesday at Out and About also drew the ire of some community members, with some asking the city to shut it down.
As hit music from “Shrek” and “Frozen” blared from inside the club, about three dozen protesters gathered outside with signs and some stood in a circle to pray.
Drag shows promoted for all ages do not include any explicit content, stripping, swearing or provocative dancing, say organizers.
Show promoters and organizers in the Tri-Cities say this latest wave of drag panic is out of the ordinary and unusually aggressive.
“(Drag) is nothing new. And it’s wild that it’s even becoming an issue now,” Thornton said. “It’s never been an issue.”
Disney-themed drag show
Hundreds of people of all ages turned out for Out and About’s “All Ages Disney Drag Extravaganza.”
Some were draped in trans rights flags, gay rights buttons and the like. Others dressed more casually.
The Pasco club has been hosting biweekly drag shows for 20 years and shows for all-ages the past 10 years.
Andy Reavis, 43, of Eltopia, was one of the three dozen or so protesters who lined up outside on Wednesday near the corner of 3rd Avenue and Lewis Street.
The father of four held a sign that read, “Boycott Disney, Stop Child Trafficking.” Although he’s never been to a drag show, he said children should not be exposed to them or any sexually provocative content.
“I have nothing against drag shows, I have nothing against the trans community. But I do have a problem with them grooming children,” he told the Herald.
“I feel that it’s teaching the children an unhealthy view, so I would not allow my children to be at a drag show,” he said.
Joe Cotta, 45, of Pasco who ran unsuccessfully for the state Legislature, showed up to pray for the families.
With a Bible in hand, he said there’s a lot of love toward the transgender community, but they disagree about how to find happiness and satisfaction in life.
“This is something that we think is harmful to our kids,” Cotta said. “That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to stand up for them. It’s not to show hate or to make the transgender community feel uncomfortable or anything like that. Obviously, it’s going to do that. But really the point is we don’t want this in our community.”
Richland City Council
Earlier this week, a public commenter at the Richland City Council meeting urged the city to ban all-age drag shows because “children cannot consent” to them and that they remain as adult entertainment only.
Mayor Pro Tem Theresa Richardson said she’s been a supporter of the Emerald of Siam’s ability to highlight and uplift local artists, but said she was “particularly very sad” they planned to host an drag event on Easter Sunday, which, she said, “doesn’t reflect our community values.”
“I’ve been encouraging people just to send Emerald of Siam a note — a polite note” expressing their dissatisfaction, she said.
Thornton also addressed the council, saying his business has recently encountered “an organized campaign of hate speech, including harassment.”
He asked for the council to speak in support of diversity and tolerance.
“We know that not every event we present for the community will appeal to every person in our community, but for 40 years people have been free to decide for themselves what to listen to and when they wish to stay at home,” Thornton said.
“Now we have a group that wants to decide for others what constitutes appropriate for family entertainment, and using harassment and intimidation to enforce their tastes,” he said.
