A drag show for all ages to be held in Victoria this weekend has been canceled after the host hosted numerous harassing phone calls and threatening gun violence.
The Sashay Cafe drag show was scheduled to take place at Caffe Fantastico on the Saturday before Victoria Pride Week.
But in recent days, Caffe Fantastico employees have been the subject of harassing phone calls, including a serious threat made on June 15.
“One caller is escalating, in fact threatening that someone should shoot the place and everyone in it,” a statement from the cafe said. “We immediately reported this threat to the police. Understandably, the threat was very upsetting for our staff and for the organizers and scheduled performers for the event. “
The performers shared news of the cancellation on social media, saying the site had previously received phone calls from an anonymous person “who is upset and claims that drag shows sexualize children” and who threatened to appear outside the show to film .
“It stems from ignorance, it stems from a lack of information and it stems from misunderstanding,” said Britton Cohn, president of the Victoria Pride Society.
“Drag is not sexualized. And to intervene in burlesque or other forms of artistic expression means that more education must happen. When it comes to children, it’s by no means sexual. “
So suitable for the family, you can join in prime time TV to watch Drag Paul’s Drag Race.
A police statement was issued and organizers said they had decided to cancel the show out of concern for the safety of the performers.
The Victoria Police Department said in a statement that its officers were investigating phone calls but did not disclose the nature of the threats.
“It is very disappointing to learn about these deeply disturbing calls and the impact they have had on staff, event organizers and those who are looking forward to this event,” said a staff sergeant. Jennifer Ames, who is also co-chair of the Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee.
“Hate has no place in Victoria. We want those who look forward to this event to know that we are responsible to ensure that they are safe and that we look forward to the return of this event. “
Caffe Fantastico owner Ryan Taylor said in a statement that the business has hosted the event for the past three years and no such incidents have occurred so far.
“I am really grateful to our staff who took the time to try to educate the callers. They informed the callers that the shows are suitable for viewing by all ages, “Taylor wrote.
“The show is a dance or music show that is organized to be open, safe and accessible. A mother at this family-friendly event said it was one of the best experiences she could ever have with her child, and told us how important it was that they were welcome.
The threats come as lawmakers in Texas push for legislation to ban minors from participating in drag shows, the latest in a wave of legislation against gays and transgender people leaving the state in recent months.
The United States also has a record number of bills against LGBTQIA + introduced in state legislatures as early as 2022, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Organizers of the Victoria’s show say the support they received after being threatened with violence was a “silver lining”.
“Please be safe and continue to challenge the transphobia, homophobia and attitudes that cause situations like this,” they said in a statement on their Instagram page.
“The hatred is alive and well,” Cohn said. “That’s why pride is important, and that’s why the Pride Parade exists and is still important, because hatred is still very much alive and well, even in Victoria.
Caffe Fantastico says it is providing all the information needed for the police investigation, adding that it will open this Saturday evening in support of the LGBTQIA + community.
Anyone with information about the threats is asked to call Victoria Police at 250-995-7654 Extension 1 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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