As federal funding for LGBTQ organizations has diminished under the Trump administration, Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta and the Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia, is organizing a Halloween event for children that will feature drag shows.
The event, as described by ColGay Pride, an LGBTQ+ group from Columbus, Georgia, promises a lively atmosphere for kids from 5 to 8 PM with trick-or-treating, spooky trails, and “glowing Halloween worlds.” After 9 PM, the evening will shift to an “adults-only” segment, featuring the drag shows.
Despite the late-night focus, Bottoms’ backing of this Halloween event—complete with a haunted walk, s’mores, and costume contests for both kids and adults—reinforces her history of advocacy for LGBTQ-related activities involving children.
ColGay Pride aims to foster diversity, inclusion, and equality for the LGBTQ community in and around Columbus. They are hosting their last Halloween celebration after 13 years due to financial struggles caused by cuts to federal funding under Trump. The group expressed their dependence on individual donations, expressing difficulty in fundraising amidst these challenges.
In a poignant message, they indicated, “We are closing our doors next year,” citing the drastic drop in financial support. Support from Bottoms has been acknowledged with a digital sponsorship certificate shared on their social media.
Details regarding the exact nature of her sponsorship remain unclear. Meanwhile, Bottoms’ campaign has faced setbacks, including a fine from the Campaign Finance Commission for exceeding contribution limits and a decision to forego re-election as mayor due to rising crime, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, she has experienced pushback from conservative circles concerning her views on gender policy. In a recent debate, Bottoms stated she would have vetoed the Riley Gaines Act, legislation aimed at preventing biological men from competing in women’s sports, saying such decisions should not be made by the government but rather by athletic associations.
This comment was quickly seized upon by her opponent, Rick Jackson, the Republican candidate for governor, framing it as a stance that undermines protections for women’s sports. Jackson’s campaign emphasized this as part of their broader narrative against “woke ideology” in schools.
Bottoms, who has a history of supporting drag-related events, previously invited a drag queen to host a story hour after a similar event was canceled by the local library. In her invitation, she expressed enthusiasm for hosting such inclusive programs.
The Bottoms campaign did not provide an immediate response regarding the upcoming Halloween event and its appropriateness for children in relation to themes surrounding sexuality and gender expression.
With the primary behind her, Bottoms is set to compete against Jackson in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2025.
