A pair of drag queens peacefully descended on a small Pennsylvania town on Saturday after hundreds of residents campaigned to shut down their show for allegedly violating anti-pornography laws.
The show comes after the conservative community of Millersburg, Pennsylvania, a sleepy town on the Susquehanna River with a population of just 2,541 people, announced last month that local group Pride in the Valley would hold a “drug dinner” fundraiser at a storefront coffee shop. After it exploded, it continued.
Nancy Rose, who attended the event from Sacramento, Pennsylvania, said, “I thought it was great. I'll be back.'' There was a potential protest outside the Peace of Mind Cafe, but no one was seen at the venue.
drag queen Sarabesque and sedusa was charged as A group of “sick entertainers” attend the $25, adults-only soirée in a 34-seat lunchroom on Millersburg's Main Street.
Three days later, an anonymous opponent started an online petition calls for “visual barriers” to block cafes’ plate glass windows during gender-bending acts; Citing local regulations Prohibits “performances that amount to pornography” in places where children can view them.
“The content of the drag show is sexual in nature and should not be shown to minors in Millersburg or anywhere else,” says the complaint, which has 773 signatures.
“Not in this community!” wrote petition signer Jason Morrison.
“Ignore your sick social agenda and go bankrupt.”
On Dec. 20, opponents faced off at a hastily called Millersburg Borough Council meeting. Proponents argued that cross-dressing was a form of high art, while detractors decried it as a sign of social collapse.
“Would you please send a petition to Shakespeare?” asks Heather Holloway, local news station and Pride in the Valley organizer. WGAL Harrisburg reported..
“This is a battle between good and evil,” an unidentified resident retorted.
After an hour of debate, the six-member council voted 4-2 to continue the show without requiring screens.
Following this win, Pride in the Valley reserved three more seats for the Drag Dinner on Saturday and Sunday, all of which sold out immediately.
Protest leader Stephen Breyer, pastor of nearby Hillside Christian Fellowship, said he accepted the council's decision.
“Just because these types of shows are allowed elsewhere doesn’t mean Millersburg has to do it,” Breyer told the weekly Citizen Standard.
“But I'm really glad that our community came together despite our differences and walked away in a spirit of peace.”
Peace of Mind Cafe owner Krystle Shearer told the Post she was glad the event went off without any disruption.
“I really love this community,” he said.
“Everyone is welcome. It doesn't matter if someone disagrees.”
