LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In the face of recent threats of violence, protests, and harmful rhetoric, LGBTQ+ groups are still making their voices heard throughout Kentucky.
The “Come As You Are” drag fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, March 25 in Prestonsburg was canceled after Pikeville Pride said there were extreme threats toward organizers and the venue.
Pikeville Pride shared the update on social media Wednesday. Although the group did not organize the event, the post said, "we were eager to use our platform to amplify this event and help in any capacity."
However, organizers pivoted and instead hosted the virtual, 'Log On As You Are.'
"The whole idea was to be able to stand in solidarity, you know, despite what happened, and to show them that they will not win, they cannot win," Kyle May, owner of Open Doors Counseling Center, said.
The event featured drag performances and helped raise money for 'The Rainbow Closet' - a free resource for gender affirming care. It includes clothing, hygiene products, and more.
In the post announcing the original cancellation, it noted security had already been planned for the event, but also indicated, "the overwhelming extremist rhetoric and threats made this unsafe."
This alleged onslaught of threatening language and behavior coincides with a slew of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQIA+ bills making their way through Frankfort and states across the country.
Pikeville Pride pointed to legislation as a direct tie to threats the event organizers and venue received.
"Since our first event in 2018, our local community hasn’t faced threats of this magnitude until recently," Pikeville Pride said. "While hate-filled social media comments have always been a thorn in our side, outright calls for violence and armed intimidation weren’t an issue. The increase of this extremist behavior is directly tied to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation across the country."
The post promised more updates on the issue and concluded with a promise to the LGBTQIA+ community: "we see you, we value you, and we love you."
In Louisville, Drag Queen Story Time KY will host its event, despite receiving threats.
Katie Brian said after the national organization determined the threat was low-risk, they knew the show must go on.
"Our biggest goal is safety for our families, and we were able to produce a space that is safe," Brian said. "But as far as everything in that in that aspect goes, we can't be there and support our queer and questioning youth if we run from threats."
Brian said they heightened security and moved the story time to No Kill Louisville, which is a gated, less visible venue.
Olivia Plath, president of No Kill Louisville, said she was happy to step in, especially after community support following severe flooding that almost destroyed her business.
"What better way to give back is to host something like this to include diversity, inclusivity," she said.
Draq Queen Story Time will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, released a statement in response to the 'Come As You Are' cancellation saying:
“Bills specifically targeting the LGBTQ+ community are moving rapidly across our country, with the worst advancing here in the Kentucky General Assembly,” said Tamarra Wieder, PPAA Kentucky State Director. These hateful and stigmatizing bills are a dog whistle to extremists, giving them the green light to stigmatize, shame and threaten Kentuckians in an attempt to create a culture war. It is unacceptable.
“For the first time, Pikeville Pride announced the cancellation of a drag show due to ‘extreme threats of violence’ unlike ever before seen in the community. This increase in extremist behavior is a direct response to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation being pushed by our elected leaders. Drag is art. Drag is love. Drag is creative self-expression. And Planned Parenthood honors the resilience of LGBTQ+ communities that continue to face these unconscionable attacks on their bodily autonomy, access to health care, and humanity. We are with you. We love you. We will never stop fighting for you.
“We call on the Kentucky General Assembly to stop vilifying our LGBTQ+ community and advancing harmful legislation.”
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