BuzzBrews Kitchen’s Lakewood location in Dallas hosted an “all-ages” drag show that prompted a protest from Protect Texas Kids (PTK) and a counter-protest by alleged members of the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club (EFJBGC).
The sides met in opposition outside the establishment Saturday as people entered the event.
This is not the first time the two groups have faced off outside an all-ages drag show; they traded words at a previous event held at the Texas Trust CU Theatre Grand Prairie.
The Dallas Express was on hand to cover the protest, which brought out uniformed and undercover officers from the Dallas Police Department to help keep the peace.
Alleged members of the EFJBGC, along with other supporters of the event, hurled obscenities and insults at members of PTK, police officers, and journalists who were there to report on the show.
“We are out here today because this venue has been doing kid-friendly shows for the last several Saturdays, and we’re not okay with that, so we wanted to do a protest,” said Kelly Neidert, PTK’s executive director, speaking with The Dallas Express.
Neidert said that the venue has been hosting all-ages drag show events every Saturday, possibly since May of last year.
“I called to ask them if they’re allowing children, and they told me that they are. They said some Saturdays they don’t sell enough tickets to have a show, but when they do have a show, kids are welcome to go,” Neidert said.
Notable attendees and supporters of the drag show event included two members of the Dallas City Council and one Texas state representative: State Rep. Venton Jones (D-Dallas) attended, along with Jesse Moreno of District 2 and Paul Ridley of District 14.
When asked for comment about the event, Ridley said he would not speak to The Dallas Express.
Video footage of the drag show and council members Moreno and Ridley addressing people inside the venue surfaced on Twitter.
“We need to teach those folks in our rural counties and other parts of the city that they too can be Dallas,” Moreno told attendees.
The Dallas Express reached out to both Moreno and Ridley for comment, but they did not respond by press time.
Two children were in attendance at the drag show, accompanied by their mother, who said about the vulgar language used in the show, “They hear that at home, so it ain’t no different.”
An official with the Dallas County Democratic Party (DCDP) also attended and spoke to The Dallas Express.
“I don’t understand. I mean nothing happened in there. The performers made it clear up front, this is not a children’s show, there’s going to be cussing, and there’s going to be, you know, stuff,” said Bonnie Mathias, community activist and elections team director for DCDP.
“I mean, there’s no erotic behavior. It’s fun. It’s like going to a Halloween party, too, and everybody being themselves, that’s what life is about really,” Mathias said.
“It’s about just being yourself and if this is a great side hobby for somebody, thank you! Because you’re entertaining me and making people smile.”
Some local residents also spoke to The Dallas Express and voiced their opinions on the event.
“I think it’s good that they’re out here counter-protesting that nonsense over there,” said Parker Arnspiger, logging his opposition to PTK.
Another resident told The Dallas Express that it was inappropriate for kids to attend drag shows.
“I really think that kids don’t belong in drag shows, that’s just my opinion. I think parents that think there’s a drag show that’s kid-friendly are maybe not very good parents,” said Mike Berry.
As previously reported in The Dallas Express, State Rep. Matt Shaheen, who represents parts of Plano and far North Dallas, has filed a bill stipulating that “a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or other commercial enterprise that provides for an audience of two or more individuals a drag performance” is to be considered a “sexually oriented business.”
If the bill passes, it would effectively make it illegal for drag shows to allow people under the age of 18 to attend, per preexisting Texas law.
People should be able to do what they want as long as it doesn’t affect anyone else. If families want to go to drag shows, that is their business and no one has the right to tell them they can’t.
as long as it doesn’t affect anyone else? That’s the key test right? Why can’t they take their kids to a BAR AND BUY THEM LIQUOR? Or take them to a strip club? Common decency be dammed.
I think *adult* people are free to do what they want. Sadly the ancient form of drag entertainment has also morphed into political indoctrination. Drag is supposed to be campy and fun, however it is not anymore and it is highly sexualized and now, weaponized. This isn’t Milton Berle vaudeville drag, but it is X rated adult entertainment. I want to know why the push on kids? Who decided that using drag queens to educate kids was a thing? Ask more questions Lainie, you are not digging enough and taking too much of the narrative at face value. Who benefits, who profits, what’s the end game/goal? Who owns the media in 1980, who owns the media now in 2023?
“…as long as it doesn’t affect anyone else.”. Because those children will be discussing their experience with other children whose parents don’t want their young children exposed to this depravity. THAT is how it affects someone else. It’s like a cancer that spreads. And then those people will complain when decent people avoid them and don’t want their children associating with theirs.
The fact of the matter is that it does affect those children, and cussing is not appropriate, no matter who does it.
It’s not right.
I wonder why their fake militia always hides behind masks
They know they are bigots and don’t want to me social media shamed later .
Jesse Moreno is more interested in grooming children than in making sure the staggering rise in crime in his district is addressed.
It never ceases to amaze me how the right can demonize literally any peaceful thing they don’t agree with, while ignoring the heinous acts their own supporters do in the name of “freedom.”
Democrats are completely godless and this is why they see repulsive acts as normal.
Lol. You’re drunk. How are democrats “godless”?
You mean like mostly peaceful protests where the city burns down? Where the organization collecting billions in the name of said peaceful protests embezzles it all and does nothing for the cause they pretend to represent? All this while promoting more racism and division? Hint: Not the “right”. The right is actually way more tolerant and inclusive than the left claims it is.
“Two children were in attendance at the drag show, accompanied by their mother, who said about the vulgar language used in the show, “They hear that at home, so it ain’t no different.”
“Ain’t no different?” There’s a real Einstein. Her children have no hope of being raised with any kind of morality…or intellect. The ignorant and immoral are taking over the country. Those are nothing but new-age freak shows. Children should not be exposed to this sexual deviance. The dems are trying to destroy our youth and future society. And you’ll notice, the representatives in attendance were dems? I see advertisements on TV for these drag shows. Gotta tell you, they look like Satan’s minions…non-human. And Pelosi (a so-called Catholic) applauds this. That is one sick, evil woman. She will answer to God’s judgement. He will not look kindly on someone using His name to lead the masses down the road to sin.
New age freak shows? Sexual Deviance ? Dude the 1950s and calling and they want you back!
Taking children to Drag Shows, is pure and simple, CHILD ABUSE,!!!! When one of these parents says that the children hear all that cussing at home maybe needs a parenting class themselves, perhaps a class in proper English wouldn’t hurt either!! 😡 😡 😡 SHAME on parents who allow their precious children to this vulgar obscenity!!
It’s amazing at this stage of life and civilization, there is STILL so much hate against gay people. Wow ….