People turned out by the dozens Saturday morning to enjoy a drag show and comedy roast at Hamburger Mary’s on Cedar Springs Road about one week after multiple protests were held at LGBTQ events in Dallas.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Texas Latinx Pride Fest event at Reverchon Park was protested by the activist group Protect Texas Kids (PTK) on September 16. The event was an all-ages festival with drag shows. The following day, protesters showed up at the Cathedral of Hope, where church officials “blessed” members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence — a group of drag performers who dress up like Catholic nuns.
Protesters claimed the church event was a mockery of Catholicism, with some detractors calling the Sisters an “anti-Catholic hate group.” Event organizers, however, alleged that the “blessing” was meant to push back against SB 12, a new state law that bans “sexually oriented performances” from being held in the presence of minors. Opponents of the law, which is currently on hold due to pending litigation, claim the law is anti-LGBTQ and meant to stifle artistic expression.
“As we respond to the efforts to enact the new law, SB12, which would have the effect of criminalizing drag and other forms of performance art, we aim to come together … to celebrate and embrace the drag performers who enrich our community,” Cathedral of Hope said in an event description.
Despite the previous week’s tensions, Saturday’s “DIVA in Revue: Drag Show and Roast” did not prompt any protests. The event was billed for people ages 21 and up, featuring multiple drag performances and a comedic roast of drag queen Anita Protest.
Between comedy routines, drag performers danced among attendees who waved cash tips in the air and stuck dollar bills between the prosthetic breasts of the performers.
One entertainer quipped on the mic about how a roast honoree was “unable to be here or within 500 feet of a school … he’s just not allowed.” Another speaker on the mic joked about removing his clothing on stage in front of the audience. Still another noted that drag queen Ophelia Oliver’s stage name was a play on the phrase “I’ll feel ya all over.”
“Come watch as queens and board members roast Anita Protest and slay the day with numbers that some may consider to be talent,” the event description reads. “This event will bring together LBGTQ+ people from around the nation and help support our local community.”
The event was organized by the Dallas Independent Volleyball Association. All proceeds are slated to go towards supporting the North American Gay Volleyball Association’s 2024 championship tournament, which is scheduled to take place in Dallas.
Perhaps because it was a 21-and-up event, the drag roast did not attract any protests. While at least one college drag event was canceled because a university official said he believed drag was offensive and degrading to women, most of the discourse over the last year has been about whether it is appropriate for children to see drag performances.
When asked about SB 12 last week, Sasha Cochteze of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence told The Dallas Express that “parents have the right to choose what their kids can and cannot see,” even when it comes to drag shows.
That sentiment was not shared by some of the previous week’s protesters.
“We are very concerned because exposing drag culture to children is something that is totally unacceptable,” said Cesar Franco of the nonprofit America Needs Fatima. “The law should safeguard the innocence of children.”
Activist Kelly Neidert of PTK previously told The Dallas Express that children should not be anywhere near drag performances.
“For somebody to be okay with kids attending, I think they’re okay with children being sexualized at that point and exposing children to extremely sexual content,” she said. “I truly don’t understand how anyone should be okay with that.”
