Another drag show, “Dragtivity Day,” was held on Saturday at an Austin bar called Cheer Up Charlies, hosted by drag performer Bridgitte Bandit.
Last month, a supposedly “kid-friendly” drag show called “Drag Queen Bingo” was held in Austin at an open-air market, according to Texas Scorecard. The February 10 event was hosted by drag queen Tiffany Epiphany, who confirmed on social media that the event was open for all ages, including children.
The March 2 event included story time, lip-syncing, and arts and crafts. The Austin Public Library (APL) was also on hand for “Dragtivity Day,” but library spokesperson Baylor Johnson said the library did not provide any financial sponsorship for the event.
“As with many community events throughout the year and across the city, we have accepted an opportunity to have a presence at a community event to table and provide families who attend the event with a chance to sign up for library cards and learn about the programming and educational opportunities offered by APL,” Johnson said, per Texas Scorecard.
The event was met with public criticism by non-profit organizations such as The Texas Family Project and the Texas Coalition for Kids organization.
“Every Texan and especially those with strong voices of influence should be sounding off against this perversion and working to see it ended in Texas for good,” Texas Family Project President Brady Gray told Texas Scorecard.
Texas Coalition for Kids organized a protest against the “Dragtivity Day” event. Kelly Neidert, the organization’s president, told The Dallas Express in a text message:
“[Dragtivity Day] was a disturbing event, and the content was not suitable for kids. As we were protesting, about a dozen children were snuck inside while supporters of the event yelled obscenities at us. It is horrific that these ‘kid-friendly’ drag shows are still happening, and we will continue protesting them.”
As reported by The Dallas Express, “all-ages” drag shows have elicited protests in Dallas and Texas cities in recent years.
Such performances have also been criticized as reflective of “derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny.” The president of West Texas A&M University, Walter Wendler, raised this point when he canceled a drag show on the campus in March 2023, as DX covered previously.
