An LGBTQ Pride event featuring a drag show is being held in the cafeteria of a Collin County public high school.
The event, called Princeton Pride 2023, is set to take place at Lovelady High School in Princeton on Saturday, June 24, from noon to 4 p.m.
Hosting the event is Princeton TX (PTX) Diverse, a non-profit organization that claims to promote diversity in the Princeton community.
“We are working to make Princeton a more inclusive and considerate place for all Texans,” the group’s Facebook page reads, “through compassion, education, and understanding.”
Despite hosting an event on school grounds, PTX Diverse was sure to note that it is “not affiliated with Princeton ISD.”
In a statement to The Dallas Express, Princeton ISD spokesperson Jean Ann Collins clarified that “this event is not hosted by the school district.”
“An outside group has rented a school building as do many other groups, according to the Facility Use Policy,” she said. “The policy is very specific as to what will and will not be allowed. If there is a violation of this policy, usage and rentals will be prohibited in the future.”
“Princeton ISD is not an organizer, host or sponsor, nor is it associated with Princeton TX Diverse in any way,” the statement concluded.
This is not the first time PTX Diverse has sought to use Princeton ISD property for an LGBTQ event.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the district decided to review its Facility Use Policy after PTX Diverse requested to use school property for another Pride event.
In January, the board unanimously voted to refer the policy to legal counsel, suggesting, “it is important to review and revise these guidelines to assure compliance with applicable laws and policies” to ensure “the safety and security of … students, staff and facilities.”
The Princeton ISD school board discussed Saturday’s event at a June 19 board meeting and agreed school facilities could be used as the venue for Princeton Pride 2023.
However, the board opted to change the event’s location from Princeton High School to Lovelady, as another event was happening at Princeton High the same day, and Superintendent Donald McIntyre wanted to “avoid issues with parking.”
PTX Diverse President John Kusterbeck told The Dallas Express in January that the organization was looking forward to hosting this Princeton Pride event come summer.
As part of the Pride event, a drag show will take place with several performers, according to advertising from PTX Diverse.
Some of PTX Diverse’s past Pride events have allowed children to attend and participate.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 12 last month, which prohibits “sexually oriented performance[s] … in the presence of an individual younger than 18 years of age.”
However, a Protect Texas Kids tweet alleges that a member overheard a “groomer” from PTX Diverse say at the school board meeting that his group will “continue hosting these drag shows for kids despite SB 12 being passed.”
“I made sure to talk loud enough so you would hear me clearly,” PTX Diverse replied to the tweet, seemingly confirming the allegation.
SB 12 was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 18, but the law does not go into effect until September 1.
In a statement to The Dallas Express, Protect Texas Kids Executive Director Kelly Neidert said that while at the board meeting, she heard a man from PTX Diverse “say they’ll continue hosting drag shows for kids because drag isn’t sexual, therefore it doesn’t violate SB 12.”
She added that PTX Diverse “has organized sexually explicit drag shows for children in the past. Princeton ISD should never have agreed to let school property be used for this.”
The Dallas Express contacted PTX Diverse and Princeton ISD for comment but received no response by press time.
The drag queens performing at the Princeton event include Carrie Bjork, Veronica Reyes, Dahlia Vonhexx Savage, Carmella Dubuque, and Leche Diamante.
