The Keller-Southlake Pride Festival took place October 4 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church and drew a modest turnout. The event sparked criticism from local officials over alleged violations of Senate Bill 12, which bans sexually explicit drag performances in front of minors.
Southlake Mayor Shawn McCaskill also issued a statement condemning the event and clarifying that the City of Southlake had no involvement in approving or supporting it.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, organizers removed a “transgender” performer before the festival following backlash from parents and elected officials.
Few attendees arrived by chartered buses, many of which were not filled to capacity. Vendor booths displayed “transgender” and gay-pride flags, along with an HIV-prevention station operated by the HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness. Children were present throughout the event.
The event promoted performers including Anastasia Diamond Doll, Nylie Diamond Doll, Cherise Maraschino, Bradina Jay Kage, and Día Monté. The Dallas Express reviewed social-media posts from Anastasia Doll showing sexually suggestive performances at other venues.
When The Dallas Express reporters attempted to interview the church’s pastor, Alan Bentrup, Pelican Bay law-enforcement officers ordered them to leave the premises.
Bentrup later issued a statement thanking city staff and law enforcement for supporting the event, despite criticism from Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare and Commissioner Matt Krause, who said the festival violated SB 12. The 2023 law bans drag shows in front of children.
In an email to The Dallas Express, Bentrup elaborated on the church’s decision to host the event, describing it as “an act of Christian hospitality and community service.”
“St. Martin’s hosted Pride Kel-So as an act of Christian hospitality and community service, grounded in our belief that every person is made in the image of God and worthy of dignity, respect, and belonging,” Bentrup wrote in an email. “Our congregation includes people who voted for both presidential candidates and hold a wide range of views, yet we are united in our conviction that ALL people are loved by God. I am thankful for the Southlake and Keller police and Southlake city staff, that helped ensure this event was safe for everyone. I am deeply grateful for their professionalism and support.”
Bentrup added that the church’s calling is to “love our neighbors and reflect the radical welcome of Jesus,” emphasizing that “as followers of Jesus, we do not condone violence, hatred, or harm toward anyone.” He concluded his email saying, “I pray that you know that same love of Jesus.”
Outside the festival, protesters organized by the Texas Coalition for Kids held signs reading, “We want God” and “Protect God’s children.” Elected officials, including Brandon Hall, attended the protest.
“When we heard that a ‘pride’ organization was hosting an all-ages drag show at Pride So Kel in Keller/Southlake where children were exposed to wildly inappropriate acts, we had no choice but to show up and stand up. From the community to the classroom, we will never stop fighting the woke alphabet agenda targeting children,” Hall wrote on Facebook.
Southlake Mayor Shawn McCaskill also posted on Facebook:
“As Mayor and a 20+ year Southlake resident, I oppose such inappropriate events in our great city, and the City of Southlake did not support this event at that church. I support Governor Abbott and our Texas Legislature enacting SB12 to prohibit such events, but a federal court injunction against SB12 allowed this event to proceed. That case is on appeal to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Our Southlake Police Department monitored the event for the safety and protection of our fellow residents in the nearby neighborhoods, and I thank our police for their service yesterday, and every day.”
Christian activist Giovanni Dominguez told The Dallas Express that security escorted him out of the event after he spoke about the Bible. “The Bible is clear on this lifestyle being not the way it should be. We prayed about it and wanted to tell people to read the whole Bible,” Dominguez said. “We came in, got clearance, searched our bags — they said everything was fine.” He said organizers later ordered him to leave after he passed out flyers.
Dominguez said he was surprised that a church would eject someone for reading Scripture. “You have to read the whole thing,” he said.
During another tense exchange, a protester outside the event asked, “What if your kid grows up to be just like Tyler Robinson?” referring to the assassin who killed Charlie Kirk. An attendee replied, “That’d be awesome,” according to Blaze TV host Sara Gonzales.
The Dallas Express contacted both Bentrup and the City of Southlake for comment. Bentrup later provided a detailed email statement, and McCaskill’s Facebook post served as the city’s public response.
Update (Oct. 10, 2025, 11:30 a.m.): This article has been updated to include an emailed statement from Pastor Alan Bentrup and a Facebook post from Southlake Mayor Shawn McCaskill.