Boise Pride '22 was to host a "Drag Kids Event"- which was promptly canceled due to backlash and safety concerns. Festival organizers envisioned a short performance where kids could put on sparkly costumes and lip-sync to age-appropriate songs on stage. But others, including Idaho Republican Party Chairwoman Dorothy Moon, expected a lurid scene where children would “engage in sexual performances with adult entertainers.” 

This backlash came directly from Idaho Families petitioners in Idaho, who called LGBTQ and drag artists "creeps" and stated this was a "sexual event." "Parents need to understand that cross-dressing is often an erotic fetish for drag performers who become sexually aroused when they imitate sexualized behaviors of the opposite sex in public," Organizers said in the petition. They also commented on accusations that a "biologically male drag performer had indecently exposed himself at a community event to onlooking children stunned Coeur d’Alene," which Coeur d’Alene City Prosecutor’s Office proved the video was edited and sent in by individuals not attending the drag show in person. There was no criminal activity during the Pride event. (No Crime Committed at COEUR d’ALENE Drag Show). 

The petition calls for the Idaho Legislature to update state laws to address "vile sexual exhibitions" (drag) in places where children are present. They want to make their voices heard, so we need to as well.

A CALL TO ACTION:

We are asking you to sign this counter-petition in response to the overwhelming backlash and hate of LGBTQ identities and drag events, specifically ones that are all-ages, in Idaho.

My name is Arya, and I personally organized the "Reading with Drag" event in Twin Falls that was referenced. We have gathered local LGBTQ leaders in hopes to advocate for LGBTQ rights and fight against these types of discrimination.  We have family-friendly events frequently that encourage acceptance, expression, and education. As the event attendees can attest to, Drag is not a "sexualized" display, it's a performance art that promotes free self-expression. Events, performers, and the children receive constant backlash that creates safety concerns for these events of self-expression and age-appropriate fun. The same individuals claiming we are creating unsafe environments are the same who have our events canceled for safety concerns due to violence and threats.

Queer people are consistently accused of being pedophiles and grooming children without cause or evidence. The ignorance has to stop. Tell Idaho Family and The Idaho Legislature that Drag is not sexual, and stand up against ANTI-LGBTQ+ rhetoric!