A Christian church in Texas held an event that included a drag show and promoted it as a show for the whole family, sparking protests in the community.
The First United Methodist Church in Sherman, Texas, became the site of an LGBTQ event organized by Grayson County Pride. The “Pride Prom” invitation posters indicated that it would be open to people of all ages, featuring “open mic karaoke” and a drag show hosted by Alex Gemini.
The announcement caused outrage in the neighborhood, so organizations focused on defending children’s innocence decided to prepare a protest during the event. However, just hours before the Pride Prom began, event organizers emailed people who purchased tickets, informing them that they changed the venue along with a reminder that this would be “a family-friendly event.”
The show’s new location was leaked through social media, which allowed protesters to arrive at the church doors to protest.
It's a mess out here. @shermanpolice officers are escorting the drag queens and furries around the "church."
Lots of kids are still inside the building for the drag show. pic.twitter.com/4xVWvkbx3p
— Protect Texas Kids (@protecttxkids_) May 14, 2023
Protect Texas Kids (PTK) executive director Kelly Neidert said that during the protest, she could see at least two dozen minors entering the sexually charged event.
“LGBTQ events and drag shows are never appropriate for kids, and it’s especially disturbing that a ‘church’ was hosting this one,” Neidert stated, adding that as long as this issue is not legally addressed, PTK will continue to protest these events peacefully.
On its website, the church prides itself on being “young and old, married and single, gay and straight, liberal and conservative, non-conformists and traditionalists.”
