A drag show for all ages that will take place in Victoria this weekend has been canceled after the host site received several harassing phone calls and a threat of armed violence.
The Sashay Cafe drag show was scheduled to be held at the Caffe Fantastico on the Saturday before Victoria Pride Week.
But in recent days, Caffe Fantastico employees have been the subject of harassed phone calls, including a serious June 15 threat.
“One person who called rose, actually threatened that someone should shoot the place and all who were there,” the cafeteria said in a statement. “We immediately reported this threat to the police. The threat, understandably, was very annoying to our staff and the organizers and performers scheduled for the event.”
The performers shared news of the cancellation on social media, saying the venue had previously received phone calls from an anonymous person “who is upset and claims that drag shows sexualize children” and that he threatened to appear outside the show to film.
“It comes from ignorance, lack of information and misunderstanding,” said Britton Kohn, president of the Victoria Pride Society.
“Dragging is not sexualized. And crawling with burlesque or other forms of artistic expression means more education. When it comes to children, it is in no way sexualized.”
It’s so familiar that you can tune in to prime time TV to watch Ru Paul’s drag race.
A police report has been filed and organizers said they made the decision to cancel the show out of concern for the safety of the artists.
The Victoria Police Department said in a statement that its officers are investigating the phone calls, but did not disclose the nature of the threats made.
“It is very disappointing to hear these deeply worrying calls and the impact they have had on staff, event organizers and those waiting for this event,” the sergeant said. Jennifer Ames, who is also the co-chair of the Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee.
“Hate does not take place in Victoria. We want those who were waiting for this event to know that we are responding to ensure that they are safe and that we expect this event to return.”
Caffe Fantastico owner Ryan Taylor said in a statement that the company has hosted the event for the past three years and that no incident like this has happened before.
“I am very grateful to our staff, who took the time to try to educate the callers. They informed the callers that the shows were suitable for all ages,” Taylor wrote.
“The show is a dance or musical performance that is organized to be open, safe and accessible. A mother at this family event has stated that this is one of the best experiences they have been able to attend with their child and he let us know how important it was for them to be welcome. “
Threats come as Texas lawmakers seek to introduce legislation to ban minors from drag shows, the latest in a wave of anti-gay and anti-transgender legislation that has come out of the state in recent months .
In the United States, there have also been a record number of anti-LGBTQIA + bills introduced in state legislatures as early as 2022, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Organizers of the Victoria show say the support they were shown after being threatened with violence has been a “silver lining.”
“Please rest assured and continue to challenge transphobia, homophobia and attitudes that lead to situations like this,” they said in a statement on their Instagram page.
“Hate is alive and well,” Kohn said. “That’s why pride is important, and that’s why the pride parade exists and is still important because hatred is still very much alive and well even in Victoria.”
Caffe Fantastico says it is providing any information needed for the police investigation and adds that it will open this Saturday evening in support of the LGBTQIA + community.
Anyone with information about the threats made should call Victoria Police at 250-995-7654 extension 1 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Editorial policies Report a bug