Organizers cancel Lincoln drag show, citing threats
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Star City Pride Drag Show was canceled Thursday due to safety concerns for patrons and organizers.
The fundraising event was set to be held Friday at the Crescent Moon Coffee in the Haymarket.
In a Facebook post announcing the cancellation, organized said “an extreme group of individuals” were posting misinformation, threats and derogatory information about the event.
Channel 8 reached out to Star City Pride for a comment but did not receive a response.
The Nebraska Freedom Coalition, a conservative political action committee, welcomed the cancellation on its Twitter page.
Looks like the “all” ages drag show in Lincoln got cancelled. We welcome the news. But it does make you wonder why they just didn’t change it to an adults only drag show. It’s like they were targeting children.
Have your drag shows, we don’t care, just leave the kids out of it. pic.twitter.com/XLxlK1J6SX
— Nebraska Freedom Coalition (@NebraskaFreedom) December 16, 2022
OutNebraska said threats of violence surrounding these events have recently grown.
“I work with leaders across the country, and for many folks, they have had Proud Boys show up at meeting and events and that’s very scary,” Executive Director Abbi Swatsworth said. “I do not know if it’s specific to Lincoln; I think it’s happening everywhere.”
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said on Twitter on Friday that Lincoln’s Municipal Equality Index score improved from 53 to 92, making it the highest-ranked city in the state.
Ensuring #LNK is a safe place for all, especially our LGBT+ community, has been a focus of my administration’s One Lincoln initiative. In just 3 years, Lincoln’s Municipal Equality Index score has improved from 53 to 92, becoming the HIGHEST RANKED city in Nebraska!
— Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird (@MayorLeirion) December 16, 2022
That report was designed by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to help residents learn how inclusive their city’s laws and policies are of LGBTQ people.
Star City Pride said it is still going forward with another event this weekend in Lincoln.
Crescent Moon announced on its Facebook page that 25% of sales in December will be donated to Star City Pride.
