qommittee responds to bomb threats in AK, MA, NY, TX during pride’s 2nd weekend
In the second weekend of Pride, Qommittee was able to locate four separate bomb threats facing drag events, through news clips and radicalreports.org. Qommittee has been able to connect directly with several impacted artists and organizers to offer support, informed assistance navigating choices and next steps, and counseling. We also have a petition urging the FBI/DHS to take threats from anti-LGBTQ+ actors seriously that currently has about 12,000 signers.
In Seward, Alaska, Alaska Public Media reported that: “Families were working on arts and crafts at the Seward Community Library & Museum while waiting for a story hour led by drag performers. That lasted until the building was evacuated after a caller threatened to bomb the place in response to the pride-themed event.”
In Austin, Texas, MySA.com reported that, on Sunday: “the brewery received an email saying a pipe bomb had been placed in the office along with a message of expletives against drag queens.”
In Woodstock, New York, Hudson Valley Online reported that, on Sunday: A bomb threat to the local public library stated that: “We placed a bomb in the library that will detonate soon — fuck you and your drag queens.”
In Newton, Massachusetts, the Boston Globe reported that, on Sunday:“a small arts center in Newton received a bomb threat that nearly derailed its Drag Queen Story Hour.”
Below are quotes from impacted drag artists and event organizers, as well as the from the president of Qommittee:
Kelly Kline,”The Wonder Woman of Drag” whose Austin,TX drag brunch that was shut down on Sunday: “If we stop celebrating–they win. Our pride is an awesome and beautiful force for acceptance–and that’s why hateful people are scared of us. We need to be safe but we also need to be strong and joyful and attend our local pride events EVERYWHERE. I’ve always been an activist drag queen but now I’m even more determined to spread joy and protect my community.”
Katarina Mirage, a drag performer whose story hour the Woodstock Public, NY Library was shut down on Sunday: “Every storytime I’ve ever participated in has been filled with love, kindness, support and community. These are family events that people are threatening violence toward. That must stop. We are going to continue looking out for one another, lifting each other up and having an amazing time doing it. Our pride and voices will not be dampened!”
Anthony Baclaan, president of the Seward Pride Alliance in Alaska, which has a GoFundMe that’s raised over $13,000 since the threat: “Our entire community is rallying. Whoever is behind this threat is bringing Seward together behind acceptance for LGBTQ+ people. We’re going to come back stronger than ever.”
Blaq Dinamyte, a DC-based drag king and president of Qommittee: “These hateful people mistake being queer for being weak–they couldn’t be more wrong. When you go after drag artists, you’re going after some of the strongest, most tenacious people on the planet. Drag artists have been dealing with bullies their entire lives and building community their entire careers. ”
