Drag show organizers nationwide have reported bomb threats targeting this year’s Pride Month drag events. Four bomb threats were reported over the weekend of June 8 and 9, 2024 alone.
On June 8, The Seward Community Library & Museum in Seward, Alaska evacuated families that had gathered for a story hour hosted by drag performers following a phone call threatening to bomb the building. Evacuees were relocated to the Alaska SeaLife Center, where the performers continued with their story hour and hosted an arts and crafts session. The event had previously received community pushback when a group of Seward residents had approached City Council to request that the event be canceled. Following the bomb threat, several Seward businesses started a fundraiser that has raised over $13,000 for The Seward Pride Alliance, the organization that hosted drag story hour.
The Woodstock Public Library in Woodstock, New York also hosted a drag story hour on June 8. The following morning, the library received an email from an unknown sender with the subject line “We will kill you.” The email read: “We placed a bomb in the library that will detonate soon—fuck you and your drag queens.” State police searched the library premises with a bomb sniffing dog and found no evidence of an explosive. The drag story hour had occurred without incident.
The New Art Center in Newton, Massachusetts received a bomb threat on the morning of June 9, less than an hour before its scheduled Drag Queen Story Hour. After police searched the building and found no evidence of a bomb, drag performer Missy Steak decided to move forward with the event. The story hour occurred without incident.
On June 9, The Brewtorium in Austin, Texas closed and evacuated after receiving a bomb threat directed at their monthly drag show, the Legendary Drag Brunch. State police searched the premises and did not find anything suspicious. Legendary Drag Brunch organizer and performer Kelly Kline stated, “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. I’ve always been an activist drag queen, but now I’m even more determined to spread joy and protect my community.”
Anti-drag threats of violence threaten the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide OFM’s Pride Safety Guide contains tips and resources for staying safe at Pride events.
