Local activist speaks out against Charlie’s costume contest
Charlie’s Denver has found itself in the middle of a controversy after creating a Halloween event on Facebook, Flaming Saddles, which invites people to enter a Cowboys and Indians costume contest on October 24.
It didn’t take long for community activists, alongside Charlie’s customers, to speak up.
“This event is offensive. Native American people represent a culture. NOT a costume. An event of this nature is disrespectful to two spirit LGBTQ people. Cancel this event immediately. If you fail to do the right thing and cancel this event. We will be forced to take further action,” Jordan T. Garcia posted on Facebook.
Jordan is a immigrant rights organizer, and is calling on the community to take action. He cites the GLBT Commission for the City and County of Denver in example. And just looking at Facebook, clearly there are plenty of people willing to speak out. He says a protest or picket is not out of the question, though he really doesn’t want to go that route.
Jordan has been going to Charlie’s for many years, and would like to move past this so he can go out and enjoy country music. But, Jordan who identifies with the Mestizo background, says that Charlie’s owes the community an apology.
“I think it’s offensive,” Jordan tells Out Front. “They’re starting from a place of treating an entire culture as a costume. Especially with Denver changing Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day, they should know better; it’s just wrong. I understand they may be behind the curve on this, but I expect more from the gay and queer community of Denver.”
At the time of this article being published, Charlie’s hasn’t responded to requests for an interview. More as the story unfolds.
