New Denver LGBTQ Bar, Sir, Former Event Host Spark Conversation
Sir is the newest LGBTQ bar in Denver, celebrating its grand opening in mid-January, though already, drag performers and community members alike are expressing concerns about the bar’s relationship with Dallas performer Jenni P, who has previously worked with Owners Trey and Tyler Stewart’s Dallas bar, Mr. Misster, and her former role hosting Sir’s Sunday Drag Brunch, to launch February 6.
Specifically, Dallas performers and Denver community members alike expressed concern over claims of racial insensitivity from Jenni P, in the form of comments and jokes both on social media and at in-person events in Dallas. The performer has since announced she will no longer be part of the event, and Sir has also issued a statement asserting their commitment to inclusion in the Denver community and introducing the event’s new host.
Denver drag queen Ximena Latinx was one of the first in Denver to publicly address claims surrounding Jenni P, saying she wanted to wait until she got more information before sharing. “I wanted the facts, not to post just one thing and it come off as gossip,” she tells OFM in an Instagram DM. She also spoke with Shalula Davenport and Kylee O’hara Fatale, who reached out and claim they had witnessed the same behavior.
“As a person of color, I can say we have worked way too hard for a place at the table and together as a scene even harder to be where we are at now and for the representation we have, and we still have more to go, but we can’t allow or welcome this behavior into our scene when we have already been told that this wasn’t the first or the only time that this racial behavior has occurred,” Ximena writes.
One screenshot shows Dallas queen Erica Chanel referencing the cast announcement for her Black Excellence show, where Jenni P comments, “Will there be a white excellence?”
Ximena then told Samora Kash and cautioned her to be leery about her role in Sir’s February 6 Drag Brunch event, which prompted Samora to speak out on Instagram.
The post says it was brought to her attention there has been an “ongoing issue with racial comments, posts, and attack on the Black community stemming from Jenni P. There have also been screenshots of such behavior as well as testimonies from the Black community, Black entertainers, as well as the city and LGBTQ+ community of Dallas, Texas.”
Samora continues, referencing that, as a person of color and someone who stands behind Denver’s Black community and Black lives, she could not stand behind a group of people who “diminish or poke fun at the Black community,” saying that we must continue to fight for BIPOC communities on all fronts and never stand behind those choosing to spread hatred.
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The comments on Samora’s post were supportive, with Dallas queens agreeing the claims surrounding Jenni P are not new.
Kylee O’hara Fatale comments, “THANK YOU! i am a Dallas queen, and I have been saying this FOREVER, yet she’s over here hosting at some of the biggest places. And she has been saying these kind of comments all the time, even on the mic, for years!”
Fellow Dallas queen April Rition responds with a series of clapping emojis followed by the message, “Dallas queen here. And I’ve been saying this for years. her remarks online and on stage are disgusting and vile. The amount of racial ‘jokes’ she (says) on the mic is disgusting.”
Dallas queen Xochi Mochi shared the post on her Instagram story Wednesday with the text comment, “This Dallas queen (stands) with you @iamsamorakash.”
Dallas queen Mocha McVenti reposted Samora’s statement to her story and says in a DM, shared with OFM and on Samora’s story, “As someone who has been affected by her, thank you 
.”
Sir’s official Instagram page commented on the post earlier this week, “This issue was brought to our attention today and @sirbardenver has since parted (ways) with Jenni P! We have a new host that will be taking over our drag brunch that will be announced very soon! Our mission at Sir is, and always will be, to grow and serve our LGBTQ+ community in a safe and inclusive environment.” The comment was deleted sometime after, which caused speculation as to the future of the event and Jenni P’s involvement.
Jenni P confirmed on Facebook Wednesday she would not be at the Sunday Brunch event, citing the Facebook screenshot, “I made a joke on a post and people lost their minds. I of course meant no harm, but Denver is just not the place for me.”
The post ended with “Dallas has always been so kind and welcoming to me, and I appreciate it so much! As you know, I love everyone and meant no (harm) with this joke!!!” The statement does not reference the claims of Dallas queens surrounding ongoing behavior at previous events, and it has since been deleted from Facebook.
Sir posted a new promo for the Drag Brunch event shortly after announcing a new host, along with the caption, “Our mission at Sir is to be a safe and inclusive space for the LGBTQIA+ community to enjoy crafty cocktails, delicious food, and great experiences. We’ve read your comments, and we’ve heard the community’s concerns over the past few days. With that being said, we have made some adjustments to our Sunday Drag Brunch entertainment.”
New host Lacey Vanderpump posted a statement on Facebook saying that most of the people commenting have never been to the bar or taken the time to speak to the owner.
“He is doing his best working between Dallas and Denver. I know a ton of people In Dallas, and that’s how I got my in. We have an intersectional staff from a multitude of diverse backgrounds that are working hard to create an inclusive and safe space for all members of our community . I’ve done my due diligence to speak on all my concerns and all the comments I’ve heard before I put my name on it,” Lacey writes, adding in Facebook and Instagram comments that they are still scouting talent and looking for all styles of entertainment.
“As a person of color myself, I’ll guarantee things are done. But damn, let a place open,” she comments on Sir’s updated Instagram post and statement.
Sir’s official Instagram replied on the same thread, to comment asking the bar to specifically address the BIPOC LGBTQIA people affected, “we do NOT support the comments that were made by the entertainer. We have made these adjustments because we do care deeply about the BIPOC LGBTQIA community and all of those that were affected.”
Sir Owner Trey Stewart writes to OFM via email, “I removed our remark from Samora’s post because that is not where I wanted to the community to take information from, but we do have a new host, Lacey Vanderpump, who will be hosting our drag brunches and are very excited to have her!”
OFM replied to Stewart, in reference to claims from queen in Dallas surrounding ongoing behavior in from past events, and asked whether Jenni P will continue to take part in Mr. Misster events and have not yet received a response.
Stay with OFM for more updates.
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