Parasol Patrol: Shielding Queer Youth

In March of 2019, Mile High Comics in Denver held a drag-for-all-ages event, but  online chatter suggested pushback and possible protest at the event concerning children and drag. Parasol Patrol Founder Eli Bazan took it upon himself to walk attendees to and from their cars, as a total of six protesters sat outside the event. A month later, at the same event, the protestors had doubled in number. Bazan bought umbrellas to block out the signs and angry faces, as well as ear protection for the younger attendees, and Parasol Patrol was born. 

“I don’t remember if it was the owner of Mile High Comics or someone else called us Parasol Patrol first, and it just kind of stuck,” co-founder Pasha Eve tells OFM. “These protestors bring bullhorns, and the most horrible signs and they scream the most awful, awful things, at children, and at parents, and at us. We’ve been called pedophiles or pedophile protectors, and that’s probably the nicest thing they have to say.” 

Since that first event, Parasol Patrol has taken part in many rallies, marches, and queer events not only across the Denver metro area, but around the country. So far, Parasol Patrol has shielded patrons at events in Rhode Island, Missouri, Kansas, North and South Carolina, Idaho, California, Hawaii, and just recently took part in Taylor Texas’ Inaugural Pride event. 

“We get a lot of people messaging us for help at their events. Even if they’re out of state we can help organize from here.”

On the local front, Parasol Patrol has dealt with a multitude of protestors whom they’ve become intimately aware of. 

“Here in Denver, we deal with a lot of alt-right players. You have Louie Howie from Major League Liberty and his Proud Boys. You have former traditional worker party guys, and just an awful lot of QAnon supporters,” Bazan tells OFM. 

“And their numbers are doubling,” Eve says. “It went from six to 10 to literally, like, 20. These people, some of them are kind of scary. One guy stabbed someone demonstrating in Fort Collins, and there was a shooting at an event in South Carolina. And they come out in full riot gear, and helmets and weighted gloves. And why do you need a three-pound mag light, that you’re slapping in your hand at 1 in the afternoon, for a family-friendly show?”

Finding events to shield has proven surprisingly easy for founders Eli and Pasha. Drag Queen Story Hour events almost always bring protestors, as well as other events concerning children and Pride. By following the ongoings of Westboro Baptist Church, Parasol Patrol has been able to block religious Right protestors from a number of events. 

“We get a lot of people messaging us for help at their events. Even if they’re out of state we can help organize from here. So, the event in Rhode Island we weren’t able to make because we had the commitment in Texas, and plane tickets were $2,500, but we found a point person there, Kerry, who’s amazing and is now one of our first chapter heads for their state,” says Eve. 

Beyond shielding events from protestors, Parasol Patrol also started a micro-grant program to support struggling youth and their families. Recipients of the grant receive $100 as well as a ‘Boredom Basket’ filled with games, and books, and even food to help feed the family.

“We always toss a carton of eggs and some toilet paper in there so we can say we’ve egged and TP’ed the kid’s houses” Bazan says.  “When we deliver that, one of us will wear this large inflatable unicorn costume, just to add a little bit of joy for the kids.” 

Through all the chaos and close calls, the members of Parasol Patrol keep their goal in sight: protecting the kids. 

“You know our greatest compliment is when a parent comes up to us and says, ‘My kid didn’t even know there were protestors here,’” Eve tells OFM. 

As a new grassroots organization, Parasol Patrol can use all the help they can get. 

“And it’s not just boots on the ground; we understand not everyone can do these long marches; not everyone can stand for hours on end in the heat. But there are other things you can do to help organize, or find events,” Eli Bazan says. 

You can find more information on Parasol Patrol and how to get involved at parasolpatrol.org, or through any social media platform at Parasol Patrol. 

Photo courtesy of Parasol Patrol