A New York children's charity has ditched plans for a drag event for kids following intense backlash from local residents.
The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, a non-profit organisation that describes its work as "giving children a voice and putting an end to abuse", announced last week that its all-ages drag bingo event will not go ahead on Sunday.
Ed Popil, a drag queen who goes by the name "Mrs Kasha Davis", was scheduled to co-host the event, but claimed that the organisers who pulled the plug on the event were giving into "hate".
Popil told Mary Whittier, the charity's CEO, that "we're letting hate win" on a phone call after he was informed of the event's cancellation.
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|Popil told Mary Whittier, the charity's CEO, that 'we're letting hate win'
Popil said: "Pretty much on a daily basis, unfortunately, as a drag artist, as a performer, especially when I do story hour, and most recently I was at a Pride festival, and I brought the kids up and we’re dancing, and then when you look at the comments, the hateful, negative, angry comments were plentiful.
The non-profit organisation released a statement which read: "While harm was never our intent, we recognize that this decision has impacted the trust of many who believed in our commitment to inclusivity.
"We are committed to promoting a culture where every person who walks through our doors feels welcomed, valued, respected, and accepted - including members of the LGBTQ+ community. We are listening. We are learning."
Despite the cancellation and subsequent statement, social media users continued to criticise the organisation.
Despite the cancellation and subsequent statement, social media users continued to criticise the organisation
One user commented: “The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester has issued a response filled with vague language, identity politics, and self-preservation.
“But not once did it directly acknowledge the core issue: inviting children to an adult-themed drag fundraiser under the banner of child protection.”
Another said: “Inclusion of LGBTQ should have NOTHING to do with a non profit whose ‘supposed’ mission is to advocate for our communities most traumatized youth.
"Why is this even a thing? Wildly inappropriate.”
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|Popil (pictured) insisted that the event 'was appropriate for all ages' and the work that he does is vilified too harshly.
Following the cancellation, Popil insisted that the event "was appropriate for all ages" and the work that he does is seen too harshly.
He said: “Drag is an art form - it has a place for everyone, just like music has content that’s available for kids and adults, and in theater and film.
Popil added that he will donate funds raised from one his future shows to the Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester.
He said: “That’s why I do the work that I do. That’s why I read books to kids. That’s why we encourage the messages of shining your light, being yourself, and being kind to others.”
The move comes just weeks after Suffolk County Council cancelled a storytime event hosted by a pantomime dame, Mama G, amid fears of that protestors would disrupt the event.
Krystal Vittles, Head of Library Services for Suffolk Community Libraries, said: "Due to extreme negative reactions to similar events in other areas, including protests and disruption, we have postponed these events and are currently carrying out an additional risk assessment.
"This is an operational decision as a precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, residents, and local communities."