Library cancels 'Drag 101' class amid safety concerns, threats: 'My community is predatory in their eyes'

Mahira Dayal
Updated
Selena T. West was scheduled to host "Drag 101" at Delaware County Public Library, which has since been relocated due to controversy. (Credit: Courtesy of Selena T. West)
Selena T. West was scheduled to host "Drag 101" at Delaware County Public Library, which has since been relocated due to controversy. (Credit: Courtesy of Selena T. West)

An Ohio library canceled a class for teens interested in learning about drag culture after facing backlash from people both in the community and beyond who saw the event as inappropriate.

The Delaware County District Library’s Orange branch had plans to host a “Drag 101” class on June 5, taught by drag queen Selena T. West, a former Miss Gay Ohio America and Miss Gay Heart of America, ThisWeek Community News reported.

But the event didn’t sit well with some people, who voiced concerns about the sexual nature of drag.

During a Delaware County District Library board meeting on May 22 to address concerns, West explained to board members that the program is intended to be about hair, makeup, nails and the history of drag, according to a video posted to YouTube.

“It’s not going to be about sex, it’s not going to be about gender, it’s not going to be about whether you’re trans,” she said. “It’s going to be about the basics of how to get in drag.”

But the explanation was still not enough for many community members, who called the library to express their concern.

In a statement provided to Yahoo Lifestyle, the library said it received “some hostile and angry messages,” some of which appeared to threaten the safety of the library staff, its patrons and West herself, in addition to “the teens and caregivers for whom we strive to provide a safe space.”

Despite earlier reports that the event would go on, the library announced that the event was canceled after its meeting on Tuesday with Delaware County Sheriff Russell Martin, in which “the safety of the public and the teens in attendance at this event” was called into question, ThisWeek Community News reported.

“When we went into the meeting, he said he shared our concerns, and that was the final decision for us,” library spokeswoman Nicole Fowles told the outlet.

There was also controversy surrounding the event bubbling up on social media. In a statement provided to Yahoo Lifestyle, West mentioned — among others— a woman by the Facebook name “Activist Mommy” who reportedly came out publicly against Drag 101.

The Activist Mommy, whose name is Elizabeth Johnston and is a Christian author and speaker, described West’s Instagram posts as obscene and encouraged the public — especially parents — to stop the event. In a Facebook post, she said “personally sent out 55 thousand people, asking them to call the library.”

In a statement provided to Yahoo Lifestyle, Johnston said she spoke out against the event as a result of her beliefs.

“We denounce all violence or threats of violence and do not engage in such hateful tactics. We never wish harm on anyone in the LGBT community, but only pray for them to experience the saving power of Jesus Christ.”

West told Yahoo Lifestyle that while Johnston and other detractors “do not condone violence but have pages that publicly demonize homosexuals, drag performers and trans individuals.” She said that “their rhetoric makes it clear that my community is predatory in their eyes which insights the threats.”

West discussed the cancelation of the class in a Facebook Live video, saying “I was able to handle literally being called a pedophile, straight for the last week. Those accusations from the opposing side are disgusting and really just perpetuate a stereotype about gay men around children in general, that is so gross.”

“I really thank the director for making a decision” she added. “He really thanked me for being a good voice for this program and he was really sad that it wouldn’t be able to continue.”

Library director George Needham said at a Wednesday press conference that the “the library will continue to serve as a safe space for the entire community – not just the majority or a minority.”

Following the cancellation, West took to Facebook on Wednesday to share that a private donor decided to pay for the class, which is going to be held at Secret Identity Comics in Delaware, Ohio, on June 5.

Yahoo Lifestyle reached out to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office for comment and will update this post when we hear back.

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