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SOUTH BEND, Ind. — REAL News Michiana has learned the South Bend Civic Theatre will NOT be hosting the LGBTQ Center of South Bend’s annual drag show for children next month. This change comes after pressure from the public following a REAL News Michiana story regarding the drag show several weeks ago. The event is now being moved to a much smaller venue at local church/coffee shop known as “The Well.” The Well has a long history of hosting drag shows for children. The show is part of The LGBTQ Center of South Bend’s “Pride” events scheduled for June 7th, 2024.
While neither the LGBTQ Center of South Bend or the South Bend Civic Theatre made any public announcements regarding the venue cancellation, all of the LGBTQ Center’s descriptions of the event have been changed to show the new location.
“A big show requires a big stage and so we are excited to announce that our LGBTQ Center Drag show is finding a new home at The South Bend Civic Theatre!” A description of the event on The LGBTQ Center’s Facebook page previously stated earlier this month.
The description now simply states, “A favorite event in our South Bend Pride lineup is coming back this year in a big way! Meet us there June 7th for another exciting and entertaining show!” The location for the event has been changed to show it is now happening at The Well.
While none of the descriptions on The LGBTQ Center’s social media feeds or website state that the drag show is open to children, the ticket sales website for the event shows kids are still welcome. In fact, children under the age of 18 get in at half price. Adult tickets cost $15. A ticket for a child is $7.50.
LGBTQ CENTER HISTORY OF DRAG SHOWS FOR KIDS
The LGBTQ Center has a long history of offering drag shows to children. In the summer of 2022, RNM broke a story about another LGBTQ Center drag show in which a Girl Scout Troop attended. At that event, young Girl Scout members tipped the drag queens with Girl Scout Cookies.
The LGBTQ Center also frequently partners with a “church” to host drag shows for children. The Well Coffee House, which is part of (and inside) River Park Grace Church, hosted the “All Ages Drag Pride Edition” event as part of The LGBTQ Center’s “Pride” events in June of 2023. According to the portal used to purchase tickets for the event, children 5 and under got in for free. While kids 6-17 were charged half price.
The church held a similar Halloween themed drag show for children in October of 2022. During that event, free admission was offered to children 4-years-old and younger with children 5-17 receiving a discounted entry fee of $5. However, adults had to pay $10. Both events were put together in coordination with the South Bend LGBTQ Center.
The Halloween themed event received major backlash from the public with a large protest during the show. Ironically, members of the Satanic Temple, Northern Indiana Atheists and abortion clinic volunteers provided security for the church during the protest.
Despite hosting drag shows for children, the LGBTQ Center has garnered support from politicians such as Sheriff Bill Redman and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
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