Anti-LGBTQ protesters gathered outside a Cookeville drag brunch on Sunday. Dozens of people with white masks stood across from Hix Farm Brewery, holding a Nazi flag and chanting homophobic slurs over the drag show’s music. They carried signs, asking “Why do they want an audience of children?” — despite the event being open only to those 18 years of age or older.
Courtesy Nashville Community Action Team Protesters outside a Cookeville drag brunch hold up Nazi flag.
“We’re getting accused of being groomers, and yet, look at that. He has a Nazi flag, and he’s 16 years old,” says one of the organizers in a video posted to Facebook. “I see a lot of cowards with their face covered … You know what? We can handle anything thrown at us.”
The protesters stood on the opposite side of the street in front of a donut shop.
“We let (the business owners) know that it was happening, and they didn’t care,” the organizer says.
Ralph’s Donut Shop has since put out a statement saying it was closed during the protest and that its business is “not affiliated with the protest.”
The protest comes as drag shows across Tennessee are experiencing backlash from right-wing groups. Diskin Cider in Nashville says its drag shows sparked a similar protest last month.
Drag shows in Chattanooga, Murfreesboro and Jackson City have faced opposition from local government over the past year. One bill before the legislature this session would make it a felony for adult cabaret performances, including drag shows, to be performed on public property or in front of minors.
For its part, Upper Cumberland Pride is still going forward with its events this week. On social media, the pride organization posted, “Don’t let them put you back in the closet.”
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