Visalia community calls for boycott of cookies, bar after threats against Fox LGBTQ+ event

What was supposed to be an event geared toward connecting the community is no more.

Organizers and critics clashed, and a Fox board member resigned over a Visalia movie and drag show event for young people. Community members took to social media Thursday night after the Visalia Fox Theater and the Source LGBT+ Center announced the cancellation of the event Scream Queens.

The Fox theatre said in a statement the cancellation was “due to unforeseen circumstances,” while the Source said they nixed the show due to an increase in “threatening language toward potential attendees.” The Source's Brian Poth wouldn't expand on the alleged threats they received or reviewed.

At least one elected official was also threatened but decided not to come forward so as not to give a voice to hate speech.

Sgt. Mike Short said anyone who was threatened should contact police. Violent Crimes Unit detectives are on hand to investigate threats.

“The wellbeing of youth in our community is always our top priority,” a statement from the Source reads. “After reviewing the publicly posted communications... we made the difficult decision to cancel the event.”

The Source refused to comment further. The Fox didn't respond to requests for comment, and Mayor Steve Nelsen, also the Downtown Visalians CEO, didn't return calls.

Visalia Fox President Merritt Wiseman didn't return calls for comment.

Scream Queens — a drag performance by drag queen Millenia paired with the horror classic film "Scream" — was scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Visalia Fox Theater.

At least one local business owner and two people running for the Visalia Unified school board still have public posts criticizing the event.

Keith Korsgaden, owner of Crawdaddy’s, posted on Facebook, “I hope many of you will join me and say enough is enough with this nonsense...I don't believe that this is what the majority of us want for our kids and grandkids,” he wrote. “Personally, if this show goes on, I am done with the Fox."

School board Area 4 candidate Crystal Reynolds encouraged community members to contact the Visalia Unified School District, asking why the event was promoted to youth on campus.

The flyers were handed out by students in public and on campus — at least one high school.

“If this does not sit well with you," Reynolds said, “consider contacting your current VUSD board.”

Reynolds said one of her concerns is the movie’s R rating, despite the event being open to those 14+ with parental/guardian permission.

“Both should not be promoted on a school campus,” she said.

Promotional material for the show included mention that anyone younger than 17 would require parental permission to attend.

Another candidate for the Visalia Unified school board, Jesse Perez, said, "they were allowed on campus to pass out flyers inviting students to a movie and strip club."

Both candidates said their words were "twisted" by others as posts were shared across platforms and community groups criticizing them.

A drag show is a form of entertainment performed by drag artists impersonating men or women. Typically, a drag show involves performers singing or lip-synching to songs while pantomiming or dancing a comedic skit.

Drag shows have been part of entertainment for centuries, including such acclaimed artists as Gilbert and Sullivan, Milton Berle, and Bob Hope.

Following the cancellation, several community members took to Facebook, tagging the businesses and suggesting Visalians boycott.

“I used to love Friday nights at Crawdaddy’s dancing to the house band,” Julia Doyal wrote in response to Korsgaden. “I will never step foot in your establishment again.”

“I certainly won’t be a customer of Crawdaddy’s again,” Jim Reeves wrote. “The hatred, spite, and bigotry launched by Korsgaden is disgusting.”

Others pointed to Max's Cookies, asking why the conservative cookie maker resigned from the Fox Theater board after urging the venue to cancel the teen-friendly event. In a resignation notice, Max Lupercio said on social media that he would "always continue to support our community, their values, and the many great things Visalia has to offer."

He was unavailable for comment Friday.

Some of his patrons asked why he didn't stand up for the Fox, which he led for many years, and children.

"Max, this is one of those community events that you should have stood up for. These are the same students and children that used to walk from Redwood into your store or walk in now to pick up cupcakes," said a mother who asked that her name not be used out of fear for her teenage son. "We are disappointed in you and the ignorance of people around Visalia."

Others, including those living outside of Visalia, commented on those running for office.

“Sure, allow your kids to get shot, but a man in a dress is a definite no-go?” Hayley Rice, whose bio says she is from the United Kingdom, asked in response to Reynolds.

"A pastor is more likely to violate your child than a drag queen," wrote Laura Haley.

"It's performance art," Jade Verheul added on Reynolds' public post.

"Since when is the Visalia Fox Theater a strip club?" Connie Boyd asked Perez.

Lotella Hale said her issue was with how the flyers were handed out, suggesting no permission was obtained before handing out information on the show. However, students said approval was received before laying the stack of flyers out on tables across high school campuses.

Others said parents could have handled the situation better, suggesting parents were given the option to allow their child to attend instead of trying to shut down the event or urging violence against community members and elected officials.

"If you don't want your kid to (go), then tell them they aren't allowed and get back to regular life," wrote Ingrid Melissa.

Parents reminded critics that this isn't the first time the Fox Theater has hosted a drag show for the community. The establishment hosted The Source’s Pride Night on June 10 with a showing of "To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything," a PG-13 film about drag queens.

The movie was shown as scheduled without issue or threats against attendees or Fox. The show was open to all ages.

"We are continuing to support our youth and planning a future event," an update from the Source reads. "Funds donated to this fundraiser will still be used for an LGBTQ+ youth event in the very near future."

Drag shows are common in Visalia. 5th Quarter hosted a drag show monthly, and Rawhide Baseball also partners with the Source LGBT+ Center for Pride Night each year, usually in June during Pride Month. This year’s event included a drag show featuring three drag queens following the Rawhide game against the Inland Empire 66ers.

Reporters Sheyanne Romero and James Ward contributed to this story.

Lauren Jennings covers education and news for the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register. Follow her on Twitter @lolojennings. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Visalia community calls for boycott of cookies, bar after threats against Fox LGBTQ+ event