A drag queen is furious over a children-focused charity pulling the plug on a drag event for kids and adults due to community backlash.
The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester — a tax-exempt nonprofit based in upstate New York — announced on Thursday that it was canceling an all-ages “drag bingo” fundraiser set for August 17.
Drag queen Ed Popil, whose stage name is “Mrs. Kasha Davis,” was set to co-host the event, and says the cancellation is about giving into “hate.”
Popil said the charity’s CEO, Mary Whittier, let him know about the cancellation on a phone call.
“I said on that call, well, then we’re letting hate win,” he told 13 WHAM News. “Because 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.”
Popil said Whittier told him they shut down the event, in part, over “some backlash.”
Community members were not pleased about the drag event, specifically since it included children. A commenter named Brent Bivona, for example, said on The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester Facebook page that the backlash was about “inviting children to an adult-themed drag fundraiser under the banner of child protection.”
The charity pulled the plug on Thursday, issuing a lengthy statement that gave the organization’s full support to the “LGBTQ+ community” and for “inclusion.”
The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester’s “about” section of its website boasts about being “dedicated to giving children a voice and putting an end to abuse.”
“This was never about ‘inclusivity,’” Bivona said in the comment section of the charity’s Facebook post. “It was about boundaries — boundaries that matter when you’re working with vulnerable, traumatized children. Your decision to host, defend, and then vaguely walk back this event signals a stunning betrayal of your mission and the families who trust you.”
Popil, who’s put on “story hour” events in drag for young children, claims he gives age-appropriate performances.
“I’ll speak for myself,” he told 13 WHAM News. “I can look across a room and know what kind of performance I’m going to give that’s going to be appropriate for all ages.”
“I would love for them to see the perspective, to see the eyes light up,” the drag queen continued. “And I say that audience — eyes that are lighting up — are not just children.”
“That’s why I do the work that I do,” Popil added. “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.”
Mrs. Kasha Davis via Instagram
Below is The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester’s full statement:
Over the past week, The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester has been at the center of challenging and emotional conversations following the announcement — and later cancellation — of an event intended to support our mission. We want to begin by acknowledging the pain, anger, and disappointment that many in our community — particularly our LGBTQ+ partners, allies, and supporters — are feeling. Our mission has always been rooted in creating safety, healing, and support for all children and families, including LGBTQ+ youth and communities. The decision to cancel the event was not made lightly. It was based on a number of complex factors and concerns, including the potential for the conversation around the event to overshadow our core focus: the children and families we serve. We serve them with compassion, dignity, and respect. We deeply value the support of individuals and groups who share our commitment to building a safer, more inclusive community. Our events — and those held by others on our behalf — are intended to bring people together in celebration of that mission, never to divide. 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. And we are actively engaging with community partners to understand how we can better live out our values. We remain committed to being a place where all children and families — regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or background — feel seen, safe, and supported. To everyone who has reached out with care, concern, or feedback: thank you. We will continue to show up for the children who need us most, and work together to build a stronger, more inclusive community.
