After Threats, Drag Queen Bingo Canceled At Downers Grove Library

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Ongoing threats targeting the Drag Bingo event at Downers Grove Public Library have prompted the library to cancel the event. Citing the "severity" of the threats, the cancelation was announced via the library's website in the form of a letter from Downers Grove Library Director Julie Milavec and library staff.

The letter read, in part,

"Providing an inclusive, welcoming, and safe space for everyone in the Downers Grove community is of the utmost importance to the library. We recognize the significance of offering services and programs like Drag Queen Bingo that provide a window to the world, as well as a mirror to it, creating opportunities for patrons to see the wonderfully diverse community in which we live. Unfortunately, in this case, it is not possible to provide a safe place for everyone due to the threats made. "

The cancelation comes less than two weeks after Milavec and library staff shared a statement standing by the Drag Queen Bingo event, following demands from Awake Illinois for the library to cancel it. Planned for Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day, Drag Queen Bingo was open to children grades seven through 12 and involved drag performer Aurora Divine calling Bingo numbers and performing a song.

Awake Illinois and other residents also raised concerns about Aurora Divine's social media presence and cited a previous drag queen bingo event that had Divine had hosted at a bar called My Buddy's in Chicago. The bar had billed the show as "raunchy."

The library's original statement read, in part,

"First and foremost, drag is a celebration of self-identity and self-expression. A typical drag show features a performer dressed in costume, often times singing or dancing. Many drag performances are not sexual in any way. A drag show is not the equivalent of a strip or burlesque show. Performers craft their show to fit their intended audience and venue. Their performance for adults at a bar will not be the same as their performance for teens at a library. Performers are everyday people who enjoy dressing up and entertaining people. To use a blanket label for drag queens as pedophiles and groomers perpetuates harmful false narratives and demonstrates a lack of understanding surrounding the drag community."

Subsequent threats began to prompt increased police patrols near the library. According to police reports, in once instance, a former Illinois man commented on a Facebook post about the Drag Queen Bingo Event and wrote, "Bring weapons."

Investigating officers reported that they spoke with the man during and that he apologized for writing the comment.

Library officials did not provide details on additional threats in their announcement Monday and would not comment further.

"Hate did not win today," Monday's statement said, as library officials apologized to teens who hoped to attend Drag Queen Bingo. Officials promised to offer support and inclusivity in other ways at the library.

"We are disappointed and saddened by the some of the vitriolic feedback that we received for what was meant to be an evening of fun and celebration of self-identity and self-expression," Monday's statement said.

"We ask the community to please show kindness in the days leading up to National Coming Out Day, October 11."