'Drag Queen Bingo' For Kids Inappropriate Use Of Library Funds: Pekau

ORLAND PARK, IL — Keith Pekau, the mayor of Orland Park and the Republican nominee for the 6th Illinois Congressional District, has denounced the Downers Grove Public Library for hosting a Drag Queen Bingo event for children next month, stating that it is an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds.

Controversy erupted after the library announced the event, which features drag performer Aurora Divine calling bingo numbers and a doing a short lip sync performance of Katy Perry's song "Firework," according to library officials. The event is geared toward children in 7th through 12th grades.

“I join parents across the district in denouncing this event, just as I would denounce a library introducing kids to straight sex by holding a burlesque show,” Pekau said in a written campaign statement. “To be clear, I have no interest in regulating the private, consensual activities and decisions of adults. This event, however, targets children. It’s inappropriate, and an unacceptable use of taxpayer funds.”

The GOP nominee also called on his Democratic opponent, Congressman Sean Casten, to join him in condemning the “adult-themed” entertainment event aimed toward children.

In an interview with WGN radio host John Williams, Pekau said he believes that “85 to 90 percent” of voters in the newly remapped 6th Congressional District find the planned event as “bothersome” as he does

“It’s wrong and to people who can’t see it’s inappropriate, that’s their problem, not ours,” Pekau said.

Library officials have stated that the Downers Grove Public Library strives to serve all the Downers Grove community by creating a welcoming environment for everyone, which includes many different groups of people and interests. Diverse programs, such as drag queen bingo, the library claims, help everyone accept and celebrate people who are different.

“It’s a drag queen show first and drag queen bingo, so it’s not just bingo they’re doing,” Pekau said during the WGN interview. “We shouldn’t be doing events like this in public spaces, particularly children between 7th and 12th grades. It’s inappropriate.”

The loudest detractors of the event are from Naperville-based Awake Illinois, a grassroots conservative advocacy group that aims to fight the existential threat of critical race theory in schools, among other programs. The group has also decried public school sex education as “perverse” and labeled Gov. J.B. Pritzker as a “groomer.” Earlier this year, Awake Illinois recognized Pekau with an Advancing Freedom Award, for challenging Pritzker in federal court over the state’s face mask and COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Awake Illinois is encouraging its supporters to pressure library trustees to cancel the event, and to show up at the next Downers Grove library board meeting on Sept. 28.

Library officials claim that the Downers Grove Public Library has been on the receiving end of “aggressive emails” and threats, some so disturbing that the library has reported them to police.

Admitting to Williams that he had never been to a drag show, Pekau said that a drag show, by its very nature, has sexual content and overtones.

“This is an adult theme and does not belong in front of children, and frankly, shouldn’t be paid for by the public library,” Pekau said.

An anonymous donor has stepped forward to cover the costs of the drag event, including Aurora Divine’s $125 performance fee. Registration is already full for the free event and has waiting list.

Pekau also had a warning for Downers Grove library trustees.

“I think people are very happy that I stood up and said something,” he told Williams, “but they’ve been standing up well before me and they will continue to do so, and they should hold the Downers Grove Public Library accountable, and they will do so in April.”