Drag Queen Bingo: Downers Grove Library Stands By Criticized Event

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — After coming under fire for scheduling a Drag Queen Bingo event for children in October, the Downers Grove Public Library (DGPL) released a statement Monday to stand by its decision and "identify misconceptions that are being spread through various outlets."

The statement, which includes a lengthy section addressing "frequently asked questions," comes after the group Awake Illinois released a public service announcement calling for DGPL to cancel the event. The Awake Illinois PSA urged residents to share their concerns with the library's board of directors and attend its Sept. 28 meeting "in the interest of social welfare."

DGPL Public Relations Manager Cindy Khatri told Patch the library has no plans to cancel the Drag Queen Brunch event, which is geared toward children in grades seven through 12 and features drag performer Aurora Divine calling Bingo numbers and performing a song.

The library's statement read, in part,

"Above all, the Downers Grove Public Library strives to serve all of the Downers Grove community, which includes many different groups of people and interests. Our goal is to provide a safe and accepting environment for everyone in our community, no matter their age, religion, political party, or identity. Diverse programs, such as Drag Queen Bingo, help everyone see people who are different being accepted and celebrated."

It continued,

"We understand that not all topics will appeal to everyone, and may even be controversial to some, however we want all members of our community to see themselves respected and reflected in the library’s collection, in our programs, and by our staff."

The statement went on to address what the library called a "[o]ne of the falsely named concerns" brought up about the Drag Queen Brunch event, namely "that hosting this performance will 'groom' children."

Library officials wrote,

"This has been used largely in two different ways: that we are grooming children to be complacent around sexual predators, and/or that we are exposing children to a “contagion” that will spread and “turn them” into something they are not (i.e. gay, trans, etc.). This is indisputably false. A second concern repeatedly voiced to us is that we are purposefully introducing sexual content to children. This is also completely untrue. This performance will not be sexual in nature."

Awake Illinois cited Aurora Divine's Instagram and Facebook accounts, along with a former drag bingo event Divine hosted at a Chicago restaurant that was billed as "a raunchy raucous time."

In response, DGPL's statement said,

"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."

During the library's Drag Queen Bingo event, kids will play bingo for prizes that include gift cards and stuffed animals. Divine will be dressed in "library-appropriate drag,"per the statement.

The DGPL statement concluded,

"We understand that this topic will be controversial to some, however we must recognize that not including them also causes harm. We want everyone in our community to see the library and know they are represented and cared for here. We have received requests from local tax-paying patrons and community partners who would like to continue to see programs similar to Drag Queen Bingo. Research shows that seeing positive representations of oneself, in regards to race, religion, gender, sexually, etcetera, helps children feel more positively about themselves. The second highest cause of death for teens is suicide. When looking at teens in the LGBTQIA+ community, these numbers dramatically increase. Programs like Drag Queen Bingo help all teens see people who are different being accepted. The library has received an abundance of positive feedback, from lifelong residents, new community members, local neighbors, and community leaders alike. Patrons have thanked us for providing this opportunity for teens to see their own identities or identities different than their own celebrated and respected. We understand that not everyone likes the programs we host. As always we welcome the public to share input and ideas about this and other programs. We appreciate feedback and value the opinions of all."

Representatives from Awake Illinois did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment Monday afternoon.

The controversy surrounding DGPL's Drag Bingo event comes just over a month after protests were held in response to a drag show that was planned at UpRising Bakery and Cafe in Lake in the Hills. Shortly after the protests, UpRising Bakery and Cafe was vandalized, with an Alsip man being accused of spray-painting a homophobic slur, "groomers" and "Christ is King" on the cafe building.

Click the links to read the full DGPL statement and for more information about the Drag Queen Bingo event at Downers Grove Library.