A monthly Denver drag show for children gained momentum Sunday, drawing more than 100 participants despite demonstrations outside pitting “antifa” activists against “Colorado Proud Boys” and religious critics of gender-bending dress-up activity.
Mothers and fathers escorted carefully-coiffed kids, mostly aged 7 to 12, through the fracas as about 60 demonstrators squared off. High-decibel activists on both sides came ready for a fight, wearing helmets, masks and goggles with some clutching Plexiglas shields.
Denver police kept the peace. Seven parked cruisers and armed officers with pepper spray held ground between opposing factions for more than two hours, until demonstrators left as the three-hour show began on a stage in the Mile High Comics store in northwestern Denver. Sgt. Chris Archuleta said no arrests were made.
This was the seventh “Drag For All Ages” show in the Mile High Comics building, an industrial warehouse located near the Quigg Newton Homes housing complex. Each month, the demonstrations have intensified.
A barrier fence, decorated with U.S. flags and rainbow banners, wrapped the base of the building. A band played inside the fence, drowned by demonstrators yelling through bullhorns, waving signs — “Shut it down, child drag is child abuse” — and simulated police sirens.
A “parasol patrol” of drag show supporters helped participants navigate, guiding them around the demonstrators and police.
“I’m a big believer in free speech. This is America and that’s what makes America great — as long as you are not advocating harm against another,” said Mile High Comics owner Chuck Rozanski, aka Bettie Pages.
“Our goal is to put on a show for kids in a safe space. This is an event for kids. The trans and gender-questioning kids are the most bullied kids in any school,” Rozanski said.
Protesters have targeted the event yet organizers said attendance has topped 200.
“The conflict outside is bringing our community together,” show coordinator “Miss Jessica,” 26, said, praising Denver police for protecting people.
“Antifa is nothing that we requested. I’d like them to go away. We’d like them all to go away. Fighting fire with more fire is not going to bring a resolution to this.”
On one side of 46th Avenue, the black-clad antifa demonstrators defined themselves as defenders of LGBTQ rights and children against white supremacists, Nazi and other “predators” who for months have urged an end to the drag shows. “We’re here because the Proud Boys and Nazis are here,” a 28-year-old antifa demonstrator said, declining to give his name, saying anonymity is “a policy of anarchy.”
On the other, a 42-year-old man identified himself as “a catholic” motivated to pray for children inside.
“This isn’t good for children,” he said, declining to give his name. “There are men. There are women. To encourage children to dress and pretend to be something they are not doesn’t help children become more fully human,” he said, standing near a dozen or so Colorado Proud Boys in matching black shirts and a separate group wearing matching black helmets, masks and face shields.
“I am sort of on this side, but am definitely not a fascist,” the man said.
Colorado Proud Boys members said they are a diverse group supporting LGBTQ rights but opposed to drag shows for children. “Children do not need to be sexualized,” a 34-year-old spokesman said, declining to give his name because he said this could make him a target.
Drag show organizers said the activities are appropriate for children, and fun, challenging critics to look closer.
“Before they judge, maybe they should see a show,” Rozanski said. “How can you scream against something, and declare it immoral, if you never even saw a show?”
