Drag show cancelled after online threats
A Melbourne cafe owner has spoken out after she felt compelled to cancel a children’s event hosted by drag queens over threatening comments.
The event was cancelled two weeks ago after owner Meg Anderson started receiving strange phone calls and messages related to the “Colour me Egg-cited” Easter event.
She took to social media earlier this week after uncovering an online forum which was threatening to track down the home addresses of the drag performers.
“For any of those who were thinking of protesting an event that has been cancelled for over two weeks, we say we are sorry,” she wrote in a short post to the Alice Rebel’s Cafe and Bar Facebook page.
“Our venue is a venue for anyone and everyone.
“You could be purple, pink, orange or more and we would welcome you with open arms.”
One person claiming to have a contact at VicRoads said they would be able to find out the drag queens’ home addresses by matching up their car registration numbers when they arrived at the cafe, The Age reports.
“As they crumble, you’re smiling like a shark, predators become prey,” one of the threatening messages posted to Telegram read.
Another encouraged protesters to make the drag queens’ “world rather small”.
On Thursday morning, Ms Anderson further emphasised that Alice’s Rebel was a place for “respect” and a “safe space” for the community.
“As a hospitality business we don’t do politics, we do people,” she wrote.
“[We] believe that everyone has a right to be treated with respect, considered equal and know that when they walk through our doors, it is into a safe space that includes creating a space where alternative forms of entertainment that cater to different parts of our community are offered.
“We respect that these might not be for everyone, but we ask that you respect all our customers and staff members’ fundamental right to be treated with respect.
“Please leave the world at the door.”
People have flooded the comments section of her posts with messages of support and offers to visit the venue soon.
“Love what you do,” one person wrote.
“Now with gay sons, I respect just how much venues like your cafe help and save our young people.”
“You’re always so welcoming, and I’m sorry people are causing you drama based on their own wacky agenda!” another wrote.
“Never heard of your business before, but we’ll be heading over there to eat this week,” a third said.
The “Colour me Egg-cited” event included egg painting, colouring-in and games.
The developments follow the cancellation of a number of drag performances scheduled by a southeast Melbourne council, due to similar threats from protest groups.
