‘Too big of a security risk.’ Perry drag show canceled after gun threats, backlash
An upcoming drag show in Perry was canceled after the venue received gun threats and hate from community members, according to a police report.
Main St. Bar planned to host a disco karaoke event with six drag performers Sunday, June 30, but felt “too big of a security risk to move forward,” according to their Facebook.
The bar owner told the Perry Police Department Monday that her neighbor approached her that day and said he “wouldn’t be surprised if someone didn’t show up with a 45 and shoot some of these people, that he may even be one of them,” a police report obtained by The Telegraph said.
The owner said her neighbor was “very vocal about his feelings” and “wanted to discuss the event and how it was not a good look for the city,” the police report said.
The neighbor also told her a church and others would “raise money to cancel any contract or anything like that to cancel said event,” the report said.
The owner initially contacted Perry police Monday morning about various social media posts that posed concern about the event, then updated the department on the conversation she had with her neighbor that afternoon, according to the report.
The owner told police she did not want to press charges or have anyone arrested, but reported the incidents “in case something happens if she still has the event,” according to the police report.
The owner’s home and business were put on the police “watch list” this weekend.
One of the performers, who goes by Sadé, told The Telegraph these threats were “scare tactics,” but the LGBTQ+ community will not disappear.
“It’s not going to effect the amount of queerness,” she said. “It’s not going to have anything to do with the amount of queer people you have in the area or anything.”
Sadé, who usually performs in Atlanta, recalled an incident when anti-LGBTQ+ protesters and law enforcement were at Macon Pride 2024.
“The Pride fest still went on just fine,” Sadé said. “People always try to throw in the whole thing about how drag is inappropriate or inherently sexual, but there were kids everywhere having a good time ... they didn’t seem confused about anything.”
While the event was canceled, the bar will remain open for live music events over the weekend.
“We would like to thank everyone that did show their support and love for us and this event,” the Facebook post said.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
