The LGBTQ+ community in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is standing up against prejudice by hosting the largest Pride event the small town has ever seen after a local man threatened to commit a mass shooting during a drag performance.
Gun Violence
Mass shootings are a constant and unwavering problem in the United States that has no end in sight, so any threat of gun violence has to be taken seriously.
Steamboat Springs Drag Show Threatened
One of the most recent towns faced with this issue is Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where a local man threatened to shoot up a Drag show at a bar in town.
Schmiggity’s Bar
The drag show was going to take place in Schmiggity’s Live Music & Dance Bar, where they host a variety of live entertainment events, like the Fresh Drag Show, but it was canceled due to a concerning threat.
Event Cancelled Due to Threats
Unfortunately for Schmiggity’s Live Music & Dance Bar and Fresh Drag Show organizers, the show was forced to cancel due to threats from John Clark.
Local Resident Makes Violent Threats
John Clark is a 28-year-old resident of Steamboat Springs who was at Sunpies Bistro, a bar near Schmiggidites, on July 17th when he began making threats towards Schmiggidites for hosting the event.
“Shoot Up” Threats Reported
Clark was heard going on a violent rant by other patrons where he allegedly said he would “shoot up” Schmiggidities for hosting the Fresh Drag Show.
Police Respond and Arrest Clark
Witnesses reported the rant to the police, and Clark was arrested shortly after and charged with multiple offenses, including a felony count of inciting destruction of life or property.
Admission of Violent Intent
According to the arrest affidavit from LGBTQ Nation, “He admitted to making a comment about going to Schmiggity’s and making a scene [and] stated that he potentially made comments about going to Schmiggity’s and causing violence.”
A Safe Space
In response to the threats, show organizer Madame Sassysquatch, the Rafting Queen, told the advocate that their show is one of the few places where the LGBTQ+ community can come together and be accepted.
“We Celebrate Everyone”
Sassysquatch said, “Our drag show has been one of the few places that the LGBTQ+ community in our area can go to celebrate, relax, and have a good time together.”
No Threat Will Stop Us
“We celebrate everyone, and no threat is ever going to stop us from being who we are,” she concluded.
A Focal Point of Resistance
However, despite the threats of arrest, this incident has actually become a focal point of resistance for the LGBTQ+ in Steamboat Springs, taking it as an opportunity to show their strength in the face of adversity.
New Event Planned in Protest
With the added attention these threats brought to the show, the Fresh Drag Show performers are determined to create a new event protesting acts of violence towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Special Edition Show Features
The new special edition Fresh Drag show will feature a mix of local performers and guest artists, including Finnish Hymn Alnite from Club Q, a venue that had also been the target of a previous mass shooting in Colorado Springs.
“A Bigger Show Than Normal”
“Because of the threat that happened, we’re trying to make this a bit of a bigger show than normal. We’re trying to involve more of the community members. Ideally, we just want to say that yes, that threat happened and it was scary,” Madame Sassysquatch told LGBTQ Nation.
Event Date and Security Measures
The event will take place on August 21, and feature enhanced security measures in collaboration with local police, Queer Futures, and violence prevention professionals.
“We Are Here to Stay”
“We want all of Colorado to know that we are here to stay,” Madame Sassysquatch declared in her interview with The Advocate.
Support From National Organisation
The event also gained the support of Qommittee, a drag performer organization that has been helping drag performers across the country respond to threats of violence.
Providing Resources to Stay Strong
“This is happening across the country, and what we are going to be doing and are doing is providing the basic resources so that people don’t feel alone when this happens to them and so that they can come out on the other side stronger,” said Scott Simpson, a community organizer with Qommittee.
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