Organizers of a Halloween-themed drag show meant to raise funds for a local LGBTQ resource center are facing threats of violence and death after the event was featured by a right wing Twitter account with a nationwide reach.
Sanford Yoga Community Center and Combat Sexual Assault will host Halloween Drag Brunch on Sunday at Hugger Mugger Brewing in downtown Sanford. A private, ticketed event, the show will feature a brunch at noon and performances from Drag Queens and Kings from Greenville-based Underground Presents. All funds raised will benefit SYCC’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center.
But organizer and SYCC owner Lindsey Knapp, an attorney and U.S. Army veteran who has works as an advocate for victims of sexual violence, said she’s started receiving threats of violence and death over the event from strangers after the event was featured this week by “Libs of TikTok,” a Twitter account with 1.4 million followers that “reposts a steady stream of TikTok videos and social media posts, primarily from LGBTQ+ people, often including incendiary framing designed to generate outrage,” according to a story from earlier this year in the Washington Post.
Libs of TikTok’s tweet indicates that one of the drag performers is “inspired by Satanism,” although Knapp says she doesn’t know that performer and they are not on Sunday’s bill.
“I’m not so concerned about the people who are just mad at me or who may show up to protest,” Knapp said Friday. “On the back end, there are people posting threats, saying to show up with guns and ‘shoot your local pedophile,’ and that’s what has me concerned.”
Knapp has reported three separate death threats to local authorities, and has hired private security for the event. She says accusations of “grooming” and pedophilia have nothing to do with the event.
“This is about showing the LGBTQ community that they are loved and supported, and that their freedom of expression is supported,” she said. “I’m the parent of a trans youth, and I want him to know that he can be himself. I wholeheartedly believe that children should be protected from sexual assault – I own an organization called Combat Sexual Violence and I’m an attorney, and I literally represent survivors every day.”
Knapp said she’s trying to stay positive by planning a sign making party at her yoga studio on Saturday and encouraging those who support the drag show and its cause to show up and make themselves heard.
“We’re just trying to send a message that love wins and we all have a right to exist,” she said.
Sanford Police Department Major Vinnie Frazer said law enforcement is aware of the threats and investigating them.
“We’re adding extra officers that day to be downtown monitoring and making sure nothing happens and nobody’s rights are violated,” he said. “We take any threats of violence seriously.”
This isn’t the first time controversy has surrounded a drag show hosted by SYCC and Hugger Mugger. In June, both the yoga center and the brewery faced calls to cancel the event and subsequent criticism when they declined. But that event didn’t draw any threats of violence, and although a handful of protesters showed up outside, no incidents were reported.
“(Threats of violence are) taking up a lot of my time,” Knapp said. “I’ve reported them, and I had to go sit in front of the magistrate, and all that takes away from what should be a really positive thing. If people want to protest, that’s fine. As a veteran, I swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, and that includes freedom of speech. But you have to take threats seriously.”
This breaks my heart. When will the hate and violence stop?
Are we really gonna do this again? It’s bad enough we’re getting more threats, homophobic remarks, and completely baseless accusations about people, but now we’re going so far as death threats? For a charity event?
I only hope that SYCC and Hugger don’t cancel. That’s what these foolish people want.
I’d like to know why we can so quickly raise funds for this new movement when we still haven’t figured out a way to provide a skateboard park or other avenues to keep our many, many local teens involved in positive social activities.
Phyllis, it’s really simple. People who want to raise money for a skate park or other avenues, need to create events to raise money. That is exactly what this group did. It is on your plate now.
What relevance does her status as an Army veteran have in this situation? Way to try and pull this heart strings Rant…
If I may comment on your question Thom, I believe that her status as an Army Vet was used as merely a reference to the Constitution which allows all freedom of expression by all peoples regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. I think the Rant used it as as framing device for her and the story not as a ploy to get sympathy, although I could be mistaken, but from what I read that is not the impression I was getting.
I suspect the reference is a reminder that patriotic Americans can be found left of center as well as far to the right and near to the fascists. The far right in this Country has attempted to partisan ize Christianity and Patriotism by make it nearly ethically intolerable to stand in the same room with some of the whack jobs.
Your level of utter stupidity is astonishing. YOU and those like YOU are the reason this nation is permanently divided. And YOUR side WILL LOSE. #terroristmotherfucker
I agree. Even though I may not support the Trans-gender movement, they do have a right to perform at a PRIVATE event without incident that a person needs to buy a ticket for. If you do not want to see the show, then don’t buy a ticket, stay at home or go see a movie. Heard the new Halloween movie is pretty good, so go see that, pretty simple idea huh. Everyone has the right to their own opinion or to decide what is right for themselves to view and support, but everyone has the right to express their individual freedom in the way they see fit. And it’s not like they are parading down the street with signs that read ” join the movement and become trans!” It’s a private event that requires admission to and if you bought a ticket you know what your about to view. Yes, you do have a right to protest the event, but it must be done peacefully and without violence.If you do decide to protest, keep in mind that it is your Constitutional right to do so, but it is also the right of the local law enforcement to arrest you should you violate the rights of others.
Like they said before, if you don’t want to see the show, stay home ! There are lots of things you can do besides focus on this event !
RepublicanbyChoice said it perfectly. This isn’t a public event being conducted on public property where we would all have a say if we want an event like this to take place. This is a private event, taking place on private property, behind closed doors, that requires a ticket to attend. So to all of my Constitution loving, Freedom loving, Liberty loving, Lee County citizens either you support an individuals or a groups rights or you do not. Don’t talk about freedom, liberty, or the Constitution if you only use these talking points for issues or situations you agree with, because that isn’t how it works. Sadly because of jackasses who want to scream about morality making threats of violence (seems counterintuitive), our tax dollars are going to be wasted for increased police presence. So good job Morality police all you have done is wasted more Lee county tax dollars that could be used for more important things. BTW I am a retired, 25 year multiple combat tour Army Veteran and I may not agree with the lifestyles of the people at these kinds of events, I will protect and defend their right to be who they are. They are Americans and they have a right to Life, Liberty, Property, and the pursuit of happiness. If you call yourself a Constitutional conservative you need to decide who’s rights you protect. Everyone’s, or just those that you agree with?
RLTW
Well said, D. Roberts !!
Political parties are so interesting in how they are made up. Physical conservative & libertarian type republicans are okay with the event as long as no one is forced to attend and it is on private property while evangelical republicans think it is a perversion and should not be allowed. I agree with the libertarians. For those evangelical types go to the good book and read Matthew 7:1-3.
Everyone has a right to protest and express themselves. If people in sanford can show up to drink, smoke, and screw each other at private house parties, then everybody else should be able to do as they wish on their own private property. I don’t see anybody protesting that, though I am sure some of them sit in church on Sunday morning and judge everyone else!!!
Very few people commenting here are old enough to remember that the left can be violent, can be pretty good bomb makers, can shot up buildings and people.
What I see coming down the pipeline is far right extremists are going to finally trigger the violent left and give us a real culture war.
The irony of living in a “civilized” society is that law enforcement has to periodically crack the heads of extremists and the vast middle has to congratulate law enforcement for their hard work. The far right has been allowed to fester and grow too long and the bill is going to come due.
Those not old enough to remember the left being violent are still toddlers or have [like you] the mentality of a toddler. And your threat of violence towards those who don’t agree with your views is noted.
You don’t seem to read very well
SPAU said: ” far right extremists are going to finally trigger the violent left and give us a real culture war.”
Far right extremists have been trying like hell to “trigger” folks, and they are starting to pay for it (see: January 6 insurrection, as the biggest event to date) with prison sentences. So if the far right keeps it up, maybe they will ALL end up in prison, and the rest of us can go on about our lives without having to fear or worry about them, their negative effects on our society, and the costs they impose on the rest of us.
Have all the drag show you want! I don’t care! Just keep kids under the age of 18 out of it. Too many times these shows end up with them dancing sexually in front of kids.
Jan 6 was a protest. Insurrection my butt. We knew Bidens handlers would screw this country up and he has. He supports abortions, little kids cutting off their genitals, tanking our economy, etc. so yeah people showed up on Jan 6 and it was mostly peaceful just like 2020
Just Saying – Agree with the first part of your statement about restricting the show to adults if it is sexual in nature. I can’t confirm since I’ve never been to a drag show. I guess you are speaking from 1st hand knowledge.
The second part of your comment shows your ignorance. Do you consider attacking police officers mostly peaceful? Do you consider the attempt to overthrow the implementation of a legitimate election an act of patriots or traitors to our democracy?
What specifically did Biden do to cause what you call “Tanking the economy”? This is the same economy that just showed 2.6% growth. Unemployment is in the historical low range at under 4%. I can’t give Biden credit for that though, because the FED has way more control than any president. Elected officials can hurt the economy with certain policies such as tariffs, that ultimately just cost the consumer more. The day Biden took office, the Dow Jones sat at 31,017. It closed Friday at 32,861. So what has Biden done to tank the economy?
As always – God Bless America, and screw you Red-Hatters!
I agree and disagree with a lot of opinions here so far. First, we are all in agreement that anyone can have a show, whether it’s a drag show, or whatever, as long as it’s private and restricted to those who know what it is, and are old enough to attend it, correct? Good. To reply to Just saying, I for one would agree that Jan 6 was a protest, it was. However, it did tend to get out of hand. What should have been a statement, ended up being labeled as something it should not have been, an insurrection. I believe, that feelings got people caught up in the moment, and things got out of hand…just a bit. Do you agree with that?
Red traitor hater, I was with your comment until you decided to insult Just saying, assuming that he/she has been to a drag show in the past….do you have any proof for that remark? If so, then your remark is valid, if not,you have no right to slander another person for voicing their opinion.
Secondly, yes a police officer was tragically injured during Jan.6. and those individuals who are responsible for such an act have been punished by the law of the land. So allow me to ask you this. When George Floyd was killed it made National News headlines. The spin on it was a Police officer was responsible for his death, but autopsy results show, without a doubt, that a high level of Fentanyl and other illegal drugs were found in his system prior to his death. Yes, the officer did kneel on the back of him while restraining him (it has been proven that he was not kneeling on his neck no matter what the media may claim.) but he was in that position because he refused to comply with the orders given by the officers in the first place and would not sit down, or get into the back of the car. The officers did everything they could to restrain a suspect who was causing a disturbance, or breaking the law, and unfortunately, the man lost his life due to the actions. Or did he? Was is the result of the police, or was it due to the high level of illegal drugs in his system, which caused his death? It was labeled “abuse of power by law enforcement” and that was just not accurate. Remember, he refused to comply with any order given to him.
And finally, the closing of businesses. I personally feel it was wrong. Be it mom/pop businesses, Corporate businesses, or what have you, no business should have been forced to shut down. Precautions (masks, social distancing) were in place and that in my opinion were enough to keep everything running as normal. Yes, mistakes were made by both parties during the pandemic. I am willing to admit that Republicans did have a few bumps in the road when dealing with it, but so did Democrats. Neither party is free from mistakes and that is the plain truth whether it is popular or not. It is over now, and in the past ( President Biden even announced as much) so let’s get off what went wrong during it, and how people feel it was unfair and the fault of Democrats/Republicans, and move forward. Not a single one of us were there during discussions on how to respond to it, so none of us can say, this was wrong, or this was right. Yes, we can look back and say maybe we should have done this or that, but that is hindsight, and that is very easy to have.
RepublicanTraitorbyChoice – Just saying stated “Too many times these shows end up with them dancing sexually in front of kids.” That sounds like first-hand experience to me. Otherwise, how does Just saying know that?
You are a fuqing idiot to claim that the bad police officer didn’t how did you say it? Oh yeah ” (it has been proven that he was not kneeling on his neck no matter what the media may claim.) “. We all saw the video’s and pictures. As much as you would like to spin it otherwise, the Medical Examiner (You know, the doctor that determines actual causes of death), said that “neck compression” killed George Floyd, not drugs.
I don’t even know why you brought this into the conversation about a drag show that has already happened. Especially since you support the people that attacked the police trying to protect our democracy.
FUQ You and all who try to downplay Jan 6th.
Always remember: A vote for modern republicans is a vote for Fascism.
God Bless America, and screw you Red-hatters!
Mostly peaceful just like 2020. Nothing to see. I will not vote for a democrat for nothing. They are aiming for a collapse of our country. Democrats are quickly becoming unhinged! They consider all white people racist and everything is because of white supremacy. I saw we head for divorce and all the liberal fruitcakes can move to California Oregon or Washington State. Trump 2024. We need some coherent and not weekend at Bernie’s
The democrats also shut things down and forced people out of job over the jab that didn’t work. Biden didn’t create jobs. He took them
Police attacked. Convictions for sedition. Nothing to see if you don’t care about protecting our democracy. Fuq you, and all fascists like you. A vote for modern republicans is a vote for Fascism.
God Bless America, and screw you Red-hatters!
What are you talking about? The Chips Act and Infrastructure Bill passed under Biden is already creating new jobs. Since Biden took office 10 million jobs have been added. Biden had no power to cause all the jobs lost during the pandemic under Trump. On top of that the US had the fastest recovery than any of the G7 countries.
Its mighty funny that the ‘proud boys’ and the one woman that was so scared they had to form a circle around her were there brave enough to be yelling at people but not brave enough to show their faces. All because some people are different than them. Thats so stupid excuse me for not having a squatted truck that my mom and dad bought me with the muffler cut off. Maybe yall should really educate yourselves on what a pedophile is
Homosexual cat fights sell newspapers and save failing piss beer breweries I reckon. 😉
D’Angelo could probably end all of this if he just took a dope dog by the drag preformers…but what do I know except 95 percent of them are on meth. It’s their modus operandi. You’re welcome.
Red traitor hater. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question/comments. I appreciate your insight. I will however not be baited into a conversation with someone, who apparently thinks it’s funny to insult others just because their opinions differ from yours. You have no clue what I support and it’s obvious to me that you are incapable of having a civil conversation with anyone who has a different viewpoint on things. Again thank you for taking the time to respond and enlightening me as to the type of person you are.
RepublicanTraitorbyChoice – Your beliefs shine through the comments you make, and the questions you ask. I understand the desire to disengage when you are confronted with facts, and not talking points.
Remember everyone – A vote for modern republicans is a vote for Fascism.
God Bless America, and screw you Red-hatters!
This is such a sad situation. Nobody, at least any normal healthy person wants this type of perversion anywhere close to them, especially near their children.
It’s hard to understand why the owner of hugger muggers wants to be know as the business that brought this to Sanford, but he seems to be locked in with the LGBTQ and the drag queen crowd.
They need prayer, they are blind to their own sin, and vile lust. These people do not care about love in any way. They only care about forcing good, normal families to accept their behavior. When we don’t accept it, and speak up, we are accused of hate.
We simply do not want this type of behavior around us, and especially around our children and schools. That’s all, we don’t believe it’s healthy, normal, or needed in our community.
Nobody is forcing it on nobody simple thing is if parents didnt want to go then dont go, doesnt make the performers child molesters or groomers, but parents exposing their children to protest and teaching them thats its ok to yell shit at people ooh yeah thats soooo much more better, lets teach them to be racist towards people thats not like them👍 good job
Red traitor hater. Again, thank you for your wonderful insight into the type of person you really are. I am not going to get into a discussion with you about what you deem are factual evidence, which is far different from morality and that is where you are getting confused at, and what is not. I saw the same report as you, as did millions of others when it was released,
And I would only assume that your trying to be humorous, or funny by implanting the word traitor in my name as well. That’s fine, if you feel like you must do that, go ahead, but just so you know it’s very childish.
And my beliefs shine though the comments I make…..hmm. um no. No they do not, but again, feel free to think that if it makes you feel better about yourself. And I enjoy both talking points and factual evidence. However, one thing you need to learn in life, is a talking point is the start of a conversation between two people, then they discuss the facts of whatever they are speaking about. That is how adults conduct themselves when engaging in conversations, maybe you should learn it instead of just shouting insults, trying to belittle people , and proving you do not have the moral fibers to hold a civil conversation with someone, just because you have a different opinion then they do. Again, thank you for responding, and maybe next time to reply to someone, you do so with thought and respect even if you disagree. You may just learn something along with the other person. I hope you have wonderful evening and a very pleasant day tomorrow.
RepublicanTraitorbyChoice, RedTraitorforthewin, ReELECTtraitorTrUmP!, rightisrightevenifyouareaTraitor, ConservativeTraitorbyNature, or whatever new name you want to use this time – Understand that I know exactly who and what you are. The faux civility on some of your names does not fool me.
You put lies out there, then when I confront you with facts, you ignore the response. You do not want discussion, you want to put your bullshit out there, then can’t defend it when confronted with the truth. You use different names to give the impression that there are many more that support your lies.
You ARE the modern republican. I know many old school republicans who do not believe as you. They are beginning to see the light, and are wondering what happened. They don’t want to be the fascists that their party has turned in to.
Know this, I enjoy calling you out, and making you look like a fool. It’s quite easy work. Your bullshit claims are easy to prove wrong.
Now I’ll show some faux civility. Thanks for reading my post, and waiting on the edge of your seat for it. I look forward to our future encounters.
Remember everyone – A vote for modern republicans is a vote for Fascism.
God Bless America, and screw you Red-hatters!
Red traitor hater. As I stated before, you have no clue about my values, or traits, or anything about me. You can tell yourself you do, but I know what I stand for, and that’s all that important to me. Yes, I am Republican, never hid the fact, and never will. Very proud of my party affiliation because I agree with the values and ethics they embrace. You may not agree with them, but I do , which is why I chose to join their party. You obviously are the type of person, who no matter what is presented, believes they are always correct in their assumption. There is no discussing anything with you because the second someone offers a different opinion that you may not agree with, you get offended and start insulting them, calling them fascists, and other terms you believe are comical. Well, just so you know, they are not. You touch on the subject of facts quite a bit as well. In case you were not aware of this, facts are almost always misinterpreted by close-minded people. I accept facts, whether I agree with them or not, I do accept them. Other members of my party may not, but I do. For example, and this is the only time I am going to mention this. I will refer to it as The Mar-a-Lago event. If former Pres. Donald Trump, did have classified documents in his possession when the FBI raided this house, and he did not have the authorization to hold said documents, then he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, as it was illegal for him to have those documents in his possession. It’s called right is right and wrong and wrong, and it should be distributed evenly and without prejudice regardless of who the person is, or what position they hold or previously held. Now, that is my take on the situation, but many people in my party, and at the last gathering we had, completely disagreed with me on that. “He’s the former President”, “He had the right to have classified documents”, they would say. They defended their position, and I defended mine. The only difference between us is a few of them were personally offended, and I had to point out that I was not attacking them, but the actions of the person they wanted to discuss. See I don’t take anything personal, and I almost never get offended by things, waste of my time and energy, and when people do that, they lose sight of what the discussion was about in the first place, so in that aspect, yes, I am a modern day Republican, and a lot of old school (as you put them) Republicans agree with me on that.
I hope you learned something by reading my response, if you didn’t then maybe, just maybe, open your mind up a little bit and actually listen to the other person. It may help you grow and become a better person. If you choose to respond, that’s great. I look forward to your insight and maybe we can have a conversation. If you choose not to, then that’s alright as well. But make no mistake, I do not wait on the edge of my seat, for anyone to ever reply to something I have said.
Thank you again for your opinions. Should you choose to respond I would hope you do so civilly and with respect as that is what I believe I have shown you. If you do not and you want to try to be funny, or throw insults, then engaging in a dialog with you is pointless and I will end the discussion with you.
If yall really took the time and researched shit before yall go jumping to conclusions, there isnt any child moslesters or groomers, if yall didnt have on those cheap ass walmart sunglasses and actually paid attention you would of seen that. And ooh lets protect the children, from drag queens and kings, but its ok to have them outside while their parents protest and yell hurtful things at people walking by going to the show? Oh yeah thats a good way to get parent of the year! Dont hold your breathe waiting on your parent of the year trophy though cause guess what you arent going to get it. If the so called ‘proud boys’ really want to make a difference maybe yall should find a way to actually make a impact on the world instead of doing shit to keep making people hate each other more and more. If yall are going to have big enough balls to yell at people and call people really terrible names have big enough balls to not have on sunglasses and masks
RepublicanTraitorbyChoice – Of course I know the type of person you are. Your multiple posts under different names paints a vivid picture. You can think of me however you like. I really don’t care.
I am pleased that you claim to accept facts, and would really like discussion. Let’s do that. Let’s re-visit some of your comments and discuss.
To make it clear, let’s address them one at a time. We will keep it on topic, and not deflect to other things. Agree?
Let’s start with your spinning this thread to George Floyd. You claim that the officer did not kneel on his neck, and you insinuate that he died from drugs. My response was to reference the video’s and pictures (taken from different angles btw), that show without a doubt, that his knee was in fact, pressing on Floyds neck. I also noted that the Medical Examiner (doctor that determines cause of death) confirmed that the official cause of death was neck compression.
Facts presented to you: Pictures, Videos, and official cause. You now have the opportunity to accept the facts, and admit that your assertions were incorrect.
Please provide links to official evidence that shows my claims are incorrect. I will gladly view and consider.
Your response?
Remember everyone – A vote for modern republicans is a vote for Fascism.God Bless America, and screw you Red-hatters!