CHARDON, Ohio — Smaller crowds than expected gathered outside local drag events in Chardon, Ohio, after threats flooded organizers for the past two weeks. 

What You Need To Know

  • A small crowd of peaceful protesters gathered outside of an adult drag brunch event in Chardon on Saturday

  • The event was followed by a drag story hour at a local church, where security was so intense, protesters couldn't be onsite

  • Hate groups have claimed drag performers are groomers and said they would protest the events

  • Both the drag brunch and story hour sold out

After having their property damaged by Molotov cocktails, Community Church of Chesterland leaders said they’re relieved protests remained peaceful. 

It’s been an especially long two weeks for Pastor Jess Peacock. 

“There has been a ton of anxiety,” they said. “But at no point have I been scared because I’m not scared of these people.”

Peacock is the pastor of Community Church of Chesterland. 

When the church announced plans for a private, ticketed drag brunch for adults, followed by a private, ticketed drag story hour for children, the threats starting flooding in. 

“It has just become this flash point, this issue, that we neither wanted, nor in all honesty, that we expected, at least on the level that it has become,” Peacock said.

While some expected a large crowd, there were only a few dozen protesters who came by the brunch event throughout the morning on Saturday. 

Jim MacNeal, vice president of the Geauga County Tea Party, was one of those protesters, and said drag and homosexuality are against his religion. 

“I see this as not square and particularly well with the word of God, and that’s what I’m here to do today,” MacNeal said. “I’m here to proclaim the word of God.”

Supporters of the drag show gathered on the other side of the street and said queer youth need to have spaces to be themselves. 

“I grew up queer in Ohio, and I needed spaces,” one supporter said. “I needed communities to show me that being queer is not something to hide away. It’s not shameful.” 

This time last week, the church suffered damages after being hit with Molotov cocktails and had a sign destroyed. 

Local authorities urged church leaders to cancel in the interest of public safety, but they refused.

“True change, true transformation, true evolution of the culture comes from being out in the community, doing this kind of work,” said Peacock. “Not backing down in the face of fear.”

Because at the end of the day, they said it’s about having fun and giving kids a safe space to be whoever they are.

“Our aim is to be an open and inclusive community,” Peacock said. “That's what we try to do, and if that brings us hate because we are open and inclusive, because we think that's what Scripture commands us to be, then so be it. We won't stop and we won't back down.”