In Response to the JAC Family Friendly Drag Event
July 21, 2023
It has come to the attention of the Iron County Democratic Party that a line has recently been drawn in the sand, attempting to force people to choose a side for or against our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, even at the expense of Cedar City’s parks and arts funding.
A family-friendly Drag Paint Day, sponsored by a private party, is being held at the Johnson Center for Community Arts & Education in Cedar City. This has caused quite a stir, with accusations ranging from drag performers being unable to perform without gyrating their hips in childrens’ faces to drag performers sex trafficking children. These accusations are not only false, they are hateful, harmful, can lead to violence (which should never be acceptable for any of our community), and distract people from the real horrors of sex trafficking and child abuse – which is overwhelmingly carried out by cisgender men. Additionally, this has led to an outcry from a small but vocal minority to end the RAP Tax, which subsidizes the costs associated with Recreation, Arts, and Parks (R.A.P.), helping to keep our community active and vibrant year-round.
As a party, we stand with the Drag community and their freedom to express themselves. As Americans, we believe in the Constitution and the First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech, which SCOTUS has determined through numerous cases includes what attire is worn. As citizens of Iron County (and big fans of the arts, as seen by the crowds at the Utah Shakespeare Festival), we believe in the Arts in all forms – even those which we do not necessarily agree with. The freedom to make personal, spiritual, and political statements through artistic means is a staple in history and we embrace that better than anyone else. Cedar City is, after all, Festival City, USA.
ICDP has not directly sponsored this event. We, nevertheless, back the performers, the artists, and, importantly, the families who are coming so their kids can paint and enjoy people in fun costumes. We ask the citizens of Iron County to support these people as well. Please come to the event – it goes from 3:30-6:00 PM Saturday, July 22. There is, as would be expected at a community arts and education center, an artist-led painting event for everyone to take part in, accompanied by a family-friendly drag show. Please note there is limited space – so it is first come, first served – but if we can show those involved that this is a desired event, we may be able to schedule more. The event is free.
There is also a $6 concert happening on the lawn outside the JAC from 3-6, so if you’d like to enjoy some tunes, that’ll be a fun hangout.
Together in compassion, kindness, and hope for the future,The Iron County Democratic Party Executive Committee