A Fresno church’s decision to host a controversial drag festival is drawing sharp criticism from one Fresno City Council member.
On Saturday, the festival – titled Fresno’s Drag Festival: This is Me! – is scheduled to be held from noon to 4 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
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Event organizers are calling it a family friendly event. Tickets for children aged 10 and under cost $10, while general admission is $35.
Special guests Vander Von Odd and Melissa Befierce, drag performers who were part of a drag reality show, will be present at the festival.
The event will have food vendors, a local fashion designer and a runway show.
Fresno City Councilman Garry Bredefeld sounded off on the event on Twitter Thursday.
“The evil efforts to sexualize our children continues through what they refer to as ‘Family Friendly’ Drag shows,” Bredefeld wrote. “First, it was done at the Fresno Zoo on June 24th where children could ‘meet and greet with the queens after the show.’ Now it’s a church!
“Sickening & disgraceful.”
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has been active with the local LGBTQ community.
Its website states that the church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, a designation given to Lutheran Churches that affirm and welcome the LGBTQ community.
The church sponsored the 2018 Pride Parade and Festival, which honored Pastor Bill Knezovich as its grand marshal.
