The anti-gay culture warriors went after the local library after OC Pride #1 (here and here). Then one of the major anti-gay culture warriors in Northwest Iowa got himself in trouble during OC Pride #2 for burning a bunch of LGBTQ-themed library book (here, here, here, here, and here). OC Pride #3 was no different when it came to opposition. But this year is an election year in Orange City. And there are popular anti-gay candidates who are running this year with an anti-OC Pride agenda (and not much more). So the current OC city council tried hitting at OC Pride #3 one day before everything was to begin.
Let's start with the drag shows. I'm not a fan of drag shows. They don't interest me. Never have. But they are a major part of LGBTQ Pride events. And anti-gay social conservatives can't stop freaking out about them. And while I'm not a fan, I don't fully understand why anti-gays don't recognize the pageantry and showmanship of drag shows. But they're regarded an perversion. And the performers are accused by groups like Sioux County Conservatives as being child molesters and dangers to the community.
After OC Pride #2, the OC City Council came up with a "conduct policy" for the city owned expo center where OC Pride holds its drag shows. Don't create any safety hazard. No drunk or disorderly conduct. No fighting. No swearing or inappropriate clothing. No "mooning" or exposing private body parts. No lewd movements or movents that simulate a sex act. No thrown, tossing, or discharging any object or liquid substance. No profanity or offensive language. No taunting. Don't disturb other guests' enjoyment. No smoking. Don't violate any city, state, or federal laws.
But the culture warriors and the anti-gay political candidates began complaining that the city wasn't doing enough to push back against OC Pride. So the various city leaders called the various OC Pride leaders to a meeting on Thursday (the day before OC Pride #3 was to begin) and presented them with additional conduct policies that were to be observed during last night's drag show:
The OC Pride leaders applied for an injunction against the city, basically trying to get a judge to tell them to back off. The judge reportedly told everybody that there wasn't enough time to to deal with this before Saturday, but also reportedly told the city that their special anti-OC Pride conditions wouldn't stand up in court if they got sued.
Anyway, the drag show was to begin at 9:00 PM last night. Various city officials showed up at the event center before the drag show was to begin. One of the OC Pride leaders called them out, specifically about the rule that minors weren't allowed to be in attendance. Keep in mind that these were older teens and that some were actually with parents. All of the teens were asked to personally approach the city officials (if they felt comfortable), identify themselves as minors, and ask if they needed to leave the event.
Turns out that there were a lot of teens at the event and they all approached the city officials. The city officials relented. And the drag show went on.
My understanding is that a group of 20-25 anti-gay Christians prayed outside against the drag show.