Ohio Performers Join National Effort to Stop Drag and Pride Bans and Censorship
CLEVELAND, OH – Six drag performers from Ohio have joined a growing national movement launched by Qommittee demanding that elected officials stop attacks on Pride celebrations and drag performances across America. Five Cleveland performers and one Columbus artist are among 20 drag artists from seven states co-sponsoring the national petition following last week's Kennedy Center protest where drag performers confronted President Trump's performance in full drag. The campaign also follows the launch of Qommittee's Drag Defense Handbook, a 43-page guide for performers facing harassment and threats.
Read more about the Kennedy Center protests in Entertainment Weekly, the Advocate and New York Times.
Read more about the Drag Defense Handbook in NPR, Billboard, and The Hill.
The petition, "Stop Attacks on Pride, LGBTQ+ People, and Drag: Protect Free Expression Nationwide," has garnered over 17,000 signatures and calls on officials to reject restrictions on Pride and drag events, stop targeting LGBTQ+ people through discriminatory laws, and hold accountable those who threaten performers and venues.
Attacks in Ohio
The petition comes as Ohio faces renewed legislative attacks and extremist violence. Lawmakers recently re-introduced House Bill 249, the latest attempt to ban drag performances targeting performers who "exhibit a gender identity different from their gender assigned at birth." The state has passed a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills including legislation banning transgender students from using appropriate bathrooms and locker rooms. Ohio has also experienced serious extremist violence, including the federal terrorism conviction of neo-Nazi Aimenn Penny, who was sentenced to 18 years for firebombing the Community Church of Chesterland after it planned to host drag events. Artists in Columbus are receiving death threats and losing their jobs simply for performing.
Featured Quotes from Ohio Performers
Betty Aboddum, Cleveland – CLE Scene's Best Drag Queen 2025
"Now that I have established my place on the drag stage, it has become far more important to me to act as a leader for the queer community, speak out against issues facing my chosen family, and stand up unequivocally for what I believe in. I'm joining as a co-sponsor to put these goals into action and take a direct stand where it matters to us most right now."
Maelstrom West, Columbus – The Miss City of Bridges Comedy Queen. High camp, live-singing performer
"Because we as queer people, queer artists in particular, have been the scapegoat for the far right for far too long. Enough is enough."
Empress Dupree, Cleveland – Qo-founder of Qommittee and The Vietnamese Goddess of Ohio
"Drag brings people together and I'm really proud to join any effort that protects artists. We work so hard to make a living, spread joy and build community–all before we ever had to deal with violence and threats. My drag family here in Ohio are the strongest people I've ever met and we are getting through this–and everyone deserves to have that. We all need to band together to build something bigger than any of us."
Dean Heartthrob, Cleveland- Cleveland-based Drag King
"I want to be apart of a larger community of entertainers that work to take care of each other."
Jace Blaze, Cleveland – Cleveland-based Drag King
"Drag is an art and brings joy to many. Gender non-conforming people should not have to face discrimination and bigotry but yet we do. This is one way for me to contribute more to the defense and protection of the drag community."
Veranda L'ni, Cleveland – Qo-founder of Qommittee and Creator of the Drag Pride Flag
"The attacks on drag aren't just attacks on performers—they're attacks on free expression, on LGBTQ+ people, and on anyone who dares to be different. By coming for drag, they're testing how much hate they can get away with before coming for the rest of us. In Ohio, when they try to silence us—we get louder. When they try to erase us, we become more visible. When they try to divide us, we stand together."
Dubbed the "giant redwood of drag," Veranda stands over 7 feet tall in heels and wigs and performs at Near West Theatre in Cleveland's Gordon Square Arts District, which has continued programming despite bomb threats and organized opposition campaigns.
