BUCYRUS, Ohio — Kyle Gale, the drag queen whose Drag 101 class had to be moved from the public library in Delaware County, planned to protest State Senate candidate Melissa Ackison at the Crawford County Fair on Friday. At the last minute, Gale called off the event.
Gale told his followers on Facebook:
Hey all I know this is last minute but I’ve been struggling with a choice. I’ve been watching Melissa’s page. She gets more attention and love from her followers when we go after her and she can post about. Instead of giving her more attention I’ve decided to fully ignore her unless she wins (highly unlikely) her primary. I don’t want to be responsible for getting her elected by giving her a popularity boost from potential bigoted voters.”
Tensions have been rising since Ackison and Ohio Value Voters exposed the drag community’s support of a young boy who danced in girls’ clothing for adults in a Lancaster, Ohio bar. Months later, two LGBT events for “teens” at local libraries were canceled, including Gale’s class. Delaware County Library Director George Needham admitted to Ackison in a taped conversation that “it’s about the whole sexual questioning thing.”
The other course included drag and LGBT sex education for 12 to 19-year-olds in Newark, Ohio. It was shut down after Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) sent a letter to the Ohio Library Association expressing his shock.
“I thought it was a joke,” Householder wrote. “This is unacceptable and should end immediately.”
The media and LGBT community responded by supporting Gale and slamming opponents as “narrow-minded bigots” and “homophobes.” Gale even encouraged his supporters to call children’s services on one opponent. Both Elizabeth Johnston, known as the Activist Mommy, and Ackison have reported being threatened. The planned protest at the Crawford County Fair was the latest incident.
Law enforcement officers and supporters of Ackison were well-prepared for protests Friday. There were at least four uniformed deputies around her fair booth, including the Crawford County Sheriff. More than a dozen Tea Party members arrived early to support Ackison.
“We’re just here to support Melissa. It’s a good cause,” one woman said.
Tim Allamon, another supporter, questioned the motives of the LGBT activists.
“If our diversity makes us strong, why would you force me to be like you?” he asked.
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Beth Lear is a reporter at The Ohio Star. Follow Beth on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Selena.
Where was law enforcement when a young boy danced in womens clothing in a Lancaster bar ? What kind of degenerates do they have in law enforcement in Lancaster ?
Good news that the drag queen push back protest was cancelled. Makes it pretty clear that when “Selina” realized that those standing with Melissa were stronger than those standing with “her”, “she” decided to back down. Typical of bullies, isn’t it?