Protests drawing attention, security outside drag shows

A monthly, all-ages drag show in Denver is attracting attention from protesters and counter-protesters as it grows in popularity, and heightened security will be in place for Sunday’s performance after a fight involving pepper spray broke out before last month’s show.

Chuck Rozanski — who performs in drag as Bettie Pages and owns Mile High Comics, where the shows are held — offered the stage in his store when local drag queen Jessica L’Whor, who goes by Miss Jessica, contacted him about finding a location for family-friendly shows.

Rozanski said he and other organizers don’t condone either side of the protests.

“I am an advocate for folks’ transgender rights and also for kids’ rights, and so I’m working all the time to try to make sure young people get the opportunities that are currently being denied to them,” he said.

The shows have been growing in popularity with almost 400 attendees last month, Rozanski said. He compared the shows to school plays, with children and families dressed in costumes, some in makeup and some not, playing music and performing.

With increased attendance, the show has also garnered more public attention. People who believe the drag shows are morally wrong started protesting, and their presence led to the formation of Parasol Patrol, a counterprotest group that brings rainbow umbrellas and ear muffs to block hateful words shouted at families coming to the show.

Earlier this week, a flyer warning of white-supremacist groups coming to protest was distributed in Sunnyside, and it asked neighbors to protect themselves and neighbors.

At the event last month, an altercation between protest groups led to pepper spray being used and police responding to the incident, Denver Police spokeswoman Christine Downs said.

Police will be monitoring the event, planned for 5 p.m. Sunday, she said.

“We have a team that checks on threats, and we want to make sure the events are safe for everybody, including the people that are protesting,” Downs said.

Rozanski said he has received positive and negative feedback about the shows, but he believes in them, and if that ends up costing his store, he’s willing to accept it.

“Everyone who is nonbinary in our country deserves the right to follow their path and do what makes them feel whole,” he said.

The Parasol Patrol provides volunteers at the show to ensure children are protected from negativity. “We’re there for the kids and to block them from all this chaos and all this mess,” said Pasha Eve, one of the organizers.

Last month’s event got out of hand with the protests and counter-protests, with some white-supremacist groups and people who consider themselves Antifa clashing. Parasol Patrol plans to be more organized on Sunday, Eve said. They’ve limited the number of volunteers and have made specific plans with event organizers about where they’ll be. They’re not security, although that will be provided, she said.