by Brian McNary

On Friday, June 30, I drove down to the “drag show” in St George.

***All photos courtesy of Deanna McNary, who did not enter the event, and Kathy Bence who did***

LGBTQ lifestyles have been in the news and are clearly a hot button topic in America right now. The drag show in St. George became the focus of a lawsuit after St George city fathers refused to allow the show, were sued over that decision and free speech, and a federal judge sided with the drag queens. The show must go on.

I get all of that. Just like Hitler youth marching in parades through Jewish neighborhoods in Ohio. Protected speech is protected whether you agree with it or not. That is precisely why it is protected in the first place.

So I went to the show. I went to see what I might expect in Toquerville should a similar event happen here. These are my observations, shaded by my opinions- which you may or may not agree with. Just so you know.

The event was held at the Dixie Sun Bowl. Admission was $15. The venue is protected from “passers-by” utilizing fences and security. You can’t really see into the arena without actually being in the arena. I did not go in.

***Taken from outside the venue as the event was starting***

I stood at the southside, near the entrance, with several people who were singing Christian hymns. There were police officers everywhere. Confronted with my younger self, I asked one young sergeant how he had drawn the short straw. He smiled.

There were about 150 attendees. A small turnout. Perhaps 20 children were allowed in, mostly accompanied by adults. Many of the attendees had colored hair, wigs, tattoos, nose rings, men dressed as women wearing short shorts and makeup. Some attendees dressed in casual clothes and were simply supporting the event or friends. Almost all of them were 35 or younger. Some were recording us on cellphones. At one point, one of the drag queens came out and offered us water.

***Taking a break from singing hymns near the entrance***

On the other side of the venue, the north side, were a group of loud protestors. Some were from Iron and Kane counties. They were chanting anti-grooming slogans like, “Don’t groom our kids.” There was a Trump flag hanging from one truck on that side of the arena.

***The louder protestors who were visible from the street***

Fair warning- this is my editorial part.

I think we can all agree that alternative lifestyles have always been with us and what happens between two consenting adults is not our business.

***A young girl getting a picture with the cast***

I could talk for days about the ovarian or birth lottery. Our parents are a matter of pure luck or chance. Influencing children begins the day you are born by a parent, your parents, adoptive parents, other relatives, or perhaps friends. At worst, an orphanage. That is how it has always been.

Children are influenced a number of ways, but our parents have the lead role in our formative lives. A huge role. These children are at “drag shows” because their parents or guardians want them to be there. That is a lifestyle choice. Virtually the same as taking a child to a private school, enrolling them in a trade school, or gaining admission to Harvard. Or teaching your children to sell dope. I have witnessed all of those things. Is it wise to tell others how they should live? Generally speaking, no.

Is it fair? No, of course not. It was never meant to be fair.

At the end of that day, I was underwhelmed. I realized that the media have played us and given this issue far more attention than it deserves. I began to mull the possibility that all of this is just political backlash fueled by the media which is hungry for clicks and views.

The First Amendment, free speech, and human rights were on display last Friday. Seems sort of fitting with the Fourth of July waiting in the wings.

More pictures: