PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Molalla Pride organizers are on high alert after an announcement that drag queens would be reading to children at their family-friendly event escalated to online threats from community members.
The annual event had been held over the past three years, with prior celebrations involving get- togethers, music, waving flags and general shows of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
However, the event’s organizer Hendy Appleton wanted to step it up this year with a picnic, carnival games, field races, and entertainment – including a drag queen story time.
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When the event announcement was officially posted to social media, Appleton – who has lived in Molalla for 18 years – said she expected opposition, but not like this.
“I did not expect violent threats. I did not expect the level of ugliness. I know my neighbors, my neighbors know me. I know the people in this town and we don’t all agree on stuff. But this town comes together even we don’t necessarily agree on things,” she said. “So to see my neighbors, people who I’ve been able to disagree with peacefully for years become violent, hurt. I wasn’t angry. I wasn’t offended. I was hurt to see that level of rage from them.”