Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is making a hubbub about a public library inviting a drag queen to host a bingo event for teens.
Pekau is the Republican nominee for Congress in the 6th District and faces incumbent Democrat Sean Casten of Downers Grove in the November midterm election.
“I join parents across the district in denouncing this event, just as I would denounce a library introducing kids to straight sex by holding a burlesque show,” Pekau said Monday in a statement.
The Downers Grove Public Library said the Oct. 11 Drag Queen Bingo event hosted by performer Aurora Divine was intended for children in seventh through 12th grades.
“To be clear, I have no interest in regulating the private, consensual activities and decisions of adults,” Pekau said. “This event, however, targets children. It’s inappropriate, and an unacceptable use of taxpayer funds.”
The library responded with a five-page statement Monday that said the event would honor its mission to celebrate diversity and inclusion.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and accepting environment for everyone in our community, no matter their age, religion, political party or identity,” the library said.
Pekau seems to be using the stunt to gain attention and to show supporters he opposes exposing children to sex. WGN-AM host John Williams spoke with Pekau during his radio show Wednesday. Williams said he didn’t know whether Drag Queen Bingo involved sex.
“A drag show by its very nature has sexual content in it and sexual overtones,” Pekau told Williams.
I disagree with Pekau. I have seen enough episodes of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to know that drag shows have nothing to do with sex. The Primetime Emmy Awards have honored RuPaul with four straight Emmys for Outstanding Competition Program, besting such other nominees as “The Voice,” “Top Chef” and “The Amazing Race.”
I admired the library’s thorough and thoughtful response that addressed unfounded concerns and misinformation about the event.
“One of the falsely named concerns that has been shared with us is that hosting this event will ‘groom’ children,” the library said. “This is indisputably false.”
The library said it received feedback from people who accused the public body of teaching children to be complacent around sexual predators and exposing children to sexual material.
“This is also completely untrue,” the library said. “The performance will not be sexual in nature.”
The library invited a performer known as Aurora Divine to host its Drag Queen Bingo event. Aurora Divine hosts weekly bingo events at two different Chicago venues, according to a bio provided by the library.
“Drag is an art form that lets you portray a different character than yourself and a way of expressing yourself,” Aurora Divine wrote. “I am proud of what I do and continue to inspire and empower anyone who is told be different is to be wrong.”
The library said an anonymous community member donated money to cover the $125 cost of the program. The event is free, but registration is required.
“Due to overwhelming response at this time the program is full, but the waitlist is open,” the library said.
Pekau and Aurora Divine both seem like performance artists. Divine plays a drag queen, and Pekau plays an aggrieved person who seems to want others to believe the left is destroying America.
I think it is hypocritical for Pekau to complain about how a library chooses to spend $125 when the mayor made Orland Park taxpayers foot the bill for an estimated $70,000 in legal expenses when the village sued Gov. J.B. Pritzker
More Top Picks Wrench Set
over pandemic restrictions. I have previously criticized Pekau for misusing public resources for political gain.Pekau is either ignorant about drag entertainment by saying it is sexual in nature or he is deliberately misrepresenting the situation in hope that supporters see him as someone willing to fight on their behalf.
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and former attorney for President Donald Trump, has performed in drag multiple times. He appeared in drag onstage with Julie Andrews and filmed a skit with Trump while dressed as a woman.
“Drag can be a creative outlet, a means of self-exploration, and a way to make cultural statements,” the library said. “Programs like this help everyone see people who are different being accepted and celebrated.”
Williams discussed that point with Pekau on his radio show.
“This acknowledges that there are people of all stripes out there,” Williams said.
“You’re saying that because it’s in our world it has to be shown to seventh graders,” Pekau replied. “That’s absolutely wrong.”
Pekau made it sound like this was some sort of mandatory obligation as opposed to a wildly popular optional opportunity for teens to have fun with friends. The library essentially said no one is required to attend any program if they don’t want to.
“We understand that this program might not be for everyone — just as all programs, books, services, and other materials from the library will have different audiences,” the library said.
Political performance artists don’t let facts get in the way of a good rant. They want to motivate supporters to turn out on Election Day by keeping them outraged with baseless fears about purported threats to safety and decency.
“To use a blanket label for drag queens as pedophiles and groomers perpetuates harmful false narratives and demonstrates a lack of understanding surrounding the drag community,” the library said.
Pekau seems to be peddling outrage to an audience of potential voters in the upcoming election who have never seen a drag performance.
“A typical drag show features a performer dressed in costume, often times singing or dancing,” the library said. “A drag show is not the equivalent of a strip or burlesque show.”
Feigning outrage about a drag queen hosting a bingo event for teens at a public library is sheer political theater. Kudos to the library for sharing truthful information about drag performers and clearly explaining how the program fits into its mission as a public institution.
“Through providing opportunities or teens to see their own identities and identities of others, the library is providing opportunities for teens to recognize that difference is OK and celebrated — and to see it by example,” the library said.
Ted Slowik is a columnist with the Daily Southtown.