Organizers of a monthly drag queen show at a Victoria cafe canceled the event after the venue received several homophobic and transphobic phone calls.
According to Caffè Fantastico owner Ryan Taylor, a caller on Tuesday even threatened to come on Saturday night to shoot the participants.
It was after this incident that the organizers of Sashay Cafe drag show decided to cancel it and file a complaint with the police.
Ryan Taylor said employees had to deal with several calls, including some where the caller expressed homophobic sentiments and denounced the event as aimed at pushing children to be homosexual. My employees were shockedhe said.
The team did their best to try to counter that ignorance and explain that it was just a show where people were dressing up, Taylor added. It’s not obscene, it’s positive.
The police investigation is ongoing
The Victoria Police Service said it had launched an investigation.
It is extremely frustrating to hear these disturbing calls and see the impact on employees, organizers and those waiting for the event.said Sergeant Jennifer Ames.
Police say they are informing the cafe and show organizers and supported.
On Friday, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps denounced it threats of violence taking place in the middle of the month of Pride, and it was adopted that they did not no place in [sa] community.
With information from Ali Pitargue and the show The Early Edition
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
