'Offensive to God': Drag queen Christmas fundraiser sparks backlash in Michigan village

A small village in Michigan faced resistance at a council meeting, as residents were unhappy to learn that a drag queen would be part of a fundraiser for the village's annual Christmas event.

Chesaning, Michigan, is a village with approximately 2,500 people northeast of Lansing.

A recent Chesaning Village Council meeting was packed with residents who took issue with a May 6, 2023, fundraiser involving a drag queen that was reportedly put on by a "committee of young people."

The event, as reported by CBS affiliate WNEM 5, is titled "Not Your Average Chesaning Brunch" and is to benefit the Chesaning Candle Walk. A prayer vigil is set to take place outside the venue.

“A drag show to raise money for Christmas is offensive to God,” one resident said.

“I work in the industry that fights sex trafficking, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. And from time to time, these shows can be very provocative and sexual in nature,” another resident claimed.

Neither the village of Chesaning nor the Chesaning Chamber of Commerce were involved in the planning of the event, according to reports. The event is being held at a private business, as well.

“You have a committee of young people that work very hard to come up with different ways to raise money. And those that are opposed, okay, you’re opposed. Don’t go,” another resident resident remarked.

“The people that are attending that brunch are doing so voluntarily, they’re excited to be there. It’s being held in a closed-door room in a privately owned business. Only adults are allowed in. There is no physical danger or threat to anyone’s well-being. So please, if you’re upset about this, just ask yourself why is it such a big deal,” added another resident.

Despite no official involvement from the local government, Councilman Keith Wenzel addressed the crowd at the meeting with a moralistic argument: “I’ve read people that are accusing the people of running this event and/or attending it are being judged as sinners. But isn’t being judgmental a sin in itself?" Wenzel asked. "Some of the comments thrown at people running this fundraiser, or attending, are being vilified and judged by others that might not even know them. We as a human race need to get back to being more tolerant, accepting of different people having different opinions,” he continued.

Council members concluded by reportedly saying the issue is not up to them to act on.

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