Dupage Policy Journal

GOP candidate for Illinois 6th Congressional District Keith Pekau noted his disdain for a Downers Grove Public Library event.

The event, Drag Queen Bingo, includes a drag queen set to give a performance for and lead children grades 7-12.  

“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 in a statement. To be clear, I have no interest in regulating the private, consensual activities and decisions of adults. This event, however, targets children. It’s inappropriate, and an unacceptable use of taxpayer funds." 

Pekau also called on incumbent U.S. Congressman for the Illinois 6th District to support this fight.

“Furthermore, I call on Sean Casten to join me - as a public official and as a father - in denouncing this inappropriate event and unacceptable use of public resources,” Pekau added. 

Awake Illinois is also decrying the event and has started a campaign on the upcoming show, inviting activists to attend the upcoming library board meeting and write letters to the local government, Dupage Policy Journal reported.

"In the interest of social welfare, we are providing the email of the library board trustees for you and suggest you: 1) Respectfully share your concerns and feedback; sample letter below. Read the Library Board bylaws here. 2) Attend The next Downers Grove Library Board Meeting is Wed. Sept. 28th at 7:30pm," the Call of Action reads.

Children in grades 7 through 12 are being encouraged to attend the bingo event and where the invitation conspicuously reads "a short drag performance included.” A link to a waitlist is also included on the event page which states that registration is already full. 

The North Side Chicago bar My Buddy's will present "Drag Bingo" on September 1st, hosted by Aurora Divine. In the event's advertisement, it is said that "a Raucous Raunchy Time Had by All!!" A drag queen bingo event called "Balls out" was organized by Aurora Divine in March at Charlie's Chicago, a bar in the city's Boystown district. The nearby "gay sauna" Steam Works Baths sponsored the appearance.

This was also noted by Awake Illinois in their call to action: "The scheduled Drag Queen "Aurora Divine" has been promoted as "raunchy" in other event promotions." The organization posed the question "Why is the library board OK with exploiting children in a public setting that may well encourage attendance of sex offenders/child predators?"