Dupage Policy Journal

Democrat U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) is blaming opponent Keith Pekau for so-called “threats” critics are saying were ginned up by the far left to give a reason for canceling a drag show scheduled for the Downers Grove Public Library.

“I'm incredibly disheartened to hear that the Downers Grove Public Library is canceling their upcoming event - one meant to celebrate self-identity and self-expression-because Keith Pekau and Awake Illinois created an unsafe environment in our community,” Casten said in a statement.

“They should be ashamed of themselves. They have used their platform to promote hatred, homophobia, and bigotry.”

“Let's be clear. This event was canceled because, after my Republican opponent and his far-right allies at Awake Illinois publicly issued a call-to-action to their supporters, the library received severe threats that endangered our community.”

“The 6th District is a place for kindness, love, and decency. Hate has no home here. The fact that Keith Pekau disagrees shows he has no place in public office.”

Casten’s opponent in the Nov. 8 election for the Illinois 6th Congressional District, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, released a statement prior to the cancellation denouncing the event.

“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."

Casten gave no mention to the two hours of speakers at a recent Downers Grove Village Board meeting in opposition to the drag show.

“We need leadership that can look at an event like this and say NO, a 300lb man clad in a Latex tella-tubby suit  pretending to be a woman is grooming and not appropriate for children. I don’t care what the activists, experts and even.......the cheering sexually confused kids say,” Brian Sewell said in a speech prepared for the meeting.

In the lead-up to the cancellation Awake IL launched a "call of action" campaign, urging viewers to attend the library board meeting and contact their representatives in local government.

The library cited "threats" as the reason for the cancellation and made notice of a post from a man who apologized after advising attendees to "bring weapons."

According to police reports, the library alerted the police when a caller expressed his anger to a librarian over the phone.

In either case, the police took no further action.

Those who spoke at the event also mentioned they experienced online harassment as a result, with one man threatening to “show up in drag and fight” GOP Precinct Committeemen District 141 Terry Newsome.

Drag queen Aurora Divine was scheduled to host and perform at the canceled drag queen bingo; she is most known for her late-night shows with an explicit theme.

As part of the program, Divine was supposed to present a drag act.