Dupage Policy Journal

Downers Grove Library Director Julie Milavec defended the library’s Drag Queen Bingo programming in an email to staff prior to the event being announced community-wide via a mailer.

In an Aug. 22 memo to staff, Milavec gave staff advice on how to handle the backlash she expected from a since-canceled drag queen bingo event.

She also provided cover for the event without noting the sexual nature of the performance to be aimed at children.

“With the new issue of Discoveries being delivered to DG homes soon, you may get some questions or comments from patrons about the Drag Queen Bingo program for Teens," Milavec told staff. "This program is intended for Grades 7-12, with content appropriate to this age group."

“When responding to questions or comments, you can say: 'Not every program or service of the library is right for everyone. With all of our programs, people can choose to participate or not.' Families that do not want their teen to attend this program have that choice."

“One example I frequently use to highlight that not all programs are for everyone is that if you don't have a toddler, you don't go to storytime. The same goes - if you don't want to see a drag show, don't go to the drag queen program. Public libraries are a choose-your-own-adventure - patrons pick and choose what meets their needs and interests. Not everyone is interested in the same things.”

“Let me know if you have any other questions. As always, you can hand out my business cards freely to anyone who wishes to take their comment to the next level.”

In another memo, Milavec sent a link to a story in which a Glen Carbon library defended its drag programming. 

"If we receive pushback on the Drag Queen Bingo, this could help in formulating a response," she wrote.

The memos were released via a Freedom of Information Act request.

Some critics have said categorically that introducing impressionable children to any material of a sexual nature unless they are old enough to understand it, much less so in the public forum provided by the library.

“Kid-friendly drag show is right up there with kid-friendly strip club, kid-friendly porn and kid-friendly cigarette — it’s self-evident that all of this is harmful to children unless you’ve been brainwashed to believe that kids should be sexualized,” Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, told McHenry Times.

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, the GOP candidate in Illinois 6th Congressional District, released a statement prior to the cancelation 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."

Opponents have deemed not credible the alleged threats Milavec and the library board noted when canceling the event.

Police reports indicate the library turned over a Facebook post – for which its author immediately apologized – after telling protestors to exercise their second amendment rights and a caller

Still, Pekau’s opponent in the upcoming election, Sean Casten, tried to seize the political capital of the moment by suggesting Pekau is somehow to blame.

Casten repeated the unproven allegations of any credible threats against the immensely unpopular event.  

“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.”

Downers Grove Library Board members are Swapna Gigani, Carissa Doughtery, David Humphreys, Barnali Khuntia and Bill Nienburg.