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A group of self-described "Christofascists" shocked the internet after filming themselves screaming slurs at people, including children, outside a Dallas gay bar during a Pride-themed drag show.
The drag show was a family-oriented event that allowed children to dress in drag and participate in the show.
The group of protesters, which billed itself on a Facebook event page for the protest as "Christofascists," was led by right-wing comedian Alex Stein.
They filmed themselves waving religious flags and shouting at the children that their parents are "groomers" and pedophiles as the kids cowered in fear.
See the incident below:
WARNING: NSFW content
An ugly protest today. A mob of self described “Christian Fascists” tried to force their way into a gay establishment in the gayborhood of Dallas holding a family event while chanting “Groomers” pic.twitter.com/2F9NE4rs0P
— Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club (@EFJBGC) June 4, 2022
The protest was full of incidents of virulent homophobia and transphobia and included slurs yelled at the participating childrens' parents. It perpetuated familiar Evangelical Christian rhetoric about LGBTQ+ people.
One protester yelled at a parent:
"I only have one question, why do you want to put an axe wound in between your son’s legs?"
Gender-affirming surgeries are not performed on children and are not legal before the age of 18 anywhere in the United States.
Other protesters called kids' parents "groomers" and accused them of pedophilia, a now-common refrain among the right-wing which has chosen to brand anyone who is not explicitly anti-LGBTQ+ and especially anti-trans as groomers and pedophiles.
The slur began to take hold after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his spokeswoman Christian Pushaw began referring to the states's now-infamous "Don't Say Gay" bill as an "anti-grooming" bill and to opponents of the legislation as "groomers."
Many of the protesters purchased tickets to the drag event to be inside the venue to harass attendees and performers. Videos also showed protesters chasing people from the drag show and assaulting pro-LGBTQ+ counter-protestors.
On Twitter, the videos left many outraged.
In the first weekend of LGBTQ pride month, far-right media and protesters swarmed around a Dallas gay bar that held a daytime event where drag performers danced for parents and kids https://t.co/GEsOasOS9M
— Benjamin Goggin (@BenjaminGoggin) June 6, 2022
How long will I be in jail if I leave my show to find these protesters on the strip and beat their ass. Asking for a friend
— Arielle Diamond (@arielleddoll) June 5, 2022
Imagine if conservatives got as upset over kids getting massacred in school as they do over a single drag show brunch in Dallas
— Mark Kelly Stan🍦🇺🇸 (@AZPatriot22) June 5, 2022
BTW, that Dallas show? Was very family friendly. Nobody was grinding on anybody, nobody took their top off, nobody did, well, ANYTHING. They're just wearing finely crafted typical drag outfits that cover damn near everything and walked the runway.
The protest had no merit.
— QueenPiB (@Trish_Bogart) June 6, 2022
girl cmon cus these hands are READYYY
— hugo 🖤 (@xanxboyyy) June 5, 2022
When you grow tired of fighting.. you have to continue.. we fight for our most vulnerable.: #LGBTQ+ kids https://t.co/gIsam6ixSh
— 🅰🅸🅳🅴🅽 🏳️🌈 (@GenZisDaFuture) June 6, 2022
@LogCabinGOP @CharlesTMoran @GOP have escalated the hate speech and lies about the LGBTQI community. We must remain peaceful BUT remember they are violent and armed to the teeth. Avoid them and be careful at pride events. Try not to engage with these violent fascists! https://t.co/zSh6740ucz
— CIGAR PIG (@thecigarpig) June 6, 2022
@alexstein99 Hey, Alexa! If you want to "christian storm" gay bars, perhaps it's time people "gay storm" your churches. After all, God welcomes everyone! Right? I assume you're ok with starting a religious war? https://t.co/zc8vC4T0Ha
— wykikilvr35 (@wykikilvr35) June 6, 2022
I'm noticing that the Christian flag is showing up more often in conjunction with more direct threats & aggression lately instead of as background soothing.
— quiet enough (@enough_quiet) June 4, 2022
seems uh really bad that they're just openly calling themselves fascists now
— cheer 🏳️🌈🌻 (@cheer_wine) June 4, 2022
Though police were present at the event, attendees confirmed law enforcement did little to stop the attacks on children and parents. Police declared there were "no problems" in the venue after a welfare check.