(Texas Scorecard) \u2013 The Typhoon Texas Waterpark in Katy has rescinded its approval to host an annual LGBT event featuring drag performers following community backlash.<\/p>\n
The Katy Pride Celebration kickoff event, slated to start at 6:30 p.m. tonight, was advertised as being open to ages 18-plus. According to a\u00a0Katy Times\u00a0report<\/a>\u00a0last week, the event promised \u201can evening of entertainment, cocktails, and community connection in an intimate setting,\u201d while also accepting donations for a \u201cBanned Book Library\u201d in exchange for a complimentary drink.<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s main event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m was set to launch with a parade around the park followed by entertainment, including a DJ, a drag queen, a drag king, a closet runway show, and a Kids Zone featuring \u201cactivities for families and children which will include inflatables, yard games, crafts, and more.\u201d<\/p>\n Organizers also promoted a panel discussion hosted by Meghan Fairbanks, who runs the Trans Truth Podcast, and a \u201cPride Story Time\u201d performance led by the drag queen and king.<\/p>\n The drag queen, called Serena Spellman, uses an Instagram\u00a0handle<\/a>\u00a0containing profane language. Spellman\u2019s bio includes the same language along with \u201c8647,\u201d a reference to the assassination\u2014or possibly impeachment\u2014of President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n The drag king Kian Kismet\u2019s bio lists he\/him pronouns. The corresponding\u00a0Instagram account<\/a>\u00a0is filled with sexualized content, including one photo in which Kismet wears a plush, anthropomorphic male-genital toy around the crotch.<\/p>\n While the celebration was originally set to be held at Typhoon Texas, event organizers announced Wednesday night that the venue had abruptly canceled.<\/p>\n In an email posted to their\u00a0website<\/a>, organizers said they were \u201cdeeply disappointed to announce the abrupt cancellation of their scheduled event\u2014originally planned and contracted over a year ago. Despite a signed agreement in April and extensive preparation, the venue, Typhoon Texas Waterpark in Katy, cancelled the event less than 72 hours before its scheduled date, citing unspecified \u2018security concerns.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Katy Pride added that \u201cno credible threats were made against the event.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead, those concerns appear to have stemmed largely from\u00a0public backlash<\/a>\u2014specifically, calls from local residents, current and former Katy ISD school board members, and one lawful, peaceful protest planned for Saturday. Residents urged the waterpark to cancel the event, describing it as \u201cnot family-friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s kickoff event has been\u00a0moved<\/a>\u00a0to First Christian Church Katy. Katy Pride says it plans to announce the new location for Saturday\u2019s main event soon.<\/p>\n First Christian Church<\/a>\u00a0has been openly \u201caccepting and affirming<\/a>\u201d LGBT ideologies since 2006. The\u00a0church\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0\u201cTransparent Closet\u201d is a secret cross-dressing boutique featuring chest binders, fake genitalia, and a selection of clothes and undergarments of the opposite sex for children to choose from.<\/p>\n This is not the first time the church has hosted a drag event, having previously\u00a0hosted<\/a>\u00a0a \u201cdrag bingo.\u201d<\/p>\n