MMA Coach Offers Assistance After Threats Shut Down WV Drag Brunch

A canceled drag show in West Virginia left a community outraged — including an MMA coach who stepped up to offer himself and his fighters as security for future events.

S&S Productions had put together a drag brunch at Primanti Bros in The Highlands for the end of February, but announced the event’s cancelation over safety concerns.

“Unfortunately due to the amount of threats towards Primantis, the entertainers, & sometimes even patrons, we’ve decided for the safety of everyone involved to cancel the event,” they wrote on Facebook, adding that they were only two seats shy of a sold out show at the time.

This is unfortunately becoming a familiar situation for drag performers, particularly in the United States. Whether they are performing at a brunch, attending Pride, or reading books, rightwingers are coming out of the woodwork to turn harmless fun into something dangerous. And the threats only seem to be escalating, sometimes leaving the groups behind these events with little choice but to cancel.

In this instance, there was an outpouring of support on the company’s Facebook page, with many in the area expressing their frustration with people who think “glitter and wigs [are] more problematic than wishing death upon those who partake.”

Among them was Johnny Haught, the owner and head instructor of Ohio Valley MMA, who made his feelings on snowflakes threatening drag queens and patrons very clear.

“I volunteer me and a couple of my fighters to work security if Primanti Bros. decides to reschedule their drag brunch,” he wrote, sharing the story on his own Facebook page. “I’m sure we can make sure the event stays safe.”

His post was flooded with others offering their services as well, and while it doesn’t seem like they’ve been taken up on their generosity just yet, it reminded people that the haters might be loud, but there are always people willing to stand up, too.

Haught also encouraged others to do the same, telling Pink News that allies need to “step up” and “let these hateful loud mouths know that they are not the majority and we won’t be silent about the hate anymore.”

“The drag show is no more offensive than a Broadway show, or a stand up comedy show,” he said, per WTRF. “In essence, it’s a mix of both. At the end of the day, it is entertainment. Not part of some hidden agenda, like some would have you believe.”