Parents protest drag queen performance at public high school – superintendent defends event, counterprotesters gather in support

A group of parents gathered on Thursday and Friday to protest a scheduled drag queen performance to be hosted at Newton North High School, a public high school in Massachusetts.

Parents opposed to the controversial event were met with a crowd of counterprotesters who showed up to support the school's decision to move forward with the performance despite some parents' concerns.

Newton North High School plans to host a drag queen, who goes by the stage name Missy Steak, on Friday. Steak is anticipated to "talk and sing to students at the 30-minute assembly as part of Transgender Bisexual Gay and Lesbian Awareness Day."

The event was organized by students in the Gender Sexuality Alliance club. School officials insisted the performance was vetted by faculty advisers to ensure the content would be age-appropriate for students.

The performer plans to talk to children about kindness, inclusivity, and positivity, WFXT reported. Steak will also perform along to music by Lady Gaga.

While the event is optional, parents opposed to the performance argued that it nevertheless forces their hand.

"If it were up to me, I'd say, 'Don't do this event,'" parent Henry Barbaro told WBTS. "This performance is really forcing the hand of parents to either kind of do this draconian prohibition or say to their kids, 'all right, you can go,' and hope for the best."

In an interview with WBTS, Steak stated, "I am just a person doing a job."

"It's not sexual, it's fun. It's art, it's clownery in the most Shakespearian sense," Steak added. "If you walk away from drag and feel offended, you're allowed to have those feelings, but that's not what the art form is about."

Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith defended the event.

Smith told Fox News Digital, "Students selected this specific performance because drag is a performance art that is often a part of LGBTQ+ events."

"While there are many different types of drag performances, this particular performance is appropriate for the teenage audience," Smith continued. "Like many of the performances in our schools, this performance seeks to deliver an important message — a message of kindness, inclusivity, and positivity — in a way that engages the teen audience."

"We are proud to support our LGBTQ+ students as they build awareness of and celebrate their identities within the context of our larger school community," she added.

On Thursday, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller also voiced support for the drag performance.

"In Newton, we are a committed to better understanding and celebrating our individuality and diversity," Fuller said. "As Mayor, I wholeheartedly and proudly support our LGBTQ+ students as they build awareness of and celebrate their identities. This day and this work are important and necessary to create a welcoming and inclusive school community."

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