“Not on our watch!” – Kaleidoscope Youth Center envisions a world where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive

On Saturday, April 29th, 2023, Land-Grant Brewing Company sponsored an annual Drag Brunch benefitting Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC).

Midway through the event, a group of Nazis clad in red and black arrived wearing masks over their faces and sunglasses over their eyes. Additionally, they proudly waved a black and white flag bearing a swastika while chanting racial epithets, homophobic and transphobic slurs and other harmful and discriminatory phrases.

“Our community showed up,” shared KYC Executive Director Erin Upchurch (she/her) in response to the Nazi presence. “Our leadership was prepared for the potential disruption and worked with our security team to promote safety during the event. What we did not and could not prepare for were the powerful ways in which the community would leap into action to wrap their arms around the event itself, while providing actual barriers to block out our uninvited guests.”

Upchurch continued, “We are grateful for the leadership of co-hosts Anisa Love and Virginia West, and that of each and every one of our performers – Devon Ayers, V Master Chad, Boyonce and Holliwood West; all of whom took a non-negotiable stand for what is right, and kept the show moving with powerful performances: Drag is beautiful. Drag is art. Drag is community.”

We’d also like to express gratitude for the KYC safety team, the team at Land-Grant Brewing Company, and the Columbus Division of Police Dialogue Team for having our backs from the very beginning to the end; ensuring the Nazis had sufficiently left town and any additional support needed, was provided. Lastly, we cannot overstate our appreciation for the rapidly increasing amount of donations we’ve recieved, and continue to receive from our community members and allies all across the country.

There’s more to do.

The hatred and bigotry that showed up on Saturday is but a microcosmic example of the hatred, bigotry faced by LGBTQ+ young people every day; in their schools, their homes and very presently at the Ohio State House.

As of this writing there is harmful and blatantly discriminatory legislation circulating in our legislature. The legislation has the intent to ultimately eradicate our community, with a particularly cruel fixation on transgender and non-binary identities.

We need your help. We must protect youth and defeat this hate-filled legislation. Please contact the committees and tell them to reject these harmful bills. Visit kycohio.org/advocacy for more information and advocacy tools.

The vision of KYC is to create a world in which LGBTQ+ young people and their friends can thrive; a society that centers the dignity and humanity of its people; environments filled with abundant affirmation and belonging; and systems so radically transformed that both freedom and liberation for all become a reality.

This is an all hands on deck moment, and we must continue to stand with and for our youth in unapologetic and non-negotiable ways. It is our collective charge to ensure a world in which a thriving adulthood is available to the youth in our communities.

Join us in declaring not on our watch!

And keep showing up, speaking out, and standing in love to remind them that they are not alone, and that an entire village will always have their backs.

In solidarity and community, The Leadership of KYC 🔥