This Is Texas Freedom Force to protest drag show at San Antonio's Aztec Theatre; SAPD stands ready

A right-wing militia group intends to protest a Christmas-themed drag show at the Aztec Theatre on Tuesday. This Is Texas Freedom Force, described as an “extremist militia” by the FBI and that shows up to events armed, plans to protest “A Drag Queen Christmas,” according to the group’s social media. San Antonio’s LBGTQ community is organizing a counter protest, according to the San Antonio Report. Sgt. Washington Moscoso, a spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department, said in a statement that they are aware of the protests and are preparing. “We are performing threat assessments to prepare appropriately,” Moscoso said. “We want to assure the public, and specifically the LBGTQ+ community, that we are committed to honoring our unwavering commitment to public safety while protecting everyone’s constitutionally protected rights to free speech.”

Texas drag shows have become a right-wing target in recent years. Far-right groups have labeled drag performers as “groomers,” insinuating LBGTQ individuals are pedophiles. The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, an LBGTQ advocacy organization, has identified 124 protests and threats targeting drag events. Just over the last few months in Texas, drag shows have been canceled or have faced protests in Galveston, Houston, Roanoke, Katy and Pflugerville. Last week, the owners of Starlighter, a live-music venue in San Antonio’s Deco District, canceled drag shows for the rest of the month after they were hit with a barrage of online threats and bullying. It’s unclear whether the “A Drag Queen Christmas” show has received threats. Detroit-based show organizers Murray & Peter did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This Is Texas Freedom Force, whose members have appeared openly armed around the Alamo to protest changes at the site, called the all-age drag performance “child abuse” in a series of tweets. In other social media posts, the group included images of armed men silhouetted in black. While Ticketmaster and the show’s flyers say that there is no age limit for the show, the promotional material does not include language indicating that it is marketed to children. The show at the Aztec begins at 8 p.m.