Stewart Perrie
A cafe in Australia has cancelled an event featuring drag queens after it was sent threatening messages.
Meg Anderson, who runs the Alice Rebel’s Cafe and Bar in Melbourne, posted a message on social media informing people of the decision.
"For any of those who were thinking of protesting an event that has been cancelled for over 2 weeks we say we are sorry," Meg wrote on Facebook.
"Our venue is a venue for anyone and everyone. You could be purple, pink, orange or more and we would welcome you with open arms."
Advert
The venue was going to host a 'Colour Me Egg-cited' Easter event.
Drag queens were going to host the event and be in front of children as they would paint eggs, colour-in and play games.
The Age reports messages were being sent about the event on Telegram, where 'members of a fringe community group' discussed 'staking out' the venue and 'making some noise' if the drag queens showed up.
They even reportedly talked about finding where the drag performers live based off their car registration number.
Police paid a visit to the Alice Rebel's Cafe and Bar to see if Meg was able to provide further evidence of the threatening messages.
News Corp reports she had odd phone calls from people and felt compelled to cancel the event.
The venue owner wrote a defiant message on Facebook to all the haters out there.
"As a hospitality business we don’t do politics we do people, human beings and believe that everyone has a right to be treated with respect, considered equal and know that when they walk through our doors it is into a safe space that includes creating a space where alternative forms of entertainment that cater to different parts of our community are offered," she said on the venue's Facebook page.
"We respect that these might not be for everyone but we ask that you respect all our customers and staff members fundamental right to be be treated with respect please leave the world at the door."
Premier Daniel Andrews has slammed people for looking at an event like this in a negative way.
”I think it’s pretty sad day when the worst of American politics is creeping into our state,” he said.
“We don’t need that here, we just don’t. We are a harmonious, respectful, inclusive place where being different [is] not a bad thing.”
Loads of people have flocked to social media to defend Alice Rebel’s Cafe and Bar for wanting to put on a fun event for kids.