A drag queen story time event was canceled last week due to "severe threats," according to organizers. However, no one felt threatened enough to call the police, according to the Mobile Police Department.
The event was initially planned at Oyster City Brewing with TikTok influencer Ophelia “Mama Tot” Nichols hosting. Children were invited to the brewery to hear a reading of “Finding My Rainbow” by Alabamian Josh Coleman. The book tells the story of a young boy growing up and questioning his sexuality.
SEE ALSO: ‘Mama Tot’ cancels drag queen story hour appearance following push-back
After Nichols abruptly pulled out of the event, Coleman claimed Nichols made the move due to threats to herself and her family.
“Due to the severe personal threats to Mama Tot and her family, she will not be able to join us on Friday,” Coleman posted. “We understand and support her decision to prioritize her safety and well-being.”
The same day, Oyster City Mobile announced it would cancel the event after the business received threats.
“Multiple hateful and threatening comments on social media are being taken seriously by management in the interests of our staff and customers’ safety,” Oyster City posted on Facebook. “Oyster City does not abide hate. We make beer for those who enjoy it, over the age of 21, regardless of gender, race, or orientation.”
Despite the claims, a drag queen bartender who said he was a manager told customers the event was actually canceled because so many people backed out of attending. Still, the manager said the comments on social media were “traumatic,” and there was fear of people doing burnouts in the parking lot.
“The only ones [threats] that I saw, that they showed me were like, they might come and do like burnout donuts or whatever in the like the parking lot, just to like scare whoever,” he said.
“ … I think it was more that they were willing to come and like, make it extremely uncomfortable for everybody to the point that like, nobody wanted to show up,” he continued.
The manager also told customers that while Coleman claimed the threats were coming from a member of the “Proud Boys,” no one from a specific group contacted the event organizers.
The event was moved to Books-A-Million but was quickly canceled for a second time, also due to alleged threats.
The Advocate, an LGBTQ news website, reported that “right-wing extremists” forced the cancellation of the event. LGBTQ Nation also reported that Coleman called those against the event "extremists" and said the backlash only strengthens their resolve.
Coleman continued to post on social media about “threats," called the threats "attacks," and said they had gone too far. Still, no example of threats was given.
“Due to escalating threats, our Mobile event is postponed,” Coleman said. “We will not be silenced by hate. Our voices are vital, and our stories deserve to be heard.”
1819 News contacted the Mobile Police Department, which confirmed that no one from Oyster City Mobile or Books-A-Million made reports or complaints of threats.
The manager at Oyster City Mobile said some people in the LGBTQ community have turned against the brewery, saying they are no longer allies because they canceled the event.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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