Bomb Threat Interrupts Drag Story Hour Event at Arlington Gay Bar

This blog originally appeared at BLADE.

The event at Freddie’s Beach Bar resumed following a thorough search by police and a bomb-sniffing dog. After ensuring the safety of the premises, the event continued without further interruption.

During a Drag Story Hour event at Freddie’s Beach Bar, a popular gay bar and restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, attendees were unexpectedly evacuated due to a bomb threat received via email on April 6. Parents and children participating in the event were ushered into the rear outdoor seating area and parking lot while law enforcement, including a bomb-sniffing dog, conducted a thorough search of the premises. Fortunately, no explosives were found.

Freddie Lutz, the owner of Freddie’s Beach Bar situated in Crystal City, South Arlington, disclosed that the threatening email arrived during the inaugural Drag Story Hour event. This event, where drag performers read children’s stories to accompanied families, had drawn a sizable crowd of neighborhood residents, including kids, babies, and even a grandmother. Despite the disruption, attendees patiently waited until authorities gave the all-clear signal before returning inside.

During the Drag Story Hour event at Freddie’s Beach Bar, two protesters made their presence known outside the venue. Freddie Lutz revealed that prior to the event, drag performer Tara Hoot had warned him about potential disruptions, as some of her previous Drag Story Hour events had faced bomb threats and protests.

“We were somewhat prepared, mentally at least,” Lutz commented. “As anticipated, we received an unsettling email threatening both the bar and me personally at my residence, although thankfully nothing was found there,” he added, referring to his nearby South Arlington home.

Arlington police responded to the bomb threat report, conducting a thorough search of the premises and finding no evidence of criminal activity. The investigation remains ongoing.

Tara Hoot, who has been organizing Drag Story Hour events in the D.C. area for over a year, revealed that several of her past events have encountered hostile protests or bomb threats, with no actual explosives ever discovered. At the Freddie’s event, two protesters, a man and a woman, invoked religious reasons for opposing the Drag Story Hour, spreading messages of intolerance and attempting to shame parents for attending with their children.

Despite such opposition, Hoot’s performances cater to children’s interests with songs, readings from books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” which promotes positive themes like bravery, and engaging activities like blowing bubbles and using rainbow ribbons. She describes the atmosphere as one of fun, love, and joy.

Originating in San Francisco in 2015 under the auspices of an organization named Drag Story Hour, these events have spread nationwide, occurring in various settings including libraries, bookstores, restaurants, and bars. The organization aims to create spaces where children can witness individuals defying conventional gender norms, fostering a vision of a world where everyone can express their true selves freely.