By Heather Michon
Correspondent
One week after a threat caused the postponement of a drag queen brunch show scheduled for Lake Monticello’s Bunker Bistro, residents took to the podium at the monthly meeting of LMOA’s Board of Directors to share a single message: Hate has no place at the Lake.
The show was planned as a fundraiser for the JD Dickinson Memorial Foundation, which grants scholarships to Fluvanna students. It sold out shortly after it was announced in early January.
While there was talk of a protest outside the Feb. 22 event, many residents were excited about the event.
That changed on Wednesday, Feb. 19, when a threat of violence caused the Lake Monticello Police Department and Bunker Bistro management to postpone the show for safety reasons and to give law enforcement time for an investigation.
While not an agenda item at Thursday night’s (Feb. 27) Board of Directors meeting, it was on the minds of residents who stood up during the public comments.
“If you don’t like a planned event at the Bistro, just don’t come. It’s that simple. If you plan a legal event that I don’t want to attend, guess what? I won’t!” said Georgianna Joslin.
“Let us have our joy. None of this is hurting you in any way. Everything about this event is helping this community, from providing local scholarships, income to this very building and its employees, income to the entertainers, and joy and entertainment to everyone who purchased a ticket,” she continued. “Hate has no place at the Lake.”
Directors Gary Sellick and Jennifer Richardson both took to the podium as residents to share their personal views.
While the identity of the perpetrator remained unknown, “the vitriolic words coming from certain members of the community helped create an atmosphere that allowed this sort of threat to materialize,” said Sellick.
He noted that the talk within the many social media groups in and around the Lake often pushed beyond the political and cultural differences of opinion and too often turned into dangerous personal attacks.
“Violence must never become the norm at Lake Monticello,” he said.
Richardson said that Lake officials and the event coordinators had worked together and had planned for pushback and protests.
“What I never entertained for a second was a threat of violence, especially at an event where children would be present,” she said. “How could anyone believe that a child coming to physical harm is less awful than being exposed to drag?”
At the end of the meeting, Board president Larry Henson – describing himself as an “old conservative” – repeated his condemnation of the threat.
“Put aside your beliefs. This was just an event for people to come together and have fun. Children were allowed,” he said. “Bottom line, if you don’t want to come, don’t come. But at the same time, don’t show hate to those who did come.”
LMOA spokesperson Marieke Henry said Lake police were working with local, state, and federal law enforcement to find the perpetrator.
A new date for the event has not been announced.
