Dear Friends, Families, and Neighbors of Douglas County,

I hope this message finds you well. I am Art, one of the co-chairs and the lead for entertainment at this year’s Douglas County Pridefest on Aug. 26 in Castle Rock. I am writing this open letter to my community to tell you directly about our festival, drag show, and what has been happening in our community in hopes of creating peace, respect, and acceptance in our county.

I want to take this moment to address a topic that has stirred passionate discussions within our county – the perception of drag. Several members of our community have expressed concerns and even protested because they view drag performances through a lens of misunderstanding. They see drag as something sexual, perverted, and evil. They have made horrible and baseless accusations. Our organization is the target of hate filled posts on social media, attempted restrictions on constitutional rights of speech and our parental rights regarding what is best for our children. We have experienced a few elected officials from both Douglas County and the Town of Castle Rock speak untruthfully about us.

Last year, we acknowledged that a mistake was made at the drag performance. We took full responsibility and immediately apologized, because we too, did not see it as family friendly and the type of entertainment we wanted. Within a week of last year’s festival, our planning team instituted improved oversight procedures that include a review of all lyrics, costumes, and performances and the on-stage presence by a board member as an observer to stop anything that may be inappropriate, all to ensure we produce an all ages, family friendly, highly entertaining show.

Drag has been an art form and part of stage performances for centuries. It has always been part of the queer landscape but now it has gone mainstream. Anyone who has experienced a good drag show knows drag queens can be campy and funny and are there to entertain.

We are all on the same page, and in complete agreement, when it comes to protecting children from nudity and inappropriate material. Many of us are parents too and want that for our children as well. While some drag is inappropriate for children, there are plenty of drag performances that are appropriate, just like some movies are appropriate for children and some aren’t. But our LGBTQ children also need to be protected from the bullying and hate they face every day at school, on the bus, or online. From the name calling and violence directed toward them. Protection from being told they are worthless. If your mission is to protect the children, please protect ALL the children. Pride provides them a safe place so they know they are loved and cherished for who they are.

So, to anyone who might be planning to disrupt our festival, we ask that you heed your own words. Please protect the children who will be attending our festival from witnessing the hate, violence, and lies. Show them, while you may disagree, they are still loved and cared for by the entire Douglas County community. If you continue to feel our festival and drag show are inappropriate and not right for your family and children, I respect your right not to attend. I ask you to respect the right of parents to choose what is appropriate for their children and their decision to participate in our festival and entertainment. Protect their children as well and allow them a safe space to be who they are. We want everyone to know we are partnering with the Douglas County Sheriff's department to ensure our festival is a safe and welcoming place.

Let me make this perfectly clear: OUR PRIDEFEST IS… IN ITS ENTIRETY… A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT and WILL comply with all local laws and ordinances… You will have a BLAST because YOU BELONG HERE! You have my word on it.

We are excited to invite each and every one of you to join us at our upcoming PrideFest on Saturday Aug. 26,  at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. For more information and tickets, visit castlerockpride.org

Let's celebrate together and create a legacy of acceptance that future generations can look up to with pride. 

Art Kerkezian is treasurer of the Castle Rock Pride board and Co-Chair of Douglas County Pridefest.