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An Oregon pub is being accused of being ‘beyond creepy’ by promoting an event where an 11-year-old girl dressed as a drag queen is set to perform on stage during a brunch show.
The October 23 event at Old Nick’s Pub in Eugene will feature 11-year-old drag performer Vanellope Craving (MacPherson Dupont). Vanellope, whose real name is Hannahlyn Engelson, has performed at the pub before.
Engelson’s mother, Sunshine Ray MacPherson – real name Jennifer Hibbs – is also a drag performer.
The pub promoted the event on Facebook with a series of images showing the child plastered in make-up, and was met with furious backlash from other users who have slammed her parents for allowing drag to become her pastime.
Some have gone so far as to question why Child Protective Services are not yet involved.
The pub, however, has doubled down on its defense of the minor performer and accused those condemning the show of ‘sexualizing a child in makeup.’
In the post, the pub wrote: ‘Are you excited for Drag queen story time brunch this Sunday morning!? Well, lets meet our performers! Vanellope is here to show you what a 11 year old drag queen can do.
‘With all the charm and sweetness of a bowl of sugary cereal, Vanellope is here to brighten up your morning with all her drag talent.’
11-year-old drag queen Vanellope Craving MacPherson Dupont is set to perform Sunday at Old Nick’s Pub in Eugene, Oregon. The announcement garnered backlash online
The child drag queen is the daughter of drag performer Sunshine Ray MacPherson, who is active on the Oregon drag circuit
Vanellope has been promoting her drag appearances and relationship with the community for months online
Old Nick’s Pub in Eugene, Oregon, which frequently hosts Drag Queen story hours and queer burlesque shows
The establishment, which describes itself as Eugene’s premiere Victorian Gothic British Pub, has also begun deleting negative comments on the post announcing the performance.
‘It’s very weird how many of you are sexualizing a child in makeup,’ wrote the pub on a post that features several pictures of Vanellope in sparkly eyeshadow, dark lipstick, extensive fake eyelashes and bejeweled costuming.
‘It all boils down to fundamental misogyny,’ added the pub.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, Old Nick’s Pub said they limited comments ‘because many of them were becoming volatile, violent, and disgusting. And Vanellope does not need to see grown adults sexualizing her like that.’
‘Drag is an art form. The idea that it is inherently sexual is a form of bigotry. There are sexualized 21 plus drag shows, yes. But drag is for everyone. This show is all ages,’ the pub explained further.
When asked to elaborate on the idea that it is bigoted to believe drag is inherently sexual, a representative responded:
‘Drag is an art form. It’s traditionally an art form that is a performance of exaggerated femininity. As a society most people see feminine performance as sexual, even when it is not. Nothing Vanellope does is sexual. She wears costumes, lip syncs to her favorite songs, does acrobatic flips, and wears makeup when she wants to. Nothing about that is sexual.’
On Twitter, journalist Andy Ngo shared details of the show. Users met the post with alarm and vilification of the event and the parents of the child drag queen.
‘Child abuse!!!!!’ wrote Dorothy Milton.
‘Unconscionable – this cannot be allowed,’ wrote another user.
‘Pedophilia is alive and well in Oregon,’ wrote Erik Minor followed by a user who added that the event was ‘depravity grooming.’
‘Omg this is so beyond creepy,’ wrote Christina Pushaw, a media strategist for Governor Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis’s Florida administration opened an investigation over the summer into a Miami restaurant that hosts frag brunches after an online video showed a near totally nude dancer incorporating a little girl into the performance.
A state investigation presented the possibility of the restaurant losing its liquor license, which could endanger its business.
‘Having kids involved in this is wrong, that is not consistent with our law and policy in the state of Florida and it is a disturbing trend in our society to try to sexualize these young people. That is not the way you look out for our children. You protect children. You do not expose them to things that are inappropriate,’ the Republican leader said at the time.
Pictured Vanellope McPherson DuPont with mother Sunshine Ray McPherson (left) – also a drag performer. Sunshine was previously Ms. Gay Oregon at the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon
MacPherson said she will continue defending her child, who also has the support of the LGBTQ community
The restaurant ultimately began filtering and deleting negative comments left on the performance announcement
Vanellope and her mother have created a significant online presence for the 11-year-old performer
A poster advertising the pub’s Drag Queen Story Time featuring Vanellope and her parent – Sunshine Ray MacPherson
Censored: Old Nick’s quickly began responding and filtering out negative reactions to the Facebook announcement of Vanellope’s performance
Users blamed misogyny, whiteness and generally being male for feelings of shock, disgust and disapproval among commenters
Public Venmo transactions also suggest that a number of adults have paid or tipped Vanellope for past performances.
One commenter noted that child drag events are a facet of the LGBTQ community that make him altogether less supportive of the ‘movement’ and less enthralled by the idea of being an ally.
Dylan Kyle wrote, ‘I’m not trying to be harsh, or ‘phobic’ (whatever that means anymore) but this whole campaign to indoctrinate children is making me not want to be an ally. I get there’s a difference between gay individuals and ‘the movement ‘ – but it’s really not a good look.’
‘Evil … The parents of this child belong in prison,’ wrote one concerned user.
Public Venmo transactions also suggest that a number of adults have paid and/or tipped Vanellope for past performances
It is unclear who and where the child’s father is. Sunshine Ray MacPherson’s Facebook profile lists her relationship status as ‘divorced.’
Sunshine commented on the restaurant’s post that she will defend her child against those who condemn the over-the-top hair, makeup, and musical performances to which her daughter has supposedly taken a liking.
‘The [sic] are going to have to come through ME her MOTHER and a hord [sic] of Queens and LBGTQ+ [sic] Community she is FIERCELY protected!!!!’ commented MacPherson on the post.
Sunshine has apparently held a number of different positions inside the world of drag.
According to her Facebook profile, she was previously crowned Ms. Gay Oregon at The Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon. She is also the Star Empress at the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Williamette Empire.
‘My favorite part is the coordinated gaslighting response they have prepared,’ wrote one Twitter user in an apparent response to the mitigation tactics being employed by the pub, as well as repeatedly calling it ‘weird’ to sexualize a pre-pubescent child dressed as a grown female performer.
Dailymail.com has reached out to Sunshine MacPherson and Old Nick’s Pub for comment.
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