The Fairview, Ohio Colors+ Youth Center, an organization funded by Ohio taxpayers, has come under scrutiny for sponsoring a tutorial program aimed at teaching children how to become drag queens. According to the group’s website, the center collaborates with Drag Queen Story Hour Cleveland to host monthly events, including a “drag performer reading” where a drag queen reads an age-appropriate book with positive LGBTQ+ themes to youth. The center also offers monthly drag tutorials taught by local drag performers to teach children the fundamentals of drag.
The center has received funding from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, a taxpayer-funded organization that supports arts and culture initiatives. Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, which is one of the largest local public funders for arts and culture in the nation, allocates taxpayer dollars to various organizations, including the Fairview Colors+ Youth Center.
Critics argue that taxpayer dollars should not be used to support initiatives they believe promote a radical agenda and expose children to what they consider inappropriate content. This is not the first time such programs have faced backlash in Ohio, as a “Drag 101” class for teens was offered by the Delaware County District Library in 2019.