Outrage erupts on Facebook after bar promotes drag event with ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD performer
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An Oregon pub is accused of being “beyond creepy” by promoting an event where an 11-year-old girl dressed as a drag queen will perform onstage at a brunch show.
On October 23 at Old Nick’s Pub in Eugene, 11-year-old drag artist Vanellope Craving (MacPherson Dupont) will perform. 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 artist.
The pub promoted the event on Facebook with a series of images showing the child wearing makeup, and received outrage from other users who criticized her parents for making dragging her pastime.
Some have even gone so far as to wonder why Child Protective Services isn’t involved yet.
However, the pub has doubled on her defense of the underage performer, accusing those condemning the show of “sexualizing a child in makeup.”
In the post, the pub wrote: ‘Fancy the Drag queen story time brunch this Sunday morning!? Let’s meet our artists! Vanellope is here to show you what an 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 will perform Sunday at Old Nick’s Pub in Eugene, Oregon. The announcement garnered online reactions
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 performances and relationship with the community online for months
Old Nick’s Pub in Eugene, Oregon, hosts regular Drag Queen stories and bizarre burlesque shows
The establishment, which describes itself as Eugene’s premiere Victorian Gothic British Pub, has also started removing negative comments on the post announcing the performance.
“It’s really weird how many of you are sexualizing a kid in makeup,” the pub wrote in a post featuring several photos of Vanellope in sparkly eyeshadow, dark lipstick, elaborate fake eyelashes and bejeweled suits.
“It all comes down to basic misogyny,” the pub added.
on Twitter, journalist Andy Ngo shared details of the show. Users met the post with alarm and defamation of the event and the parents of the child drag queen.
‘Child abuse!!!!!’ wrote Dorothy Milton.
“Unreasonable – this is not 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 care”.
‘Omg this is so beyond creepy,’ wrote Christina Pushaw, a media strategist for Governor Ron DeSantis.
The DeSantis government in Florida opened an investigation over the summer into a Miami restaurant hosting frag brunches after an online video showed a nearly completely naked dancer incorporating a little girl into the performance.
A state investigation found that the restaurant could lose its liquor license, jeopardizing its operations.
“Involving children is wrong, it is against 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’s not how you take care of our children. You protect children. You don’t expose them to things that are inappropriate,” the Republican leader said at the time.
Pictured is Vanellope McPherson DuPont with mother Sunshine Ray McPherson (left) – also a drag artist. Sunshine was previously Mrs Gay Oregon at the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon
MacPherson said she will continue to defend her child, who also has the support of the LGBTQ community
The restaurant eventually began filtering and removing negative comments about the performance announcement
Vanellope and her mother have created a significant online presence for the 11-year-old artist
A poster advertising the pub’s Drag Queen Story Time featuring Vanellope and her parent – Sunshine Ray MacPherson
Censored: Old Nick’s began responding quickly and filtering out negative reactions to the Facebook announcement of Vanellope’s performance
Users blamed misogyny, whiteness and generally masculinity for feelings of shock, disgust and disapproval among commentators
Venmo public trades also suggest that a number of adults paid or tipped Vanellope for past performances.
One commentator noted that children’s drag events are a facet of the LGBTQ community, making him less supportive of the “movement” overall and less enthralled with the idea of being an ally.
Dylan Kylea wrote“I’m not trying to be harsh or ‘phobic’ (whatever that means), but this whole campaign to indoctrinate kids makes me not want to be an ally. I understand there is a difference between gay individuals and ‘the movement’ – but it doesn’t look very good.”
“Evil… This kid’s parents belong in jail,” wrote one concerned user.
Venmo public transactions also suggest some adults have paid and/or tipped Vanellope for past performances
It is unclear who and where the father of the child is. Sunshine Ray MacPherson’s Facebook profile lists her relationship status as “divorced.”
Sunshine noted on the restaurant’s post that she will defend her child against those who condemn the over-the-top hair, makeup, and musical performances her daughter supposedly liked.
‘The [sic] will have to come through ME, her MOTHER and a horde [sic] from Queens and LBGTQ+ [sic] Community she is SAFE protected!!!!’ MacPherson commented on the post.
Sunshine has apparently held a number of different roles in the world of drag.
According to her Facebook profile, she was previously crowned Mrs. Gay Oregon in The Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon. She is also the Star Empress to the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Williamette Empire.
‘My favorite part is the coordinated gaslighting response they prepared’ wrote one Twitter user in a clear response to the softening tactics used by the pub, also repeatedly calling it “weird” to sexualize a prepubescent child dressed as an adult female performer.
Dailymail.com has reached out to Sunshine MacPherson and Old Nick’s Pub for comment.