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College of the Redwoods has announced it will host the family-friendly "Dragging Through Time" show that had been originally slated to take place at Ferndale's Old Steeple before venue owners canceled the Lost Coast Pride Fundraiser due to safety concerns. The College of the Redwoods Multicultural & Equity Center is organizing the show as part of its Pride celebration in partnership with the CR Queer Student Union and Lost Coast Pride.

Angry Facebook comments and a sign at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Ferndale warning residents to "beware" of the planned event in January led the owners of the Old Steeple to worry for the well-being of their music students  and cancel the event. The cancelation amid a national wave of anti-LGBTQ+ protests and violence led the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to hold a Day of Non-Judgement at Ferndale's town hall last month.


Over the phone with the Journal, CR Communications Director Molly Blakemore said, “The whole campus community is supportive. And everyone is entitled to their opinion but we’re supportive of our students,” as well as the LGBTQ+ community.

In a press release from the college, Interim Assistant Director of Student Equity Irene Gonzalez-Herrera is quoted, saying, "The QSU came to us with the idea, and we thought it was a great fit. ... They had the performers, and we had a welcoming venue."

The announcement also includes a statement from President Keith Flamer, who connects the event to the colleges plans for improving diversity, equity and inclusion. “In my mind,” he says, “as a high-quality higher education institution that has an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion, it’s the right thing to do.”

Read the full press release below:

College of the Redwoods to host “Dragging Through Time” Drag Queen Show and Celebration

The College of the Redwoods Multicultural & Equity Center, in partnership with the CR Queer Student Union (QSU) and Lost Coast Pride, will host a drag queen show on April 29, 2023, in the CR Theater on the main Eureka campus. This family friendly event will feature a pre-celebration with music, food and craft vendors, face painting, and informational tabling. Proceeds from the theater portion of the event will support Lost Coast Pride.

After the unexpected cancellation of their “Roaring ‘20s Drag Event” in January, CR’s QSU, which has been advocating for an event like this for many years, saw it as a perfect opportunity to partner with Lost Coast Pride to bring a similar event to campus. "The QSU came to us with the idea, and we thought it was a great fit," says Irene Gonzalez-Herrera, Interim Assistant Director of Student Equity. "They had the performers, and we had a welcoming venue."

CR’s Administration is also fully onboard with the event and sees it as an opportunity to underscore CR’s commitment to supporting its LGBTQ+ students by providing a safe space for them to express themselves authentically and to connect with others in the CR community. 

Additionally, CR President Dr. Keith Flamer believes it relates to an essential element of the College’s new Education Master Plan, to “increase commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”

 “In my mind,” he says, “as a high-quality higher education institution that has an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion, it’s the right thing to do.”

All students, staff, and faculty from the CR community will be invited to participate. However, to ensure the event remains family-friendly and cohesive, participants will be required to submit song and outfit choices to LCP for approval.

President Flamer concludes by saying, “It is our hope that, by providing support and resources, we can contribute to the larger efforts to advance equality and acceptance for all people on the North Coast.” 

The College of the Redwoods Multicultural & Equity Center is a dynamic and inclusive place that supports all students in their academic and personal journeys at the college. They are committed to retention and student success by offering activities related to leadership development, student connectedness and student equity. They are a student-centered program that fosters respect for all people.

For more information please contact Kintay Johnson, Director, Student Equity & the Multicultural & Equity Center, [email protected],707-476-4560