LACROSSE, Wis. – A handful of protesters waved homemade posters across the street from a downtown drag show on a miserably cold, drizzly evening. There were a few counter-protesters too but no confrontations. At issue was the Bronze Dragon, a non-alcohol cabare celebrating Valentine’s with a grand opening. The protest was not entirely coherent, although a there was a moralistic thrust and a “Protect the Children” theme. One poster read: “Jesus No Peace: Jesus Knows Peace,” whatever that meant. One protester. Larry Schneider of LaCrosse, was asked by a WKBT interviewer whether he had ever been to a drag show. His response: “That’s not really relevant.”
Bronze Dragon. Yes, the stuffed head spits fire. The booze-free cabaret is at 200 Main Street just off the Third Street bar strip.
Verbatim
Caitlyn Konze, cabaret owner: “It’s an all-ages show, which means it’s PG, so costumes are modest, and the content of the songs is not explicit. Parents can make their decision on bringing their children.” No ne under under 18 attended opening night, she said. “I have a big heart for people that are marginalized, that society has labeled as weird. I get that from Jesus. That’s what this bar is all about.”