A hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii, took a strong stand in support of the LGBTQ community by hosting a drag brunch. This event followed a disturbing incident where Beth Bourne, a UC Davis employee and Moms for Liberty official, berated a group of drag queens in the hotel’s lobby.
Beth Bourne’s outburst was captured in a viral video by Marina Del Rey, one of the drag queens involved. In the video, Bourne accused the queens of promoting misogyny and expressed fears about the influence of their presence on her children. Her comments, laden with transphobic rhetoric, sparked outrage online.
The hotel, Alohilani, responded by organizing the brunch to show solidarity with the drag community and to condemn Bourne’s actions. The Honolulu Police Department was called to the scene, and Bourne was removed from the property after receiving a trespass warning.
In a statement, Bourne defended her actions, citing concerns over exposing children to drag performances. However, the incident highlighted the ongoing tensions and prejudices faced by the LGBTQ community, particularly from conservative groups like Moms for Liberty.
Marina Del Rey and her fellow performers were at the hotel to film a video for an upcoming pageant. Despite the confrontation, they remained composed and refused to escalate the situation. Del Rey emphasized the need for respect and understanding, underscoring the importance of visibility and acceptance for the drag community.
The hotel’s proactive response and the supportive turnout for the brunch underscored a broader commitment to inclusivity and equality, standing against hate and discrimination.