Many Downers Grove community members showed up at the Sept. 28 Downers Grove Public Library Board of Trustees meeting to either voice their dissent or support for the canceled Drag Queen Bingo event. The wide range of opinions voiced during the public comments section seemed to be equally split between criticism and support.

Among those who showed up to speak in favor of the Drag Queen Bingo event was sophomore Natalie Murphy. Murphy was originally signed up to go to the event, and said she knew from the get-go that she wanted to spread the word about the cancelation of the event.

“As I sit here and listen today to the remarks made in a room of primarily adults, I can not help but feel a deep anger and sadness on behalf of my friends, both straight, and identifying as LGBTQIA+. I say this as a privileged, white, straight girl who has been fortunate enough to have parents who have provided me with the opportunity to develop my own persona without the influence of theirs… It is important to have empathy and to have respect for others, regardless of stance, regardless of religion, race or sexual orientation,” Murphy said.

The Board of Trustees instated a five minute limit for comments, which one community member did not abide by. This community member was offering critical comments towards the board regarding LGBTQ books and programs offered at the library, and continued to speak after his time was finished.

The crowd chanted and made noise in any way they could to drown out the speaker. President of the Board Swapna Gigani made an effort to regain control of the room by banging her gavel, but eventually called for a five minute recess. The electrical cord for the microphone was eventually unplugged.

Shannon Adcock, founder and president of Awake Illinois, a conservative political group based in Naperville was also present at the meeting to condemn the library for the Drag Queen Bingo event.

“Please don’t weaponize the word inclusivity to push inappropriate programming… There is a vast community of common sense citizens who stand against the exploitation of children. Awake Illinois is proud to be part of it,” Adcock said.

Another protester of the event told the board members to “repent and come to Jesus Christ.”

One resident of Downers Grove who spoke in support of the library’s efforts has a son who identifies as transgender.

“Even though I disagree with how I believe you are grooming your children to be fearful, intolerant, spiteful adults, I am not making threats against you; I am not spewing hateful remarks to you… What I am asking those of you here who are opposed to these types of events being held in our library is to please just let us choose what we think is best for our children and you can choose what you think is best for yours. If my child is trans, and is searching for a community of teenagers who can help him feel connected, welcome and safe in this world, then allow me to give that to him,” the resident said.

A couple days after the Board of Trustees meeting, Murphy reflected on her perspective of the meeting, and those who showed up to speak.

“I was shocked at how far people took it. The extent at which people decided to voice their opinions was not in a matter that was voicing their opinions, but rather, forcing rhetoric. I did not appreciate some of the language used, or the way people were tying things in; it didn’t feel appropriate to me,” Murphy said.