ABOVE: Anti-LGBTQ, pro-Nazi protestors in Lakeland Dec. 3. Photo courtesy Jason DeShazo.
LAKELAND, Fla. | A group of anti-LGBTQ, pro-Nazi protestors targeted the Rose Dynasty Foundation’s “Celebration of the Arts” fundraiser Dec. 3, an inclusive evening featuring drag entertainment and more.
The Rose Dynasty Foundation, Inc. was formed in 2017 to provide a safe, family-friendly atmosphere for all, raising awareness and funds for other nonprofits and causes nationwide. The organization uses drag and an array of events to show that “everyone is loved, accepted and wanted.”
“Celebration of the Arts” was designed as an extension of that message at ART/ifact, highlighting local artists of all varieties. It promised “a night of performing and visual arts from local artist of all ages” while raising funds for CampOUT, an LGBTQ youth summer camp.
The protestors were “a complete surprise to me,” Rose Dynasty Foundation President Jason DeShazo says. The LGBTQ advocate performs as Momma Ashley Rose, as he has for over two decades.
“We were preparing for the show and as I was finishing up my makeup, I got a phone call from one of our parents whose 8-year-old child was dancing in the show,” he continues. “She was parked down the road because she saw the protestors and didn’t know what to do … and at one point a volunteer came in to say the police were outside and the protesters were Nazis.”
DeShazo was shocked. As a part of the group’s Nazi paraphernalia and messaging, they displayed a banner reading “Drag queens are pedophiles with AIDS.”
“At that point one of the officers came in to speak to me and asked what was going on,” he remembers. He says there were at least 10 officers present who were efficient and respectful, securing exits and escorting attendees in and out of the event.
“They were very present and as an organization, we made sure people were safe,” DeShazo says. “Our people were being yelled at, being screamed at, being called pedophiles; they were filming children and adults walking through. They even projected things on the side of the building saying “Warning: Child grooming in progress.’”
View photos below courtesy of DeShazo, primarily taken from inside of the venue.
The Lakeland Police Department confirmed their presence to The Ledger, a local news source. Spokesperson Robin Tillett told the outlet “the representative from the protesting group advised they were not Lakeland residents and said they were there to protest an event occurring at the location. Officers advised the representative of the rules outlined in the Florida state statutes and municipal ordinances, with which the group complied.”
“When responding to calls involving protestors, our officers are there to ensure the safety and security of those at the event while also ensuring those demonstrating are allowed to protest and exercise their First Amendment rights permitted by law,” Tillett added. “Should an officer witness activities that violate the law, action is taken.”
The Rose Dynasty Foundation also reflected on the event in its official statement.
“As the organizer of the Celebration of the Arts event, a fundraiser for a local charity, we were saddened and alarmed at the presence of Nazis protesting our event,” it reads. “This is an example of how the climate that we are in today has pushed extremists and given them a voice.
“Rose Dynasty Foundation will continue to provide a safe space for all people – it’s just a shame that these are the type of things we have to worry about,” it continues. “You are Loved, Accepted and Wanted! We are not going anywhere!”
Through it all, DeShazo still calls the event a success. He says the foundation has received widespread support and that around 70 people attended, including 10 minors. They raised more than $2,500 for CampOUT.
“This affected a lot of people and we want them all to know that we’re not going anywhere,” he says. “It wasn’t only the LGBTQ community that this traumatized, it was people of color and Jewish people alike. We’re going to do our best to keep everyone safe but we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing – providing a safe space for everyone, one way or another.”
For more information about the Rose Dynasty Foundation and to support the nonprofit’s work, visit RoseDynastyFoundation.org.
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