Although not originally part of the Cottonwood City Council agenda on March 4, members of the public voiced their concerns about an upcoming drag show to be hosted in Cottonwood at the Cottonwood Community Clubhouse.
The 2025 Arizona Pride Tour, organized by Miss Nature LLC, will perform at the clubhouse on Saturday, March 22. The company advertises its goals as helping to provide a positive image of the LGBTQ+ community while also building bridges to provide resources to underserved communities, with an emphasis on rural areas.
Council voted 4-3 to agendize a discussion on prohibiting those under the age of 18 from attending drag shows in Cottonwood for a future meeting following complaints from members of the public who attempted to block rental of the Cottonwood Community Clubhouse for a drag show in 2023.
Michael Nisito, a resident of the Verde Villages outside Cottonwood city limits, was the first to raise concerns about the event during the call to the public.
While acknowledging the drag show was a private event, he said that “having this as a reflection of our community is insulting.”
Nisito urged the City Council to hold a discussion about prohibiting those under 18 years old from attending the drag show.
According to Miss Nature LLC, minors may attend if accompanied by an adult.
Dr. Paul Hanson also asked for an age limitation. He said Cottonwood should follow the example of states elsewhere in the country banning minors from attending drag shows. Only Montana and Tennessee have such laws. A law in Florida was blocked by a federal judge and a law in Texas was ruled unconstitutional. The Arizona State Legislature passed a similar bill in March 2023, which Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed in June of that year.
Speaking in defense of the drag show was Old Town business owner Jim Ariola, who said that he attended the previous drag show and that “there was nothing sexual about it.” He said that he was called slurs for attending and that members of the Proud Boys had showed up, and added that the anti-drag show activists were bringing “hatred and divisiveness to our community.”
Cathy Ransom recounted that she had also attended the drag show and that none of the people who had complained about the show were at the previous event. She also said that the most they would have seen had they attended were people dressed as Disney princesses.
“Drag is free speech,” Ransom said.
The motion to agendize the item was made by Councilwoman Joy Mosley and seconded by Councilman Stephen DeWillis. Mayor Ann Shaw and Vice Mayor Felicia Coates joined DeWillis and Mosley in supporting the motion, while Councilmen Chris Dowell and Bob Marks and Councilwoman Debbie Wilden voted against it.
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 18.
Miss Nature LLC did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
The 2025 Arizona Pride Tour starts at 7 p.m. at the Cottonwood Community Club House at 805 N. Main St. Tickets are $25.
