The Smithsonian Institution has eliminated drag shows from its 2024 programming following an internal investigation. The investigation was reportedly sparked by a question from a Republican Congresswoman last year.
Responding to a question from Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) on how drag events further the Smithsonian’s mission during a House Administration Committee hearing on December 12, 2023, Lonnie Bunch, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, suggested it may not be suitable to expose children to drag shows and pledged to look into the matter.
This reportedly sparked an internal “drag audit,” resulting in the elimination of drag performances from the Smithsonian’s 2024 calendar. Smithsonian staff members who wished to remain anonymous have interpreted this as an act of censorship by Bunch and his team.
The Smithsonian has yet to confirm Bunch’s stance on drag events or their inclusion in their future programming. The prospective cancellation of drag performances in June would be a first during Bunch’s five-year tenure as the Smithsonian’s secretary. The Smithsonian hosted at least eight drag performances during Bunch’s time in office, primarily in connection with New York City and Washington, D.C.’s Pride Week. The most recent was held on June 23, 2023, at the Diker Pavilion, a New York City facility of the National Museum of the American Indian.
One drag performer who was planning an event in collaboration with the Smithsonian before its abrupt cancellation was Wyn Wylie, a far-left, anti-white extremist who performs under the moniker ‘Pattie Gonia.’
