CHESTERLAND, Ohio — A business and church in Geauga County are receiving threats ahead of a drag brunch and drag queen story hour set for this weekend.
It's not the first time Reverend Jess Peacock and the Community Church of Chesterland UCC have gotten hate, even threats for their support of LGBTQ plus people and rights.
"It took a major turn this past weekend," Peacock said.
A threat was carried out on church property. All in the midst of the church getting ready to host a drag queen story hour this Saturday.
"I pulled into the parking lot and I saw burn marks up the side of our church," Peacock said.
The story hour is in partnership with a drag brunch happening at Chardon restaurant Element 41, whose owners have also received threats but remain determined to go on as scheduled.
"To shut this down, what message to we send to people who are eager for this, who want this, who desire this in this county? Another reason is people, whether or not they like it, there's queer people in Geauga County," Peacock said.
With news that the alt-right extremist group Proud Boys is planning to protest the event, coordinators like Mallory McMaster are thankful for all the support they've received, and has this message for safety:
"We want everybody to stay home unless they're coming to our event with a ticket or brunch. If you'd like to support us, we are raising money to pay for security," McMaster said.
She believes a strong message will be sent to hate groups this weekend.
"Unfortunately they are going to come here because they think Geauga County is a place where they will be welcome, but they're wrong," McMaster said.