Yuengling supports all ages at drag shows.

A Brewing Controversy: Drag Show Age Requirement Changed

A brewing controversy over a drag performance at an upcoming Pennsylvania festival led to a change that would ensure only adults would be allowed at the show.

Yuengling Brewery reportedly faced criticism and calls for a boycott on social media after an advertisement for the drag show mentioned the beer company.

“Need Your drag fix before our iconic Musikfest Drag Show? Well, the queens return to Musikfest Cafe pres. by Yuengling June 30th,” said a now-deleted post, according to LehighValleyNews.com.

The local news outlet said ArtsQuest, a nonprofit organization that manages the Musikfest Cafe and is sponsored by Yuengling, responded with an announcement that it would be raising the age requirement for attendees at “The Draggin’ With The Divas” show in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from 13 to 18.

Yuengling applauded ArtsQuest for changing the age requirement at the drag show set to take place later this month, a move that comes as some GOP-led states have sought to keep minors from attending such performances out of concern about sexually explicit content.

“Yuengling actively promotes responsible drinking for patrons 21 years of age and older,” the company said in a statement. “We are working to align with ArtsQuest regarding appropriate age restrictions for venues associated with our sponsorship. We support their decision to restrict attendance to 18+ for the June 30th show.”

The brouhaha follows another beer brand, Bud Light, facing backlash due to its partnership with self-identified transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney, leading to calls for a boycott against the beer brand and a drop in sales this year. A similar wave of outrage aimed at Target over the retailer’s “Pride Collection” followed suit.

In the case of the “Draggin’ with the Divas” show, Yuengling and ArtsQuest both stressed that ArtsQuest independently plans the policies for events at its venues.

Yuengling, based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, said it “has been a supporter of ArtsQuest for many years, along with over 300 local community supporters. We’re proud to be part of their efforts to revitalize an industrial neighborhood in Bethlehem, PA.”

An ArtsQuest spokesperson said the organization “creates programming that is intended to be inclusive and cross all genres, regardless of beliefs.” The spokesperson also said ArtsQuest “will not tolerate hostile activities that may cause divisiveness toward any individual or group.”

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