An Ohio LGBTQ+ youth center that receives taxpayer funding announced a monthly session that teaches children as young as 11 the ‘fundamentals of drag’.
The Colors+ Youth Center in Fairview Park – about 15 miles west of Cleveland – says in its mission statement that its goals are to use ‘holistic mind and body approach and have a safe space to empower LGBTQ+ youth and allies to grow as individuals and within their community’ and welcomes kids from ages 4 to 17.
The center has, in the past year, received grant funding as part of a tax that allows Cuyahoga County Arts & Culture to give stipends to organizations ‘in the local arts and culture sector.’
Colors+ Youth Center – which was in the headlines last year after someone threw a brick at a Black Lives Matter flag in its window and sprayed graffiti – was one of nine new grant recipients in 2022.
It touts that funding in its description of ‘monthly drag tutorials’ which are led by local drag perfomers for kids as young as 11. One photo advertising the event on social media shows a child of unknown age having their make-up done by drag queen, Sassy Sascha, who is seen sporting enormous false eyelashes.
An Ohio LGBTQ+ youth center that receives taxpayer funding announced a monthly session that teaches children the ‘fundamentals of drag’ as part of its series of programs. Pictured: A child of unknown age has their make-up done by drag queen Sassy Sascha at Colors Plus Youth Center in Fairview Park, Ohio
‘Led by a local drag performer who teaches the fundamentals of drag (makeup, costume design, and performance), youth are able to creatively express themselves in a safe, affirming, and age appropriate way. Funded by Cuyahoga Arts and Culture,’ their website states.
Other photos show a group of children practicing their own make-up skills with Sascha and posing with their final results.
Other programs run by Colors+ Youth Center include biannual LGBTQ+-inclusive sexual health classes, a Clothing Affirmation Program (CCAP) that allows kids to ‘try out new modes of self-expression and identity discovery,’ and self-defense classes for parents.
The center was founded by ‘licensed professional mental health counselors’ in an attempt to fill a ‘large gap in services for LGBTQ+ youth’ in the community.
‘Colors+ believes that everyone deserves a place to feel safe and be themselves. This is exactly what we are providing for LGBTQ+ youth and allies. We welcome youth from anywhere in the state to come to our center, or participate in programming virtually.’
The organization touts past ‘collaborations’ with the Better Business Bureau, the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and several local television stations.
The county funding dates back to a 2015 election where voters approved Issue 8, a penny-and-a-half tax to provide revenue for Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
‘Cuyahoga Arts & Culture’s mission is to inspire and strengthen the community by investing in arts and culture. In 2016, we set a new vision and set of values that will, together with our mission, support our efforts for the next ten years,’ the organization says.
It is currently funded through at least January of 2027 and has invested more than $207 million in more than 436 organizations since its 2007 founding.
The Colors+ Youth Center in Fairview Park – about 15 miles west of Cleveland – says in its mission statement that its goals are to use ‘holistic mind and body approach and have a safe space to empower LGBTQ+ youth and allies to grow as individuals and within their community’. Pictured: Kids at the Drag Tutorials session show of the final results of their drag make-up class
The center has, in the past year, received grant funding as part of a tax that allows Cuyahoga County Arts & Culture to give stipends to organizations ‘in the local arts and culture sector.’ Pictured: Drag Queen Sassy Sascha teaches kids how to apply drag make up at the youth center
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture values ‘equity’ in determining how it hands out taxpayer money.
‘We recognize that our society is challenged to overcome a complex web of inequities, and we believe that CAC is responsible for operating with an awareness of legacies of privilege and power that have effects on opportunity, access and resources,’ it claims.
‘This awareness will inform all of our policies and practices, including funding criteria, program development, hiring, and resident engagement.’
Drag programs for young people have sparked outrage nationwide, with many deeming them inappropriate for minors.
A similar ‘Drag 101 for Teens’ program caused controversy when it was held at a county library in Columbus in 2019.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Colors+ for comment. The organization has locked its Twitter feed.
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