A North Battleford arts centre is running a drag queen bingo fundraiser and claims they're being harassed with “hateful and discriminatory” calls and messages.. Territorial Drive Alliance Church .Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts General Manager Kali Weber is blaming a local church for the harassment.."They would call it vulgar, sexual, and talk about what having this one event would do to our community, saying, 'Would there be more drag events in the community? And when would it stop?’" Weber told the CBC.."Our staff was quite upset and angry. Trying to remain professional in that environment is really difficult … especially when your own belief system doesn't align with what they're telling you.”.READ MORE IS IT SCIENCE? Sask Science Centre’s hosting a drag queen Valentine’s Day Party.Weber said the messages started after a Territorial Drive Alliance Church sermon on January 22, where Rev. Keith Klippenstein told the congregation that at least two church members contacted him and asked how the church would respond to the drag queen fundraiser.."If you feel led by God to phone up the Dekker Centre do that,” Klippenstein told the congregation in a YouTube video..“But make sure your speech is seasoned with salt and that whoever answers the phone and hears what you say in regards to this event and your concern about it. That they have been talking with a Christ follower.”.The drag queen bingo organizer Daniel Wasyliw said the event is raising money for the Canadian Mental Health Association and it is hurtful to have people demeaning the event.."It's just so sad to see a community … a really small community … have so much hate towards an event that is bettering their community," Wasyliw told the CBC..READ MORE DRAG 'EM OUT FIGHT: Scuffle outside drag queen story time at Sask children’s museum.Ryan Young is performing for the fundraiser and had the same reaction as Wasyliw.."I think for one group to sort of come out of the shadows and seem to attack for no reason is very surprising," Young told the CBC.."I'm very hurt by it.”.In a statement, the City of North Battleford said it is part of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, which mandates cities to promote social inclusion and human rights.."The city welcomes all community events, programming, and initiatives that support and espouse these values in a respectful and inclusive manner,” said the statement..Young said that education is how to change people’s attitudes toward drag queens.."Just because someone's uneducated doesn't mean that they can't be educated," said Young. ."If we can get them in a welcoming environment and not point fingers at them or be bullies like they're being to us and actually include them ... maybe things would be a whole lot different."
