PITTSBURGH — An LGBTQ+ club was forced to cancel a long-running event after receiving threats following a controversial performance.
In a post shared on Facebook on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Blue Moon Bar on Butler Street in Lawrenceville said the Open Stage event was canceled for the night.
Management said the bar was receiving “too many death threats for us to feel comfortable putting on the show this evening.”
This comes after a photo of a drag performer wearing apparent blackface at the club circulated online and created outrage online.
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The post continues, saying in part:
“We’ve always tried to maintain a safe and welcoming space for our community and have trusted our performers to share their artistic visions without needing to be policed or censored. One performance last week violated this trust, resulting in threats of violence against the bar. Our responsibility, as always, is to our staff and patrons.”
Open Stage has been held at Blue Moon for 14 years. Club management said they hope to hold the event again next week. An apology was issued on Tuesday.
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