"These smaller towns, they are more family-oriented, I think. They just have really strong Christian values, and it's not in keeping with those values." That's what one Eagle Grove resident, Gail Higgins, said when KCCI reporter Andrew Mollenbeck asked her opinion after a drag queen show that had been planned for Nov. 13th was blocked by city ordinance.
Behind the prohibition of the event was Chapter 124 of Eagle Grove's municipal code, which regulates adult oriented businesses. In a letter citing the chapter sent to event organizer, local entreprenuer Martha Kaiser, City Attorney Brett Legevold pointed out that the chapter specifies, "prohibited adult amusement or entertainment includes an amusement or entertainment characterized by an emphasis on sex acts or specified anatomical areas such as those depicting, describing or relating to sex acts or specified anatomical areas (i.e., female impersonators, strippers, or similar entertainment) within 1,000 feet of other businesses." A review of the code by the Eagle confirmed the accuracy of this assessment. .
But the city's action appears to have been spurred by more than strict enforcement of the city code, or simply an adverse reaction to female impersonators, even if the code does specifically classify cross dressers as adult entertainment by default. As revealed in a supplemental statement provided by Legevold to KCCI, which stated that "video from a prior show depicted patrons receiving lap dances. The ordinance at issue is intended to regulate entertainment of such nature — whether performed by a man or woman of any sexual or gender identity or preference — by mandating that it occur in certain areas of town." .
The letter sent to Kaiser, a copy of which was reviewed by the Eagle, specified that video reviewed included, "video from advertisements and a prior show," filmed at the October performance at Doña Martha's Office, at 314 W. Broadway St., which opened just over five months ago.
But Kaiser, the tavern's owner, disputed that characterization. "The drag queen show — it's so magnificent, so unique, and I haven't seen that here before," Kaiser told KCCI. Adding that "I've seen bands, and the musicians, but the drag queen show just brings a different ethnicity, a different concept." The video in question, which was shown to the Eagle by Mayor Sandy McGrath, does show suggestive grinding by a fully clothed performer on a fully clothed patron. .
A now deleted video posted to Facebook by drag performer Tony Sivanthaphanith, in which Eagle Grove Mayor Sandy McGrath was recorded conversing with an as yet unidentified female supporter of the drag show about the city's decision on speakerphone, highlights key aspects of the controversial topic at issue. "It looks extremely homophobic," the woman said of the city's code, suggesting it should be reviewed. "It might be antiquated, if it discusses dress only," the Mayor replied, "it's murky." However, pressed on the issue, McGrath also made clear, "I saw a video. That was adult entertainment." Adding that her conclusion "had nothing to do with the dress. It had to do with the show." In response to which the woman in the video responded, "I don't think though that it's really fair to say all drag shows are going to include that," pointing out that event organizers could specify to performers what is, and isn't, legal by city ordinance. The call ended with the Mayor thanking the caller for her feedback.
"I understand that people are not used to certain things," Kaiser told KCCI. "And it's OK because you might not accept it at first, but I'm the person letting you know, give it a chance. Try it out. It's not that bad."
Reached for comment by the Eagle, Kaiser elaborated."They're not taking their clothes off. They're not strippers. They sing songs. They're lovely. I don't want to see them hurt or misunderstood. They're professionals."
Kaiser also remarked that she and her husband Fred want to bring change to Eagle Grove. To give the city more options for entertainment. The city needs "a different kind of entertainment," Mrs. Kaiser said, "not just sitting around and getting drunk." And that includes family entertainment, Kaiser pointed out, which is why they've reopened the bowling alley. "If people would concentrate on the entertainment we're bringing to this town and not on whatever they imagine a single event, a drag show, is… we'd all be better off," she said.
As for the drag performers, Kaiser showed concern for them. "They come all the way from Des Moines to a little bitty town like Eagle Grove, to bring diversity and entertainment, and this is what we do to them? They [the city] hurt a lot of people with their actions."
Asked by the Eagle whether she thinks the city council should reconsider the code's prohibition on crossdressing performers Kaiser responded, "absolutely! This is 2021 going into 2022. We need to be more accepting of other people."
Asked the same question, Eagle Grove Mayor Sandy McGrath told the Eagle, "is it [the code] something that could be more sensitive? Perhaps. Because it is not intended to call out a manner of dress. The intent is to regulate the content of the show. It's a zoning issue. It's not what, it's where."
Later, at Monday's City Council meeting, McGrath and the members of the council echoed that sentiment. Appearing broadly open to updating the wording of the city code regarding general cross dressing, but firm on the idea that the downtown area is not, and should not be, zoned for adult entertainment.
