A fundraiser for Hospiscare has become embroiled in a social media dispute after its organisers reported receiving a barrage of negative comments about drag performers appearing at the charity event.
The Ladies Night Out fundraiser, due to take place in Sidmouth later this month, will raise money for hospice care services and feature drag artists Roberta Calamari and Ginnie DaFuq among its entertainment line-up. Organisers say the reaction to the event highlights continuing hostility towards drag performers despite the charitable nature of the evening.
One of the organisers, Dom Boull, said he was shocked by the reaction after sharing details of the event in several local Facebook groups. In a video posted online, Boull said he woke up to a “ridiculous amount” of negative comments after promoting the fundraiser.
“This morning I woke up to a ridiculous amount of hate comments on this post about this charity ladies’ night that we’re doing,” he said.
“I’ll just highlight the word charity there. It’s for charity, for hospice care. We’re raising money for hospice care.”
According to Boull, some of the comments criticised men dressing in women’s clothing, described drag performers as “unnatural” and questioned what would happen if children encountered them.
He responded by pointing out that the event is strictly for adults.
“It’s not a children’s event. Children aren’t welcome,” he said.
“If it doesn’t affect you, don’t comment. Back off. There’s no need to sit behind a keyboard and comment hate after hate and rile people up.”
The fundraiser is scheduled to run from 7.30pm - midnight and aims to raise money for Hospiscare, which provides specialist end-of-life care across Devon. Organisers later stressed on social media that they had independently chosen the charity as the beneficiary.
The event poster advertises a range of attractions including a prosecco draw, tombola, cash prize draw and sweet bags, with tickets priced at £22 including a complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival.
Boull said one of the Facebook groups later restricted the post and removed several comments. While he was uncertain whether that was the right approach, he said it helped curb some of the hostility. “Was it the right thing to do? I don’t know,” he said.
“It kind of was, kind of wasn’t in a way. It’s kind of restricting freedom of speech, but it got rid of a load of riffraff that was on there.”
He also made clear that people who objected to the event were under no obligation to attend.
“If you are the kind of person that is jumping onto a post to comment nothing but hate and horrible, nasty comments about people’s livelihoods and what people choose to do with their lives, you are not wanted at these nights anyway,” he said.
Ending his video, Boull called for greater kindness online and expressed disappointment at the reaction. “I really thought Sidmouth was better than this,” he said.
Despite the controversy, organisers say they have also received messages of support and are pressing ahead with the fundraiser. In a subsequent post, they thanked supporters and encouraged people to book tickets while places remain available.
The event will take place on Friday, 25 September at Fizz & Feast in Sidmouth, with proceeds going towards Hospiscare’s work supporting patients and families across the region.
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