LGBTQ-friendly brewery in Ohio closes its doors after a “year of slander and harassment” by conservative group

An LGBTQ-friendly brewery in the Republican state of Ohio has permanently closed its doors after a “year of slander and harassment” on social media by a local conservative group.

Walking Distance Brewing Co in Marysville welcomed patrons for the last time at the end of February 28, more than three years after it opened. Owner Teddy Valinski announced the closure on social media, saying the decision to shutter the bar “didn’t come lightly.”

“We are so thankful for the community that we built together. And we are confident that the community we’ve built with you will continue to have a positive impact in Marysville,” said Valinski in the post. “Thanks for the three whimsical and zany years.”

The brewery, which served lagers, stouts and IPAs, also served as a community meeting point for events such as LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations.

Members of a group calling itself Union County Faith Family Coalition began taking to social media during the summer of 2023 to denounce the brewery’s drag queen shows, hurling unfounded accusations of paedophilia and grooming. Valinski cited posts by Leslie Reams, a coalition member and the wife of city councilman Mark Reams, who called the brewery a “den of depravity.”

“Inviting children to a bar and having drag queens teaching them to dance for cash tips from the drunks is the very definition of grooming,” a post by Reams states. “If you are okay with that kind of behaviour, then you might be a paedophile.”

Valinski wrote that Walking Distance’s sales dipped after Reams’ posts garnered traction on social media.