On the heels of a vibrant Pride march in Boston Common, the community of Newton, Massachusetts, faced a stark disruption as the New Art Center received a bomb threat Sunday morning. According to NBC Boston, the threat was emailed less than an hour before the scheduled Drag Queen Story Hour, an event that has become a contentious issue for anti-trans groups.
The Executive Director of the New Art Center, Emily O'Neil, reacting to the email stating that the center "will go boom" with bombs allegedly placed on rooftops, immediately alerted the authorities. As reported by NBC Boston, the Newton Police Department and the Fire Department conducted a swift search, concluding that the threat had no substance. They cleared the building for the event to proceed.
The Boston Globe's coverage highlights the sense of urgency and resilience that faculty and attendees exhibited. Despite the atmosphere of fear, about 30 families chose to remain for Storytime with Missy Steak, the drag performer. O'Neil expressed her determination, saying her staff and Missy Steak "felt that we were safe and that we could go on with the event, and I love that."
Missy Steak, the performer at the center of the attention, stayed at a "more secure location" as the authorities swept the building for bombs that was outside, according to The Boston Globe. She told the publication, "There was fear, there was also frustration. It all felt so surreal." Once the building was deemed safe, Missy Steak voiced her determination, "I didn’t want to bow out of the reading hour, especially because some of the families chose to stay," she said. "I trusted that the police were able to make sure it was a safe space."
While this incident marked a first in the New Art Center's 47-year history, it underscores the looming antagonism toward LGBTQ+ inclusive events that has surfaced in recent years. Missy Steak emphasized the resilience within the community, stating to The Boston Globe, "It doesn’t continue to surprise me, because there are people trying to stoke the flame. I do believe we are stronger and they are afraid of that." The ongoing police investigation seeks to uncover the origins of a threat that could not tarnish the spirit of pride and storytelling in Newton.
