Coterie Lounge & Café in West Chester says it will move forward with a family-friendly drag queen story hour on Thursday morning, sticking to its plans despite a flurry of online complaints accusing the event of improper intent. The program is part of the cafe’s regular “Mama Needs Coffee” series for families with young children. Owner Ghiovanna Lora says she has added extra safety precautions and that, alongside the criticism, a large portion of the community has rallied in support.
Owner says event will proceed
Lora told FOX19 the backlash took her by surprise and left her feeling "a little nervous," but she remains determined to host a family-friendly reading hour. The program, featuring Hamilton-area performer Roxie D. Mocracy for a 9 to 11 a.m. session, is listed on Eventbrite as part of Coterie’s Thursday lineup. Lora told FOX19 that tickets sold out and that she plans to notify police ahead of time as a safety measure.
Who pushed back
The initial backlash started with a Facebook post from Darbi Boddy, founder of a group called Access Ohio, who linked the story hour to sexual wrongdoing and urged people to oppose it. The Buckeye Flame reports that Boddy labeled the event a "breeding ground for potential pedophiles" and shared her warning across local groups. That same report notes Boddy’s controversial stint on a local school board, context that has helped the story spread across social media.
Cafe pushes back
Coterie responded with a statement on its website, saying "there is no connection between drag performers and pedophilia" and calling the accusation "false, harmful, and rooted in misinformation." Coterie Lounge & Cafe said the story hour is about joy, imagination and creating a welcoming space for families. The statement invited supporters to come out in person and urged customers to back local small businesses instead of amplifying fear.
Local reaction and next steps
Rather than derailing the event, the online controversy appears to have fueled a surge of support. The Buckeye Flame reports that Coterie saw a spike in sales the day after Boddy’s post and added a second story hour to keep up with demand. That counter-response has shown up in social media comments and in calls to the cafe, and staff say they are spending this week focused on logistics and safety. For now, Lora says she is simply hoping for a calm day where families can enjoy a morning of stories and community.
