Bucks’ Halftime Drag Show Sparks Debate On Social Media
On Wednesday at Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks participated in Pride Night to honour the LGBTQIA+ community. The halftime performance featured drag artists.
Bucks’ Halftime Drag Show Sparks Debate On Social Media
Fans who planned to attend the game could buy a ticket package that included a “Bucks Pride” scarf and beanie to wear as a sign of support for the LGBTQ+ community. The Bucks also highlighted people who can recognise others in the neighbourhood.
The drag act caused discussion among some NBA fans and drew criticism from people who were worried about kids being in the stadium during halftime. It also received mixed responses on social media.
At @Bucks PRIDE Night!#ShowYourPride#WeAreYourFamily#WeSeeYou pic.twitter.com/2Gr7UDmboH
— Julie Marie Totsch 🇺🇦🇺🇲 (@JulieTotsch) January 26, 2023
In addition to the Pride festivities, the Milwaukee Police Department designated the Fiserv Forum as a “safe area for underserved members of our community, especially the LGBTQIA+ community to call police for assistance” and added it to the Safe Place project.
The Fiserv Forum featured local LGBTQIA+-owned businesses in addition to in-game advertising. On the 200-level, it set up a “Pride Small Business Marketplace” on tables outside of three sections.
EXCLUSIVE: Parents of Brookfield Central and Wisconsin Hills Middle School band students are expressing concern that @ElmbrookSchools never informed them that the @Bucks game at which they will be performing tomorrow night is Pride Night, which will feature a halftime drag show.
— Dan O'Donnell (@DanODonnellShow) January 24, 2023
Resource organisations including Milwaukee Pride, Pathfinders, and the LGBT Resource Center were also present. After the game, there was a free public gathering at The MECCA bar, which is across from Fiserv Forum, to continue the celebration.
Bucks players were also in a video to tell fans why it’s important to welcome everybody into sports.
Such an amazing experience being highlighted by the Milwaukee Bucks for Pride Night!!! 🌈 I was reminded of my “why” and the importance of continuing to fight for our kids! 💜 pic.twitter.com/7XYbw3ZUXN
— Greta Voit (@GretaVoit) January 26, 2023
“The power of sport can bring everyone together. It doesn’t matter your gender. It doesn’t matter your ethnicity. It doesn’t matter your political views, and it definitely doesn’t matter your sexual identity,” Bucks guard Pat Connaughton said in a video posted to social media before the game.
This is not the first time Milwaukee has featured a drag performer during the halftime show. In 2019, Jaida Essence Hall, an American drag queen and reality television star best known for taking first place in RuPaul’s Drag Race’s 12th season, gave a performance.
The Milwaukee Bucks held a halftime show with drag performers during Pride Night. https://t.co/cRCSdsZUh7
— OutKick (@Outkick) January 26, 2023
The Bucks returned to the court after the Pride halftime performance and kept up their impressive play. Milwaukee improved to 31-17 after defeating Denver 107-99.
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