FBI, Local Police Investigate Bomb Threat Made During Drag Story Hour

In Tempe, Ariz., a coffee shop's Drag Queen Story Hour had to be shut down because of a bomb threat.

Christopher Wiggins

Christopher Wiggins is The Advocate’s senior national reporter in Washington, D.C., covering the intersection of public policy and politics with LGBTQ+ lives, including The White House, U.S. Congress, Supreme Court, and federal agencies. He has written multiple cover story profiles for The Advocate’s print magazine, profiling figures like Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride, longtime LGBTQ+ ally Vice President Kamala Harris, and ABC Good Morning America Weekend anchor Gio Benitez. Wiggins is committed to amplifying untold stories, especially as the second Trump administration’s policies impact LGBTQ+ (and particularly transgender) rights, and can be reached at christopher.wiggins@equalpride.com or on BlueSky at cwnewser.bsky.social; whistleblowers can securely contact him on Signal at cwdc.98.

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Christopher Wiggins

February 21 2023 4:23 PM EST

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An Arizona coffee shop was forced to shut down its Drag Queen Story Hour on Sunday after the venue received a bomb threat during the event.

The LGBTQ-owned and friendly Brick Road Coffee in Tempe was harassed and protested over the weekend. It had caught the attention of the far-right extremist group, the Proud Boys, who were upset that the establishment was hosting a Drag Queen Story Hour.

A bomb threat was sent to the coffee shop via the internet about 20 minutes into the story hour. Police responded to the coffee shop when they received the threat but could not find any explosives and are investigating the matter.

Members of the Proud Boys were nearby but could not enter the business when the incident occurred, Phoenix-area NBC station KPNX reports.

Brick Road Coffee's Twitter page said they knew that protests were planned and had staffed extra security. On Valentine's Day, the shop wrote that it was aware of plans to protest the event and asked that supporters not counterprotest and unnecessarily escalate the situation.

"Unfortunately, this is not our first time dealing with protesters, so we have become quite well-prepared. We prefer not to give the [Proud Boys] oxygen by being reactive when we do not need to be," the coffee shop wrote.

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\u201cWe are aware of the plans circulating and already have a security plan with Drag Story Hour AZ and other organizations. We have full legal authority to trespass the parking lot so we are asking our community to NOT counter-protest as that would increase the risk of the situation.\u201d
— Brick Road Coffee (@Brick Road Coffee) 1676398482

Corey Woods, Tempe mayor, says police and the FBI are investigating KXNV, Phoenix's ABC affiliate reports.

"This Sunday, I visited one of our local businesses after a bomb threat was called in by a hate group during a drag story hour. Let me be completely clear - no person or group has a right to create chaos and spread hate in our community. Tempe Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are actively investigating this incident," Woods wrote.

Woods closed his statement by reiterating his community's openness toward LGBTQ+ people.

"In Tempe, we celebrate, respect and protect our diverse communities and businesses. We do not tolerate hate toward our LGBTQ community, and we stand up for the people and businesses who champion inclusion. My office is committed to advancing and advocating for a community of kindness, compassion, and understanding for everyone," he wrote.

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