LGBTQ+ Student Group Targeted With Bomb Threat Over Drag Show

Students at South Dakota State University, who are part of the school's Gender and Sexualities Alliance, received a bomb threat after hosting a drag show that Libs of TikTok posted a false video about online.

On November 25, SDSU's Gender and Sexualities Alliance was contacted by the University Police Department to notify them that somebody sent a threatening email promising retaliation following its November 16 drag show to a local news affiliate, The Daily Beastreports.

The university reportedly posted a bulletin on its website that read, "an explosive device or devices were placed on the campus of South Dakota State University."

Despite not explicitly naming the GSA in the bulletin, four group members claim their faculty advisors were notified of a threat against them.

Members of the GSA are critical of the university for not publicly acknowledging the threats against the group, citing that it took two weeks for the campus police to notify the affected LGBTQ+ students of the incident.

"I didn't find out from UPD," student Lindsay Tul told The Daily Beast. "I found out from the Discord that we have for our board members. I was freaking out because I didn't know how serious it was and if we were in danger. I was afraid for my friends and if something was going to happen to them."

Trending stories

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

Watch: In gay period romance 'Lilies Not For Me,' playful wrestling turns sensual (exclusive)

Discover the power of Wellness in your life

JD Vance ruthlessly mocked after everyone in Greenland refused to welcome wife Usha Vance

'Mid-Century Modern': Celebrate Linda Lavin's most iconic roles

Bob the Drag Queen shades Mistress Isabelle Brooks’ weight loss: 'Girl, you have to get new pads'

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

Where to stay in LGBTQ+ Ireland: Castles, domes and luxury retreats

Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

Matt Bomer, as a 'Mid-Century Modern' ditz, can finally 'experience queer joy'

The Charles is Pacific Grove's new LGBTQ+ hotel

Nathan Lee Graham wants 'Mid-Century Modern's queer viewers to 'lean into the joy'

Alan Cumming jumps for joy after major 'Avengers: Doomsday' casting news

Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times

Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

In 'Mid-Century Modern,' the 'gay Avengers' assemble for needed comic relief

Discover why chic Costa Navarino is Europe's luxury getaway

SFAF's Dr. Tyler TerMeer says he'll continue to fight for health care for all

Cowboys & Queens U.S. tour by Jane Hilton: A modern American dream

In 'Survival of the Thickest,' queer joy and activism are one and the same

From rock legends to Pride flags: Discover the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Asbury Park

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

​6 lesbian films coming we can't wait to see in 2025

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

The GSA advertised the November 16 family-friendly drag show on the school's website and drew immense criticism, similar to other drag-related events across the country.

Conservatives and far-right provocateurs have spent months demonizing drag queens with the false smear that these artists are sexualizing children and grooming kids for sexual abuse.

One right-wing media outlet, The Federalist, dedicated a lengthy online article to the event, accusing South Dakota's Republican governor, Kristi Noem, of looking the other way while children were being endangered.

"South Dakota State University hosted a "kid-friendly" drag show, on state property and in a taxpayer-funded building, that may be illegal under the state's "harmful to minors" legislation, yet the state's Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has not taken any steps to rectify the situation," the website wrote.

The SDSU president denied that state funds were expended on the drag show. He explained that the school did not sponsor the drag show, so no tax money was spent.

Before the bomb threat, as word of the event spread, performers slated to participate started receiving death threats.

After the event, on November 18, Chaya Raichik's Libs of TikTok account on Twitter targeted the group.

The account posted a video that GSA members said was not from the event, calling into question whether the show had been family-friendly. The Daily Beast confirmed that the clip misrepresented the event, showing performers and outfits not present at the night's show.

Experts in domestic extremism have accused Libs of TikTok of engaging in stochastic terrorism tactics, animating Raichik's followers to engage in unpredictably predictable acts of violence and disruption of LGBTQ+ events.

In anticipation of disruptions, university police officials assigned officers to the event who, according to The Daily Beast, checked bags at all entrances and kept an eye on the crowd to thwart any potential violence.

Campus police officials continue to investigate the incident.