Menomonee Falls bakery cancels drag queen story time after threats on social media

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Menomonee Falls bakery says it was forced to cancel a drag queen story time after threats on social media. Batter and Mac, in downtown Menomonee Falls, says the event was intended to kick off Pride Month in June. 

With every bowl, batter, and tray, Casey Gusho and Brittany Wohlfeil have a message. 

“Life took us in a different path than I thought," said Wohlfeil. “It’s nice to be able to do something that you’re passionate about and that you actually like every day.”

The two sisters take their sweet treats and spread them throughout their community in more ways than one. 

“Our purpose is to just to help raise awareness for inclusion and positivity," said Gusho. 

For Pride Month, the two sisters decided to host a drag queen story time. The proceeds would go to Courage MKE, a local LGBTQ nonprofit. 

Drag queen is one of the symbols of the LGBTQ community and it's something that a lot of people have fear of. Really, they’re trying to be inclusive," said Gusho.

Wohlfeil says the backlash was quick. After hate comments and phone calls with no caller IDs, they were forced to cancel the event out of concerns for safety. 

“We had a call where someone said they were going to throw a brick through the window," said Wohlfeil. “For them to see adults behaving this way, is really too bad.”

Among those who disapproved of the event: Village of Menomonee Falls Trustee Ann Lessila. In a statement, Lessila told CBS 58, "I stated that this event for grooming children should be shared so the community knows the details."

“If you don’t like the event and don’t want to participate in it, it’s really simple to just not buy a ticket," said Wohlfeil. 

Courage MKE says everyone deserves space to be who they are. 

"Our elected start leading for everyone, not just for people that fall under their own umbrella," said Brad Schlaikowski, the executive director of Courage MKE. “The kids just missed out on a fun day. That’s all it was going to be.”

Wohlfeil and Gusho say they want their community to be just that. Following the backlash, the two say people have stepped up and shown more support for their events. Batter and Mac's two adult drag queen bingo nights for Pride Month have already sold out.

“We’re a bakery, and we just want to be inclusive," said Gusho.