The Philadelphia Zoo’s annual event, “Story Time Tuesdays: Animal Tales,” faced major changes last week when the zoo canceled plans for a drag queen to participate in its Pride Month kickoff.
On June 3rd, the zoo was set to collaborate with the local non-profit, Philadelphia Family Pride, and feature drag queen Christina Bangz as the special guest reader for children.
However, just days before the event, zoo director of school and community partnerships, Bethany Housman, contacted Philadelphia Family Pride spokesperson Michael Galvan for an urgent meeting. During this call, she informed him that senior leadership had decided to proceed without the drag queen due to concerns about safety and security.
“She was apologetic and said she wished she were calling with better news,” Galvan recounted.
Housman expressed her leadership’s apprehensions, noting they could not guarantee the safety of the drag artist at the event.
Galvan responded firmly, stating that without the drag queen, Philadelphia Family Pride would withdraw its involvement entirely.
“I appreciate concerns about safety,” he said. “But if they can’t keep one drag queen safe, then I don’t feel comfortable having queer families in that space. Additionally, in this ‘modern era’, drag artists are being vilified and attacked. We need to stand in solidarity.”
Despite efforts to reach Housman and a Philadelphia Zoo spokesperson for further comment, neither responded.
A zoo employee, who wished to remain anonymous due to their job, shared that there have been instances of tension at the zoo, mentioning, “There are Trump people that come to the zoo. Our public safety department can’t respond immediately, because there’s only a few patrolling staff. It could take three-plus minutes to respond.”
This employee’s input supports the reality that safety concerns can be legitimate, but many are questioning the zoo’s commitment to the LGBTQ community, given the immediate cancellation of events promoting inclusivity.
For some, the zoo’s safety concerns seem akin to a town canceling a Fourth of July parade out of fear of potential terrorism, which raises questions about the willingness to protect minority representation in community spaces.
Surely, hiring extra security for a brief one-hour event would be a reasonable solution, should the zoo truly prioritize safety and support for the LGBTQ community.
In a separate incident over Memorial Day weekend, violence reigned supreme in Philadelphia as a “rapid-fire” shooting occurred in Fairmount Park, resulting in eleven injuries and two fatalities.
Police were already present in the area due to prior reports of disturbances, highlighting ongoing concerns about public safety in Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, in nearby Seaside Heights, NJ, police made 73 arrests amidst a chaotic holiday of fights and stabbings, impacting families seeking leisure time away from the city.
While it’s worth noting that Philadelphia has seen a decline in homicides and overall violent crimes year to date, residents are wary of a surge in violence as summer approaches.
Many are hoping that the warmer months do not bring about further issues or unrest in the city.
On a lighter note, music artist Post Malone made headlines during his visit to Philadelphia.
During his recent performance, he stopped by Nifty Fifty’s, a beloved local eatery, donning Dallas Cowboys gear, much to the chagrin of local fans who vocalized their discontent on social media.
Despite the outrage over his attire, the visit didn’t escalate to any milkshake-throwing incidents, which some might see as a minor victory for the singer.
Over the weekend, one of the most-read stories in Philly Mag was a column about the rules surrounding grilling in Rittenhouse Square and other parks in the area, penned by Victor, a regular columnist.
Many readers showed gratitude for the information, while others expressed confusion about the necessity for a guide on grilling rules.
One reader even labeled the article as “rage bait,” prompting discourse about why a simple guide could stir such varying reactions.
The forecast for tomorrow paints a dismal picture, with a high of only 59 degrees and a consistent rainy outlook for the rest of the week.
However, there is a glimmer of hope as the weather report hints at a warm respite next week, with expectations of a high of 82 degrees.
In economic news, a shuttered Wawa in Delaware County is on the market for a staggering $800,000, as the company begins selling off several properties in the Philadelphia region.
Unsurprisingly, there’s no indication whether a Meatball Shorti is included in the deal.
Lastly, despite Delaware legalizing recreational weed two years ago, officials report that there are currently zero retail stores where residents can actually purchase the product.
One involved official claimed that state leaders “completely botched” the entire process, leaving many to rely on informal sources for their cannabis needs.
image source from：https://www.phillymag.com/news/2025/05/27/philadelphia-zoo-drag-queen-pride/
