Pasadena Hosts City Funded Drag Ball for Toddlers and Teens at Taxpayer Expense

Pasadena Uses Taxpayer Money to Host Drag Ball Targeting Toddlers and Teens

The Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena, California hosted "Play House" on April 12, 2026, a city sponsored "community drag celebration" specifically designed for children and families. The free event, held at the Armory's Old Pasadena campus, invited attendees ranging from "toddlers to teens" to dress up in wigs, props, jewelry, and costumes while meeting local drag performers.

The event was organized by Austyn de Lugo Liston, an Armory Teaching Artist and Education Coordinator, who received an individual artist grant from the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission and the city of Pasadena's Cultural Affairs Division to fund the program. The official event page bore the City of Pasadena logo, confirming taxpayer involvement in its sponsorship.

Among the featured performers was Harris Kornstein, a University of Arizona professor who performs under the name "Lil Miss Hot Mess." Kornstein serves as a board member for Drag Queen Story Hour, an organization that drew criticism from then Senator Marco Rubio in 2022. Also appearing was Manny Oakley, billed as "the country western king of LA," while DJ Cr1stallball provided music.

The event description stated it was for "everybody from toddlers, to teens, and all the grownups in their lives who support them." Activities were centered on "self expression" with programming described as designed to "affirm transgender and gender expansive youth."

Play is for everybody from toddlers, to teens, and all the grownups in their lives who support them.

The Armory Center for the Arts, founded in 1989, describes itself as a nonprofit focused on advancing "equity and social justice through arts education," serving socioeconomically disadvantaged youth and families. The organization did not respond to requests for comment regarding the event's funding sources or programming decisions.

City Funded Drag Event for Children Sparks Outrage in Pasadena California

The Rose Bowl city, known for its annual Tournament of Roses Parade, is now drawing national attention for a very different kind of event. Parents and concerned citizens have raised questions about why taxpayer funds are being used to expose young children to drag performances, particularly when the event explicitly targets children as young as toddlers.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let me be absolutely clear: a city government used your tax dollars to host an event designed to parade drag performers in front of toddlers. Not teenagers. Not adults. Toddlers. This is not about art or self expression. This is about a deliberate agenda to normalize sexual ideology for children who cannot even read. The same government that would never fund a Vacation Bible School or a children's prayer breakfast has no problem writing checks for drag balls targeting three year olds. Imagine for one moment if a church requested city funding to teach children about biblical masculinity and femininity. They would be laughed out of the building and accused of indoctrination. But drag for toddlers? That gets a grant and an official city logo. The hypocrisy is staggering. Protect the children. They are not props for anyone's ideology.

Take Action

• Contact the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission at (626) 744 7062 and demand transparency on how taxpayer funds are allocated for children's programming.
• Email the Pasadena City Council at citycouncil@cityofpasadena.net and express your concerns about city sponsored events targeting young children.
• Support organizations defending parental rights and child protection. Visit www.TheShepherdsShield.org to contribute to efforts protecting children and families.
• Share this story on social media and with your church community to raise awareness about how local government funds are being used.
• Attend your local city council meetings and speak during public comment periods to ensure your voice is heard on issues affecting children in your community.