Atlanta Ex-Mayor Backs Halloween Fest with Drag Shows

Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta and Georgia’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee, is lending her support to an upcoming Halloween event that will feature drag performances. This sponsorship comes at a time when federal funding for LGBTQ+ organizations has reportedly been curtailed under the Trump administration.

Community Event Features Spooky Trails and a ‘Hallo Queen Show’

The event, organized by the LGBTQ+ group ColGay Pride based in Columbus, Georgia, is designed to offer a festive Halloween experience for families. According to a promotional video from the group, the early evening hours, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., are slated for activities like trick-or-treating along themed trails and exploring illuminated Halloween settings. As night progresses, the event is set to transition into what is described as a “hallo queen show,” promising a spectacle of music, elaborate costumes, and Halloween-themed entertainment.

ColGay Pride’s programming indicates that the portion of the event specifically designated for adults, which includes the drag shows, is scheduled to commence after 9 p.m. Despite this distinction, Lance Bottoms’ endorsement of the Halloween celebration—which also includes a haunted walk, s’mores, and a costume contest for all ages, all with a focus on gender expression—highlights her record of supporting LGBTQ+-related content, even when children may be present.

ColGay Pride Faces Financial Challenges

ColGay Pride outlines its mission as fostering diversity, inclusion, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community in and around Columbus, aiming to cultivate a supportive and affirming atmosphere through its various programs and events. This year’s Halloween celebration marks the final event for the group, which has been operating for 13 years. The organization has cited funding difficulties, exacerbated by federal funding cuts under the Trump administration, as the primary reason for its impending closure.

“We are closing our doors next year,” the group stated in a public message. “It has become far too difficult to raise money when our financial aid was cut off completely under Trump, when our own citizens—the very people we have served for twenty years—do not donate. Sometimes you simply reach a point where enough is enough.” The group expressed gratitude to Lance Bottoms for her support, acknowledging her contribution with a digital sponsorship certificate shared on Facebook. The exact amount of her sponsorship remains undisclosed.

Lance Bottoms’ Political Landscape

Lance Bottoms’ gubernatorial campaign has encountered several political challenges. In 2021, the Campaign Finance Commission imposed a $37,000 fine on her for exceeding legal contribution limits by over $60,000 and for accepting $110,000 that surpassed debt caps. Furthermore, she opted not to seek re-election as mayor of Atlanta amidst a period marked by a significant increase in homicides, which rose by 58% compared to the previous year during a COVID-19 surge.

Adding to these controversies, Lance Bottoms has faced criticism from conservative circles regarding her positions on gender policy. During a recent gubernatorial debate, she stated that she would have vetoed the Riley Gaines Act, legislation aimed at preventing biological males from competing in women’s sports. “I believe that decisions about who competes and how people compete shouldn’t be happening at the state capitol. I don’t support the government making decisions about who should compete in athletics. I believe that decision should be left to respective athletic associations,” Lance Bottoms explained.

This stance has become a focal point for her opponent, Rick Jackson, the Republican nominee. Jackson’s campaign has utilized this comment to challenge Lance Bottoms’ platform on gender and sexuality issues. “Keisha Bottoms and the other Democrats said they’d have vetoed the Riley Gaines Act. They won’t protect girls’ sports, but they will open the floodgates for woke ideology in our schools. We’re going to make sure they don’t get the chance,” Jackson’s campaign posted on X, formerly Twitter, emphasizing the debate remark.

Past Support for Drag-Related Events

This is not the first instance of Lance Bottoms supporting events involving drag performances. In 2019, while serving as mayor, she invited drag queen Ms. Terra Cotta Sugarbaker to host a story hour. This invitation followed the Fulton County library system’s decision to cancel a scheduled “drag queen story time.” Lance Bottoms publicly offered, “Ms. Terra Cotta Sugarbaker and all our LGBTQ friends are always welcome at Atlanta City Hall. How about we host your next story hour? Let’s make it happen!” she wrote on X.

The Bottoms campaign did not provide an immediate response when asked for comment regarding the upcoming Halloween event, the specifics of her sponsorship, or whether it is appropriate for children to attend events centered on sexuality and gender expression. Lance Bottoms will face Jackson in the general election on November 3, 2025, after successfully navigating her primary election.