Awake IL issues ‘call of action’ in campaign to cancel Downers Grove Public Library’s ‘Drag Queen Bingo’ event for teens
Aurora Devine (left) will host the Drag Bingo Show. | Instagram
Awake Illinois has issued a call of action and started an email campaign in its drive against a child-friendly drag show scheduled at Downers Grove Public Library.
The parent rights group raised the issue of the appropriateness of a “Drag Queen Bingo” show to be held at the Downers Grove Public Library on Oct. 11. The event is to be hosted by drag queen Aurora Devine.
Awake IL is suggesting concerned community members engage in an email writing campaign and attend the next Downers Grove Library Board Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
“The last thing I want is for our community children to be exposed to sexually charged content simply because they visited their local library. Lewd adult content doesn’t belong at a public library event for any age group,” an Awake Illinois form letter reads. “As a taxpayer and concerned citizen, I urge the Downers Grove Library to cancel the event and discipline the staff involved in planning and hosting the event. Additionally, I request a response to questions on why this event allowed minors to register, provide their contact information and share their grade level without parental notification.”
Go to awakeil.com to see the “call to action” and the form letter.
The event is being promoted to children in grades 7-12.
“Join Aurora Divine for some classic bingo! Multiple games will be played for prizes with a short drag performance included,” the event landing page reads.
The North Side Chicago bar My Buddy’s will present “Drag Bingo” on Sept. 1, hosted by Aurora Divine. In the event’s advertisement, it is said that “a raucous raunchy time had by all!!”
A drag queen bingo event called “Balls out” was organized by Aurora Divine in March at Charlie’s Chicago, a bar in the city’s Boystown district. The nearby “gay sauna” Steam Works Baths sponsored the appearance.
Tyler “TyTy” Reviglio, a 31-year-old wig maker and self-described “Musical Theatre McGyver” from Peru in LaSalle County, 100 miles west of Chicago, goes by the stage name “Aurora Devine.”
Reviglio has performed for community theaters in the LaSalle-Peru region, including those in junior high and high schools, according to the website of his business. In 2007, Educators of Beauty Cosmetology School awarded him a diploma.
Reviglio currently resides in the west suburban community of Elmwood Park, according to his TikTok page.
Six people make up the Downers Grove Public Library Board: the president, Swapna Gigani (Democrat, 43), Carissa Dougherty (Democrat, 44), David Humphreys (Democrat, 80), Barnali Khuntia (Democrat, 48) and William T. Nienburg (Republican, 53). There is one open seat.
