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Why one Fall River mom is taking her young daughter to the Westport Pride Event this weekend, Drag Queens and all.

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Earlier this week, we reported that a local LGBTQ-owned small business, The Cat and Raven, was hosting the first ever pride event in Westport this Sunday. The event, called Westport Pride Fest, is free to attend and will have live entertainment, food, drinks vendors, raffles as well as DJ music and drag queens to close out the day.

Fall River mom Alison Gillette saw the story and commented that she would be taking her 8 year old daughter to the event:

We reached out to Alison and asked her to share with us more about why she felt bringing her child to this pride event was so important.

I saw that your were one of the first to comment on a story we published earlier today about the Town of Westport hosting its first Pride Event. First, let me ask, is this the first Pride event you have been to and is it the first one your daughter will be attending?

I’ve been to Providence Pride back in 2015!! I went with a Gay friend to show support as an ally. I’ve never had such a sincere sense of community. My daughter has never been. I wanted to wait until she was old enough to actually understand the importance of the event.

What made you decide that this is something you wanted to attend with your family?

What made me decide to attend with my daughter is we have a close family member who is gay. I have seen him hide who he is, afraid of what people might say. When she was able to understand, we made it a point to explain to her what being gay is. I wanted her to know that it is ok and nothing to be ashamed of. We have told her no matter who she loves, we will support her 100%.

Let’s talk about the hot top of drag queens, who are set to be performing at this event. Will your daughter be allowed to stay and watch them perform? On the same topic, some people say that drag performances can be hyper-sexualized and even a little raunchy. Have you thought about things you can say or do that would make your daughter more relaxed if she sees something that makes her uncomfortable or doesn’t understand?

I actually told my daughter what drag queens are. They are normal people who chose to express themselves by wearing dresses and lots of makeup!!!! And of course we will be watching them perform! We will be there to support everyone!! As far as them being hyper-sexualized, I don’t see why! They are normal people expressing themselves! If someone is offended by the ladies, that’s their problem! It’s 2024, get over it.

Why are you so passionate about exposing your child to this Pride event and what do you hope your daughter gets from this experience?

The reason I’m so passionate is I want my daughter to continue loving people for who they are. Everyone is different. Love is love. She is only 8 so she hasn’t figured out her sexuality yet and if she is gay, I want her to know it’s okay and she should be proud of who she is. Everyone, regardless of who they love, has every right to be proud of who they are.

The Westport Pride Fest event will be held on Sunday, June 23, 2024, from noon – 5:00 p.m. rain or shine at Westport Holy Ghost Club located at 171 Sodom Road in Westport.

Primary correspondent for the Greater Fall River area, Jess focuses on human interest stories and investigations into political corruption. She is a former fill-in host and digital contributor at The Howie Carr Show, former host of The Jessica Machado Show and SouthCoast Tonight on WBSM in New Bedford, former blogger at The Herald News and a former fill-in host at WSAR in Fall River.

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37 Comments

37 Comments

  1. Fed Up

    June 21, 2024 at 3:39 pm

    Allison publicly admits she’s a terrible mom. Someone should report Allison to DCF because she has no problem with autogynephilic men acting in a sexualized way in front of a child. Anyone who endorses this is part of the problem. LEAVE KIDS OUT OF IT for f*ck’s sake. You want to have a Pride celebration, knock yourself out, stop Grooming children to thing this is normal behavior.

    • Alison

      June 21, 2024 at 6:04 pm

      Please tell me how I’m a terrible mom?! Drag queens are entertainers. You bring kids to other shows correct?? And if you don’t like how I’m raising MY child then STAY OUT OF IT!!!

      • Fed Up

        June 21, 2024 at 7:22 pm

        Already did. Obviously reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit. Strippers are entertainers too so by your logic. And ” you bring kids to other shows ” Yes NOT ones of men who get off on dressing as the opposite sex while doing hyper-sexulized dances. Obviously you’re a single mom because no man would allow his daughter to precipitate in this debauchery. You’re what’s known as a devouring Mother , willing to exposed her child for a dopamine hit off of social media virtue signaling.

        • Alison Gillette

          June 21, 2024 at 9:00 pm

          Actually I’m happily married to a man tank you. But thank you for your concern.

      • dr david

        June 22, 2024 at 11:16 am

        Im confused …. i thought that “GOD IS LOVE” and not that “Love is Love” …. because if God is Love then that means there might be a few requirements for his creatures to remain in that grace of Divine Love …of course, the dark intelligence (Spirit) that opposes God and early on lost God’s Love through his PRIDE … might want God’s creatures to think that ” Love is Love” because then you can kinda do whatever you want …. like say … sodomize another man and call it ‘Marriage’

      • Laura

        June 24, 2024 at 8:22 am

        you’re a terrible mom because drag queens are usually half dressed naked men shimmying around with their intimate body parts almost exposed. No problem with drag queens performing for adults, not children.

  2. Gary Dunn

    June 21, 2024 at 5:47 pm

    I feel sorry for that little girl let her find out on who she wants to be with when she gets a little older mid teens God help us

    • Alison Gillette

      June 21, 2024 at 9:04 pm

      No need to feel sorry for her. She’s got what she needs. Happy Pride 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

    • Alison Gillette

      June 21, 2024 at 9:39 pm

      Oh no need to feel bad for her. She’s very well loved but thank you

  3. VICKI O

    June 21, 2024 at 6:15 pm

    I LIKE IT And IT Was Fun.

    • Fed Up

      June 21, 2024 at 7:24 pm

      Knock yourself out. I lean towards libertarianism but these shows should be off limits to children. Anyone who says otherwise need to be investigated.

  4. Fed Up

    June 21, 2024 at 8:35 pm

    ” She’s very religious and loves God but also knows love is love!!! ” She’s not very religious because it clearly states in the bible in Leviticus 20:13 that homosexuality is explicitly wrong and people doing so should be subject to the harshest penalties! Now personally I don’t agree with any of that at all and teaching children this is just as detrimental to children as bringing them to watch men in drag practically exposing themselves to a bewildered audience. Anyone who subjects children to this need to be investigated for child abuse.

    • Alison Gillette

      June 21, 2024 at 9:02 pm

      She is very religious but she also knows God loves everyone. She will pray for you 🙏🏼 God bless and Happy Pride 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

      • Fed Up

        June 22, 2024 at 7:33 am

        Obvious neither of you have read the Bible because that’s simply not the case.

      • Laura

        June 24, 2024 at 8:24 am

        I support the LGB — not the T. And not drag queens in front of children.

    • Mija Almeida

      June 22, 2024 at 11:06 am

      Tell that to the thousands of pedophile priests, ministers and deacons as they are molesting children with no repercussions. You don’t like this then keep scrolling. No one is requiring that you comment here. No one is requiring that you attend a Pride festival. Allison keep spreading the love and raising your daughter to be a loving and accepting person! Don’t even lower yourself to responding to these people. They’re not worth your energy.

  5. sad

    June 21, 2024 at 11:40 pm

    I used to read this blog/website to keep myself informed about both the crime and local events in the community. Since you’ve added this new person to the roster a lot of these feel like gossip or posts that belong on twitter or facebook. I know I’m in the minority but that’s my feedback. I stay off of social media in the first place to avoid opinion or inflammatory pieces. I was here for years to get the facts of the news which I hope you decide to return to

  6. Steve

    June 22, 2024 at 12:37 am

    *”ATTENTION”!: TO ALL YOU HOMOPHOBE’S OUT THERE! THERE ARE NO GAY PEOPLE*(INCLUDING MYSELF*) That ARE Even Romotely “Interested”In Recruiting You’re Children Into “Homosexuality”. WE Are “HAPPY” People Who Enjoy Celebrating & Promoting “GAY PRIDE”🏳️‍🌈 By Celebrating Just “BEING OURSELVES”& Letting Other’s Know That WE ARE “HERE”*YESS! WE DO “EXIST”! LIKE Anybody Else does. AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!Those of Us Who DO Drag, Dressing Up & Looking Like a Woman Is Actually A “Compliment” To Women Of ALL Sexual Orientations: Be It Straight,Gay,Bi,Or Trans.Many Straight Men, Especially Comedians Have Historically Dressed In “Drag” Such As Milton Berle,Jack Lemmon & Tony Curtis,& Many Other’s Have Entertained Us & Have Satirically Paid Homage & Respect to BeautifuL Women Around The World.And NOT ALL Gays Like to Be Feminine Like Women. Some Do & Some Don’t. And Some Drag Queens Are NOT EVEN GAY! Some Are Straight* or Bisexual*,Some Cross-Dress, Put Make-Up On like a”Clown”& Playing The Part of being a Woman,To Show Their Feminine Side,Which In’Normal”Staight’ Society,They Are Often feeling too Uncomfortable to Express Themselves in Public Society.And NOBODY’S AFTER YOU’RE CHILDREN!! IN FACT ? You ALL Should Be MORE Worried About Those “STRAIGHT”PEDOPHILES OUT THERE! YOU’RE SO-CALLED “STRAIGHT” GYM TEACHERS,SPORTS COACHES,CUB,BOY & GIRLS SCOUTS & You’re OWn Relatives,Family & Friend’s.THEY Are MORE “SUSPECT” THAN YOU “THINK”! Children Should LEARN About ALL Different & SAME “GENDER”LOVE, AFTER ALL: LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE.❤️

    • Fed Up

      June 22, 2024 at 7:46 am

      And there it is. Any criticism or concerns and……you’re labeled a ” homophobe ” And nice strawman by the way. Find one comment where anyone claimed gay people are recruiting children , I’ll wait. People have legitimate concerns about bringing children to adult themed shows. That’s it.

    • Gary Dunn

      June 22, 2024 at 8:33 am

      You didn’t mention those characters that dressed like women on TV back in the ’60s and seventies I lived it they used to come on after 10:00 on adult hour Carol Burnett Dean Martin Joey Bishop Johnny Carson it was on our and I wasn’t able to watch anything after 9:00 or later all I mention was kids in their middle teens teens can go with their parents use discretion these people don’t understand that have a nice day folks

    • Keith

      June 22, 2024 at 9:12 am

      PREACH IT STEVE……..HAPPY PRIDE ONE AND ALL

  7. ?

    June 22, 2024 at 7:11 am

    So now woman are clowns that put on make and act feminine! Hope your drag show stays clean. Don’t think for one second that it’s not gonna be recorded and posted. Drag shows are great for adults only. Leave the damn kids out of it.

    • Gary Dunn

      June 22, 2024 at 8:35 am

      I totally agree with you

  8. Gary Dunn

    June 22, 2024 at 8:40 am

    Also for those of you that think that I’m full of hate me and my wife we go to p-town and those shows are 18 and over and most of them are on after 8:00 so there’s no hate here that’s what most of us on here are trying to say let kids be kids God bless you people that had comments that wanted disgrace us people that are reasonable

  9. Brooke

    June 22, 2024 at 9:35 am

    I 100% believe Allison is correct. Obviously YOU people can’t read. All of her responses are about teaching love and acceptance; it’s the rest of you who shouldn’t be parents. Shame on all of you. Hopefully you’re a dying breed and the next generation will be brought up SO much better.

    • Fed Up

      June 22, 2024 at 10:43 am

      If you think bringing a child to a show of autogynephilic men parading as women doing hypersexualized dances is normal & acceptable you’re just as deluded as she is. You can preach love & acceptance all you’d like and NOT bring a child to a space they do not belong. Parents jobs are to PROTECT their children, bringing them to these shows is the opposite of that.

  10. Biblical BullCrap Crusher

    June 22, 2024 at 9:39 am

    Apparently these priests haven’t read the Bible either 😂 GTFOH with your biblical shit. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/illinois-catholic-clergy-sexually-abused-over-1900-minors/

    • Joe Silvia

      June 22, 2024 at 9:57 am

      Pointing out that gay priests abuse boys doesn’t make the point you think it does.GTFOH with your LGBT pandering shit.

    • Fed Up

      June 22, 2024 at 10:58 am

      Obviously not. It’s not my biblical shit ,. it’s Alisons who thinks you can believe in God and he’s Okay with homosexuality. And Wait a moment Steve just assured us that gays weren’t coming for our children , so much for that theory.

  11. Cheryl Costa

    June 22, 2024 at 9:59 am

    I can’t believe all you supposedly Christian saying such terrible things about this Mom. If you can’t say anything nice, say nothing.

    • Fed Up

      June 22, 2024 at 10:48 am

      I’m not a Christian and never claimed to be. I’m not the one claiming to believe in God and think homosexuality is A-O-Kay with God because according to the bible it’s clearly not. It’s the hypocrisy I’m pointing out and the fact that any parent who brings their children to these adult shows need to be paid a visit by DCF for being an abject failure.

  12. Gary Dunn

    June 22, 2024 at 10:42 am

    I didn’t say nothing everybody has their opinions and that’s fine it’s what I believe in and you can have your beliefs it’s fine it doesn’t mean that we hate the bottom line is we all love our kids

  13. Steve

    June 22, 2024 at 11:41 am

    It’s very tempting to want to pick this “mother’s” comments apart, but it’s a waste of time (pearls before swine kind of thing). It’s obvious that she knows at some level that the drag queen shows are entirely about sex. Autogynephilia is not a new phenomenon. If it were about men simply expressing their “inner oppressed womanhood” then why aren’t any of them dressing like female college professors or CEO’s or bus drivers and giving symposiums on related subject matter. The shows are about sex period. This type of entertainment is NOT appropriate for minors PERIOD. I personally dislike labels but if my view on this labels me as old fashioned or conservative or extreme whatever then so be it. I am liberty oriented. Do what you like so long as it’s not harming others. This exposure is harmful to children and there ARE laws against it for good reason. Protect the children. How? First, raise yours according to your own traditional values, unashamedly. Second, get out and vote for people who demonstrate support for your values. The stakes are too high and the opposition will surely be out voting for their “representation “, probably more than once.

  14. MortisMaximus

    June 22, 2024 at 1:45 pm

    Sexual predators come from all walks of life. Anything involving sexual connotations is not fit for children.

    • Jp

      June 23, 2024 at 11:55 am

      Why doesn’t everyone just worry about themselves instead of worrying what others think is appropriate for their kids. How are you affected? There is no need to be so vile and angry. Also, whoever thinks a drag show in the afternoon during pride is a strip show, you need to get out more. Education is required on your side too. All you are seeing are probably clips from a night club (where children are not allowed) at 1am on a Saturday night. I still don’t understand this reference between a stripper and a drag queen. Honestly how are they stripping? 10 pairs of panty hose, add some padding to create the illusion of a woman. Oh yeah, makes me wet 🤣🤣 C’mon get a grip people. It’s an illusion not a strip show. Women wear less on the beach, but as far as the eye can see there are children. OMG 😱

      • HuntersCrackPipe

        June 23, 2024 at 9:28 pm

        You sound like a groomer!

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