A 31-year-old North Carolina man is charged with making online threats ahead of a scheduled drag show, threats that forced organizers to postpone the show.

Joseph O’Neal, of Brevard, N.C., turned himself into the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office. He is charged with one misdemeanor count of communicating threats due to alleged postings on Facebook in response to the drag show. UpCountry Brewery, located in the Brevard Lumber Arts District, was set to host “Don’t Hide Your Magic Unicorn Drag Show” on July 29, but on organized called off the show.

Under a pseudonym, O’Neal allegedly posted a response on Facebook to the event, which drew the attention of local enforcement officials “I’ll be damned if I’ll allow a pride celebration in my hometown of Brevard. They may as well consider themselves target practice. I’m not kidding. It’s pure wickedness!!,” O’Neal wrote. Also posted were a photo of guns and the comment: “I will die before that takes place!!!”

Transylvania County Sheriff Chuck Owenby said his office immediately began investigating when the postings were brought to their attention. After law enforcement contacted and interviewed O’Neal, Owenby said he turned himself in.

“Communicating threats is against the law —period,” Owenby said. “It doesn’t matter who the threat was made to or why the threat was made, but at the end of the day communicating threats to anybody, any way shape or form is illegal and we’re not going to put up with threatening people in Transylvania County or in this community.”

John Cochran, brewery owner, said the show has been postponed.

“While the outpouring of support has lifted our hearts, what was originally intended to be a fun event to raise funds for a local charity instead became overly politicized and, truthfully, has grown beyond our capability to properly staff and operate at this time,” said Cochran, who noted the event was to raise funds for the Transylvania County Rainbow Alliance, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people by educating, empowering and supporting its fellow community members.

“But with the way this was becoming overly politicized and with groups coming from as far away as Raleigh and Nashville, we did not feel prepared enough to guarantee everyone’s safety,” said Cochran.

Brevard Police Chief Tom Jordan said during the past couple of weeks he had extensive discussions with the event organizers and his department is ready to provide services to ensure the safety of all citizens at any future event occurring within Brevard.

“We were fully prepared to monitor the event and respond to any disturbances that may have occurred requiring a law enforcement response,” said Jordan.

“The organizer of the event was seeking private security for an event on private property and an inquiry was made into whether the Brevard Police Department had any officers that could be hired to work at the establishment for the event,” Jordan said. “The Brevard Police Department is responsible for enforcing laws and the venue was specifically a brewery, which created a conflict of interest for the hire of off-duty police officers. This was explained to the organizer who understood the conflict of interest and informed us that he would be seeking private security options elsewhere.”

Jordan said his department “is committed to the principles of equity and fairness and will continue to provide police services for every person and every business in our community without bias, as we have always done.”

Residents disappointed

Several people who planned on attending the event announced their disappointment in the postponement.

“These kinds of events are exactly what we need more of in Brevard,” said resident Jason Chewing, who was planning to go to the show. “If threats affect our ability to share art and entertainment, I consider those threats terrorism. The ones responsible should be met with swift justice. I don’t blame the business owners, I blame BPD for limiting the protection they would offer with a decision that seems more political than municipal.”

Following the event being postponed, Nancy Richards, president of the Transylvania County Rainbow Alliance, said the alliance appreciated UpCountry Brewery’s efforts to create an entertaining event that “signaled a welcoming and inclusive attitude towards the many diverse people living in our county and we regret that this offering was met with some expressions of fear, judgment and threats of violence.”

“When UpCountry offered to raise funds to support our group, we accepted in the hopes that we could use those funds to continue to provide acceptance and support for LGBTQ individuals and education for all,” said Richards. “Since our group began about 10 years ago — brought together by two Christian ministers and a coalition of concerned adult community members and allies — we have tried to be visible enough to offer resources and support for those who need us and to offer information and living testimony to those who regard us with suspicion and fear.

“There are many LGBTQ+ people and their allies living, working and studying here in this county. We are not a threat and our diversity makes all of us stronger.”

Although the event was postponed — no new date has been set — a few dozen members from local churches, nonprofit organizations and individuals gathered at UpCountry Brewery.

Richards thanked those in attendance for supporting her organization.

Cochran said 10% of sales during that time would be donated to Rainbow Alliance in addition to $5 from each Brevard Pride T-shirt sold.

“With the incredible support of the local community, UpCountry Brewing was able to raise over $3,500 for the Transylvania County Rainbow Alliance,” said Cochran Monday morning. “The amount of support we received from local individuals, businesses and groups was amazing. The fundraiser is still ongoing through the T-shirt sales and the GoFundMe page.”

The GoFundMe online fundraiser had raised more than $3,000.

“Drag show or no, the opposition did not win this round — we did,” said Cochran. “We will be back for more. As soon as we have a new date for the drag show, we will let everyone know.”

Laura Denon can be reached by calling (828) 862-5749 or emailing ldenon@transylvaniatimes.com.