An Iowa magician canceled her performance at the Campbell County Public Library in Gillette this week after receiving death threats because of her gender identity.
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News Release
This story first appeared on Cowboy State Daily
By Ellen Fike, Cowboy State Daily
An Iowa magician canceled her performance at the Campbell County Public Library in Gillette this week after receiving death threats because of her gender identity.
Mikayla Oz, who has performed in libraries across the nation, is a transgender woman, which caused enough of an uproar in the Gillette community that Oz began to receive death threats regarding her performance in the city.
“With great regret, regret shared by Campbell County Public Library System, Oz canceled her programs in Gillette and Wright due to safety concerns for herself, library staff, and library patrons,” the library announced on Tuesday. “Oz’s transgender identity was shared on a social media post made by a Gillette citizen. From there, misinformation about the performances was spread via social media and a call to protest the events was made by a group of citizens. The cancellation came after threats were made directly to Oz and to library staff.”
In addition to appearing in libraries, Oz has appeared on the Travel Channel and been profiled by the Huffington Post and USA Today for her high energy, comedic magic melded with storytelling.
Former state Rep. Scott Clem, R-Gillette, was one of the residents who posted about the magician performing at the library, sharing a video about Oz’s transition from male to female.
“What concerns me is that these types of events are orchestrated, not simply for fun and entertainment, but as a cover to introduce and glorify something more insidious and harmful,” Clem wrote in a Facebook post. “As a pastor and parent I have some questions. Is this simply a fun magic show? Or is the magic show a cover for this person to talk about sexual issues with our teens?”
He questioned why the library was promoting the “base things of life” and not higher virtues.
Many of the comments on Clem’s post agreed with him, saying the library was “liberal” and pushing a “dark agenda.”
Sara Burlingame, a former legislator and executive director of the pro-LGBTQ organization Wyoming Equality, planned to travel to Gillette on Wednesday to appear during a “listening party” with members the group Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays during a dinner at Pizza Carello. Discussion was expected to center around the current climate for LGBTQ-identifying Wyomingites.
This situation in Gillette comes on the heels of the library receiving some backlash in the community due to its LGBTQ-related programming during Gay Pride Month in June, according to Wyoming Public Media.
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Harriet Oleson
July 15, 2021 at 8:42 am
A PASTOR?? said all this. The only “dark agenda” seems to belong to Pastor Clem, What would Jesus say Pastor Clem??
Mitch Smith
July 15, 2021 at 10:24 am
He is going against the laws of nature, and also against God’s law. As a Pastor, i am sure that is what is meant by “Dark Agenda” Pastor Clem is entitled to his first amendment rights, and is free to express his thoughts. Isn’t America Great?
Harriet Oleson
July 15, 2021 at 2:22 pm
Pastor Clem certainly is entitled to speak his mind but by applying such extreme pressure, he took away the rights of Mikayla Oz . Unless he had attended the show or had Factual evidence that it was a cover for “insidious and harmful” actions, one might think that Pastor Clem just assumed that the show was a bad thing. So In my book maybe it is the good pastor who had the dark agenda. Now Pastor Smith, what would Jesus say????
Mitch Smith
July 15, 2021 at 4:12 pm
In Jesus book, Mikayla Oz is full of sin….. Perhaps you need to educate yourself on his book? The Bible is clear on this…..
Harriet Oleson
July 15, 2021 at 7:50 pm
My education on the Bible has led me to know that everybody interprets it differently. You are simply expounding on your interpretation. Perhaps you need to educate yourself 2 realize that it is just your opinion
William Roberts
July 17, 2021 at 2:42 pm
Some people interpret the Bible in ways to justify their given situation and way of life. Giving any a credibility to a person being born the wrong sex, accuses a perfect God of making a mistake and questions his holy word
Terry Moore
July 15, 2021 at 4:21 pm
I agree, pastor Clem goes against the laws of Nature, and probably eats his own boogers. He also, like you, uses the word of God, selectively, to justify his ignorance, intolerance, and hate. Free speech, can make you look like an idiot. Use it wisely, bozo.
Don White
July 15, 2021 at 9:32 am
More hate from the hypocritical right-wing evangelicals. Another shameful day for the “Equality State.”
William Roberts
July 17, 2021 at 2:33 pm
What was ever wrong with don’t ask don’t tell? Trying to force people into accepting your lifestyle, is opening yourself up to unpleasant situations. She could be as much to blame as the haters you speak of
William Roberts
July 17, 2021 at 2:28 pm
The only appointed judge of man, is Jesus. We were given our good Shepard, because God Knew we could never keep his Commandments. We are required to love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves. This misguided young person could and probably should have kept the transgendered identification a separate story. We are to love and pray, but never condemn. We can never be forced to accept