Kansas City nonprofit seeking funding for ballot measure cancels Halloween drag show for youth

A Missouri nonprofit organized to combat violence abruptly canceled the drag show Halloween party it was sponsoring for youth ages 12-20, according to the Facebook page dedicated to the event.

The development comes at an inopportune moment for the Kansas City nonprofit, which is actively seeking a tax increase on the November ballot in Platte County to help pay for its services.

Titled “Queers and Fears: An LGBTQ+ Youth and Allies Halloween Party,” the event was being sponsored by Synergy Services, which claims its mission is “to strengthen individuals, families and our community through violence prevention, crisis intervention, shelter, counseling, advocacy and education.”

A document obtained by The Lion from the state shows that Synergy received over $11 million since 2020 from the state of Missouri, including $2.7 million so far this year.

Those revenues don’t include money collected at the local level by county tax pools.

In April, it was reported by local Fox 4 that Synergy was busy collecting signatures in Platte County for a sales tax increase that would serve as a revenue pool, grants from which Synergy and other mental health care providers could apply for. 

Fox 4 said that Synergy already had similar tax increases set up in Clay and Jackson counties, according to the nonprofit’s co-executive director, Dennis Meier.  

Initially, Platte County commissioners refused to put the tax increase on the ballot. But a judge eventually ordered the question to be put before voters in November. 

“I’m genuinely afraid that in future years, if liberals are elected to the county commission, they’ll appoint liberal members to this board of directors, and the money will be spent on outrageous liberal projects,” said Joe Vanover, Platte County commissioner for District 2, according to the Kansas City Star. 

Vanover did not mention Synergy’s signature collection efforts or its sponsoring of the controversial drag show. 

“Calling all youth and allies AGES 12-20! Get ready for a night of unforgettable fun at the YRC’s Queers and Fears event!” said the event’s broadside for the 2024 Halloween party. “It’s FREE, and you’re invited to join us for a spooky soirée like no other!”  

The event promised drag performers, free gifts, food, a costume contest and face painting. 

YRC stands for the Youth Resiliency Center, a 10,000 square-foot facility hosting everything from recording studios to a mental health clinic to boxing facilities. 

While the event was not listed on Synergy’s website schedule, a mobile QR code took visitors to an invitation for the event on Facebook. 

That invitation notes that the event has been canceled. 

“For almost a decade, Synergy Services Youth Campus has hosted an annual LGBTQ+ and Allies Halloween Party, providing a safe and inclusive event for youth in our community,” said the cancellation announcement. “It is with heavy hearts that we share this event has been canceled for the safety of our youth and staff.”  

The Lion contacted Synergy to find out specifically why the event was cancelled, asking Synergy to specify the threat, if police were contacted, and what measures the police were taking to deal with the threat. 

In its reply, Synergy refused to mention any specific threat. 

“It was brought to our attention that several people were using our event promotions to spread fear, hate, misinformation, and entice violence,” the spokesperson said. “These statements increased our concern for the safety of our youth and staff to a point that is beyond our control, leading us to make the decision to cancel the event.”  

When pressed for more details about the serious allegations of threats made inside the community, Synergy told The Lion that it has “nothing else to add at this time.”  

Similar Halloween events by Synergy Services in 2022 and 2023 included “Free STI Testing” for youth ages 12-20. 

The ballot question in Platte County for the November election is as follows: 

“Shall Platte County, solely for the purposes of establishing a community children’s services fund for the purpose of providing services to protect the well-being and safety of children and youth 19 years of age or less and to strengthen families, be authorized to levy a sales tax of one-quarter of one cent in Platte County.”