Pastor equates Drag Queen Bingo event to ‘moral rot’

BELEN—A bingo game that will raise money for an end-of-year banquet for Belen city employees has garnered criticism from local pastors because the featured entertainment will be drag queens.

The Belen Employees Appreciation Committee, a group of employees who raises money for the banquet each year, is hosting the event, and is renting the Belen Business Center.

The Drag Bingo fundraiser is scheduled from 2-5 p.m., Saturday, July 26, and will feature bingo, concessions, performances and prizes. The event is for ages 18 and older.

When word got out that the event was being held, many ministers in the Belen area called Belen City Councilor Rudy Espinoza, who is also a pastor at Christian Faith Chapel in Belen.

Greg MacPherson, pastor at In His Presence Ministries Church in Belen, spoke during the public comment portion of Monday night’s council meeting, saying he was disappointed in the theme of the event.

“I’ve been in this community for 20-plus years,” MacPherson said. “I love this community. I’ve raised my kids in this community.”

MacPherson told the city council when he returned from a trip last week, he saw a social media post that seemed as though the city was supporting the Drag Bingo event.

“I want to thank the city so much for not supporting it,” he said. “It was advertised in such a way that it appeared you were part of that.

“I want to say that we, here in Belen, are very much a community that supports family values. I would encourage us to stand up for things that are against the family and stand up for things for the family.”

MacPherson read from the Book of Proverbs 28, verses 1-2, “The wicked run away when no one is chasing them. With the Godly as bold as lions. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. The wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.”

The local pastor told the governing body that he prays God will “continue to bring them wise and good decisions that affect us.”

Other pastors were in attendance at the meeting but did not speak.

Summer Ludwig, who is a member of the Belen Employee Appreciation Committee, also spoke during public comment, saying the event is a fundraiser for the city employees and not a city-sponsored event.

“If it’s not your cup of tea, please don’t go,” Ludwig said. “But if it is, we’d love to have you there. As someone who is part of the LGBTQUI community in our city, and I have many friends as well, I would just caution folks that when you speak out about these things, you’re most likely speaking about someone you love.”

Ludwig said hearing things like “moral rot” is offensive and it says a lot about that person.

“I hope others can be inclusive and welcoming,” she said, “and if there’s something that you don’t want to attend, just don’t attend it. But there are a lot of different people and lifestyles in our city and we should be welcoming to everyone.”

During the council comments at the end of Monday’s meeting, Espinoza said a total of 16 local pastors, other church members and members of the community called him concerned about the event.

“I think there was some confusion,” Espinoza said. “The drag queen event has nothing to do with the mayor or the council. Like any other group, they can rent the facility and can have these types of gatherings.

“I know it’s disturbing to some people, and I want to be sensitive as well,” he said. “What they’re doing in not illegal.”

The councilor said, speaking as a pastor, the community needs to come together as a community and work together.

“We, meaning everybody,” he said. “I don’t mean going out there and do anything, I’m talking about if you feel the need to pray, come together and pray.”

While Belen Mayor Robert Noblin didn’t address the issue during the meeting, he did send a statement to the News-Bulletin.

“As mayor, I want to be clear that the city council does not have the legal authority to cancel such an event,” Noblin wrote. “We are a nonpartisan body, and it is not our role to engage in or judge matters rooted in personal beliefs or politically charged opinions. At a time when our attention is needed on infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and city services, I believe it is important to stay focused on the work that moves Belén forward. That remains our highest priority.”