JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local brewery in San Marco, Tepeyolot Cerveceria — better known as Tepey’s — is on edge after receiving multiple emails and phone calls from a known hate group concerning a drag brunch it is hosting this weekend.
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According to a flyer online, Sleigh the Holidays Drag Brunch is scheduled for this Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Action News Jax spoke with Joe Lapointe, who is a bartender at the brewery.
He said the brewery throws such events every month at around the same time, typically without any problems.
“We’ve had good turnouts for it, people love it,” Lapointe said.
But some don’t. Action News Jax received emails from management at Tepey’s.
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The owner didn’t want to talk on camera, but said he had received emails from who he believes to be “the Proud Boys.”
An email sent to the owner last week said: “Your drag show is listed as an all-age sent. If you don’t want the Proud Boys from across the country to show up at your doorstep I highly suggest you change it to 18 plus.”
Lapointe said he had received a few phone calls about the event.
“Nothing pleasant, they said they are going to demand things. They said they are going to come out and protest, which legally they are able to do. I’m just sorry they feel that way,” Lapointe said.
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One caller told him: “We don’t have no problem with drag shows. We do have a problem with groomers sexualizing children”.
But Lapointe said there was one call in particular that was very disturbing.
“The other day I got a couple of calls. Nothing too crazy, just them voicing their opinion and all that. However, when I was about to get off, I did receive a phone call saying we deserve to be shot,” Lapointe said.
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The brewery’s management said they have notified JSO about the threatening call. They are expecting a police presence around Tepey’s for the brunch on Sunday.