Marshfield Common Council Hears Debate From Residents Regarding June 21st Pride Event in Wenzel Plaza

Thursday, August 14th, 2025 -- 9:00 AM

(Sirena Mankins, Editor of Hub City Times) Area residents addressed the Marshfield Common Council on Tuesday night in a debate over whether Pride events featuring drag performances should continue in public spaces, focusing on a June 21 event at Wenzel Family Plaza that Ray LeBlanc and other opponents claim violated state law.

According to Sirena Mankins, Editor of the Hub City Times, LeBlanc, who previously threatened to sue the city over the downtown Pride event at the July 8 council meeting, led opposition speakers in citing Wisconsin statute protections for children while supporters defended the performances as constitutionally protected artistic expression.

He cited a state statute during public comment, arguing the Pride event exposed children to inappropriate content. The statute makes it a felony to intentionally cause children to view sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of sexual arousal or humiliation.

"This is not going to go away," LeBlanc said, referencing his continued "protect the children" campaign. "More and more states are addressing this issue." Dottie Schnitzler described witnessing children being handed bills to tip drag performers at the plaza, arguing children are "very impressionable" and such events should be held "behind closed doors."

Other speakers defended the event as protected artistic expression, with several citing First Amendment protections and the economic benefits to local businesses.

Caylub Engevold, who performs as drag queen Katherine Karmavich, called the repeated challenges "ridiculous" and noted adults-only drag shows are held behind closed doors, with only two or three family-friendly shows per year.

"I'm just trying to produce a safe space in town for LGBTQ community members and allies," Engevold said, warning that denying events could lead to ACLU involvement regarding First Amendment rights. “Please continue letting us represent ourselves and be safe where we truly want to be.”

Kevin and Megan Craig, Stevens Point residents who attended the June 21 event, described a family-friendly atmosphere and criticized protesters who gathered with signs telling children "they should be ashamed of who they are."

Megan Craig argued any ban on drag would constitute "a clear First Amendment violation" and emphasized that parents should determine what's appropriate for their children, not the government.

City Attorney Harold Wolfgram provided a detailed legal analysis directly addressing LeBlanc's statute violation claims. After consulting with the police chief and reviewing evidence from the June 21 event, Wolfgram concluded no violation occurred.

"There's been no evidence that there's been an exposure of intimate body parts," Wolfgram said, explaining the statute requires intentional exposure for sexual arousal or humiliation. "Based on the information I have, it's my opinion that there was no violation of that statute." Wolfgram clarified that law enforcement was present at the plaza during the event and properly monitored the situation.

Andrew Spencer, an area theater director, cited drag's historical precedent dating back centuries and compared opposition to the performances with acceptance of similar content on television.

"It's extremely hypocritical," Spencer said. "We were more progressive in the 1950s than we are in 2025." Council members offered limited immediate reaction to the ongoing dispute.

The council scheduled closed session discussion items but announced no immediate policy changes.

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