On October 22, Pride Alliance along with Queer and Trans People of Color Society (QTPOCS), the Campus Center, and the Wellness Center, hosted Drag Queen Sex Toy Bingo, a night of “Bingo Gone Wild & Fabulous!”

Doors opened at 6:30 p.m. for ticket holders and those without came back around 7:30 p.m. to a packed room. A total of 275 students attended the event, making each table packed with people. The queens present at the event were Diva Divine Monroe and Kirby.

Prior to the event, there was backlash from parents about the nature of the occassion. A concerned parent emailed Jeff Wakemen, the Director of Student Development, about her disapproval of such an event happening on campus after her daughter sent her an image of the flyer. Wakemen’s email reply to the parent read, “It is intended as a voluntary educational and wellness-focused program designed for adult college students. […] While the event title can sound provocative, its purpose is educational rather than promotional or explicit in nature.” 

This was then posted to an X account @LibsofTikTok, an account known for its MAGA political standing. The posts contained images of the drag queens that were not used in the promotional material, and one of the posts said, “Sent to me by a follower. Stockton University is hosting a Sex Toy Bingo event, featuring THESE drag queens. This is a public university funded by YOUR TAX DOLLARS.”

The comments under the posts were calling for Wakemen to be fired or for him to resign, and how Stockton should be defunded for allowing this kind of event to go on.

“I was trying to be helpful to a parent who was asking questions, I didn’t want to be doxed, but after the initial shock and making all my social media private was over, it really just amounted to name calling on the internet.” Wakemen said. “Everyone at the university was extremely supportive, I’m thankful for all the support including all my bosses and the students/alumni who reached out and defended me online.”

“Now more than ever, it is essential to celebrate and uplift queer art and culture. In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged and restricted across the country, visibility and support are acts of solidarity and resistance. Even this very show faced online backlash—people calling it ‘disgusting,’ ‘inappropriate,’ and even ‘evil.’ But that outrage only proves why drag matters. Drag is joy. Drag is self-expression. Drag is authenticity and acceptance. There is nothing shameful about art that celebrates individuality, and there is nothing wrong with being exactly who you are. The art of drag reminds us that being true to yourself is powerful—and that, in itself, is revolutionary,” said Diva Divine Monroe.

Despite all the public backlash the event received, many students had an amazing time playing bingo, winning prizes, and watching drag queens in action. One attendee, Stephanie Espinoza-Abreu stated, “I’ve never felt so safe to be queer and silly like I did that night and it was the most fun I had in a while!”