Onya Mann, a drag queen who lives in the small town of Pacolet, South Carolina, was driving home when she was stopped at a check point by police. She was a little nervous, she says, because she was in drag since she was coming home from a RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party.
Mann says that she’s been called names by police officers in Dallas and Charlotte and worried about how the police in the town with a population of 2235 would react when they saw her in lingerie and leather boots.
It turns out that she was treated nicely by the officers. Mann told WYFF that they were interested in her work, and the officer that approached her car even asked a couple of his colleagues to come talk to her.
Mann was so surprised that she posted on Facebook, saying, “I couldn’t have been more wrong! I would like to thank the Pacolet Police Department for being incredibly kind and reassuring me that I am safe in my town and that they support me and are very progressive. I’m proud to call the town of Pacolet my home!”
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
The Pacolet Police Department appreciated the compliment. ““We appreciate your kind words, Brandon [James, the government name of Onya Mann]. The Police Department takes pride in putting our community first. No matter your race, sex, income status or sexual orientation. We serve and protect you. Everyone is welcome in Pacolet, South Carolina, aside from the criminals. They usually don’t enjoy their stay.”
Local news even covered the story:
It’s great that the police treated her well, and other police departments could learn from this.
