An influential conservative Christian lobbying group in Boise falsely claimed that a drag performer indecently exposed himself during a performance in North Idaho, a judge ruled last week.
But the judge said whether the false statements were defamatory would have to be determined by a jury.
The drag performer, Eric Posey, last year sued the Idaho Family Policy Center for making false claims about his performance during a 2022 Pride in the Park festival in Coeur d’Alene. Following the event, the group launched a petition called “Protect Children from Drag Shows” that included a photo of Posey with his crotch blurred. In an email to its supporters on the petition, it said Posey had “danced provocatively in women’s panties” and some observers reporter that he “exposed his genitals” to a crowd that included children. Videos backed up their claim, the group wrote.
“For what it’s worth, ldaho Family Policy Center has reviewed the unedited footage and can confirm it portrays public exposure of the performer’s genitalia,” read the September 2022 email, signed by president Blaine Conzatti.
In a podcast the group also posted, Ada County resident Josh Bales made a similar claim: “His genitals actually came out of his underwear at one point,” he said, according to the complaint and previous Statesman reporting.
In the ruling Friday, 4th Judicial District Judge Patrick Miller said those statements, along with the allegation that the performer danced in women’s panties, were false....
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