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Gay rights supporters, drag queens greet VP Pence in Columbus

Vice President visit to Columbus happens to be day before gay pride festival  drawing hundreds of thousands to city.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

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By Laura A. Bischoff
June 15, 2018
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Several hundred protesters, including some drag queens, staged a “Big LGBTQ Dance Party” on Gay Street in Columbus, adjacent to where Vice President Mike Pence was slated to deliver a talk on Friday.

The protesters trolled Pence, known for his anti-LBGTQ views, with signs, chants and a doppelganger who goes by the stage name ‘Mike Hot-Pence.’

Counter protesters carrying anti-abortion, anti-homosexuality and anti-adultery signs were outnumbered and stood mainly on the sidelines as dozens of Columbus police officers stood by to keep order.

“We are here celebrating love and equality and diversity in our community and Mike Pence decided this is the week he was going to come and speak in Columbus, Ohio and we’re saying ‘Not on our doorstep will we have hate, amongst all of our love,’” said Nick Moberg, a drag queen who goes by the stage name ‘Amanda Sue.’ “We are here celebrating and dancing. That’s what we do — come together and we are stronger together and we show love.”

Pence talked about immigration, taxes, North Korea, immigration and other issues during his Columbus visit.

He was introduced by Attorney General Mike DeWine, who is running for governor.

At the forum, Pence said that “any immigration bill must contain funding for the wall.”

He said that Democrats don’t want to fix a broken system.

Pence also praised President Donald Trump for his recent summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“It resulted in a bold first step. North Korea’s leader agreed to complete denuclearization,” Pence said.

Several protesters were removed from inside the venue as Pence spoke.

Related: Kasich and Portman talk about gay rights

ExploreA dozen drag queens and hundreds of protestors greeted Vice President Mike Pence in Columbus with a "Big LGBTQ Dance Party" on Friday. Pence was slated to talk about tax cuts. Laura A. Bischoff/Laura A. Bischoff

The dance party outside came on the eve of the Columbus Pride Parade, which is expected to draw several hundred thousand participants.

Pence opposes same sex marriage, anti-discrimination laws to protect gays, and homosexuals serving in the military.

Related: Activists hold "queer dance party" outside Pence house

A dozen drag queens and hundreds of protestors greeted Vice President Mike Pence in Columbus with a "Big LGBTQ Dance Party" on Friday. Pence was slated to talk about tax cuts.

Credit: Laura Bischoff

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Credit: Laura Bischoff

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Laura Bischoff is our Columbus bureau reporter and covers politics and state government. She keeps a close eye on elected leaders, public employees and taxpayer money. Bischoff tries to write stories that inform voters, hold leaders accountable and strengthen democracy.