Controversial Lawsuit Over Drag Story Hour Dismissed, But Not Over
The legal battle surrounding a series of Drag Story Hour events has taken a new turn as a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Washoe County’s library system and an LGBTQ+ community group. The lawsuit, filed by Republican Assembly candidate Drew Ribar, focused on his exclusion from these events, which were targeted towards young children and their families.
Federal District Court Judge Anne Traum issued the dismissal on December 29, stating, “In any amended complaint, Mr. Ribar must include factual allegations in the body of the complaint, clearly identifying what each individual defendant did that violated his rights, and refrain from simply attaching voluminous exhibits.”
Ribar’s lawsuit stemmed from his attempts to film the Drag Story Hour events, which were organized by Our Center and held at local libraries. His access to the library was subsequently suspended for a year. Ribar alleged that this action infringed upon his First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
Ribar, known for his YouTube channel Auditing Reno 911, has been a vocal critic of the library system’s LGBTQ+ content and initiatives, as highlighted in his ongoing campaign.
Stacey Spain, executive director of Our Center, expressed relief at the court’s ruling and emphasized their focus on supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the decision, the group continues to host the Drag Story Hour events privately after the county canceled them at public libraries.
“We’re relieved that this chapter is over,” Spain commented. Meanwhile, a library spokesperson opted to remain silent on the matter.
Although Judge Traum dismissed all 14 claims Ribar filed against the county and the nonprofit, she left the door open for most of them to be amended. Ribar confirmed through an emailed statement to KUNR that he is already working on revisions, stating, “This is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Ribar’s activities extend beyond the courtroom, as he has publicly accused the legal representatives of Washoe County and Our Center of deceit, sharing their details online. His actions have incited threats against them, prompting Our Center attorney Rachel Wise to seek a temporary restraining order.
An email Wise received after Ribar shared her information online began with a threatening tone: “Hey c***! Apparently you don’t like transparency you might want to rethink that, you b****! Everyone knows where you work and now everyone knows where you live.”
Ribar’s online conduct might ultimately undermine his legal efforts. Judge Traum previously issued a restraining order against him, restricting contact with defense attorneys and requiring a log of his videos about them. She noted, “Intimidating litigants and defense counsel appears to be Mr. Ribar’s goal, as evidenced by his unwillingness to de-escalate or end a confrontation, even when the other person expressed feeling threatened or attempted to disengage.”
