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LEBANON, Ind. — REAL News Central Indiana has learned Boone County’s premier venue for drag shows is set to close down at the end of the month. According to the owners of the Echo Room located in Lebanon, the venue’s last day of operations with be August 31st. While the venue is for adults only, the owner and her business have been mired in controversy for hosting drag queens who have historically performed shows in front of children. However, owner Danielle Hoffman decided to blame the closure of her business on “safety” concerns for the “queens” they have hired.
“With very heavy hearts we need to let everyone know that this Saturday the 17th (later changed to August 31st) will be Lebanon’s last Drag Show at Echo Room. We have made this decision for the safety of our staff, queens and customers. While we have been silent for quite some time, we can only ignore all the negativity for so long.” A post from the Echo Room to Facebook reads.
Hoffman, who owns and operates local businesses such as Pizza King, That Sports Bar and the Echo Room recently opened a concessions stand inside The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse, making food for children. On top of hosting drag shows at the Echo Room featuring drag queens who have historically performed in front of children, she also reportedly operated a page on the pornographic site known as Onlyfans as recently as 2021.
Hoffman unabashedly posts pictures and videos of the sexualized acts from Echo Room drag shows on social media for anyone, including children, to see.
At least one drag queen who Hoffman frequently books to perform at The Echo Room is a man who uses the stage name Brooklyn Burroughs. Burroughs was seen performing for children at a Westfield pride event in which kids gave him and others cash tips as they danced provocatively in front of them. Burroughs has also taken to social media to defend drag shows for kids.
Social media posts made by Hoffman also show she was reportedly involved with amateur pornography on the website known as Onlyfans. In a 2021 post to a Facebook page dedicated to promoting amateur pornography, Hoffman wrote, “Pretty new to this looking for subs (subscriptions),” with a link to her alleged amateur pornography page. The page now appears to have been taken down.
Hoffman is originally from South Bend and moved to Lebanon 7-8 years ago. Her mother was the owner of a South Bend bar known as Cheers Pub, which recently came under fire for a massive underage drinking scandal.
While The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse in Lebanon is offering some activities for adults, representatives of the business, including Max Hankins, have frequently referred to it as a “youth sports complex.” The website for the facility offers youth sports, field trips and hires high school aged children.
RNCI reached out to Hankins for comment regarding the partnership. He never responded.
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