Was the Milwaukee County Children's Court judge arrested on seven counts of child porn also the former president of Drag Queen Story Hour Foundation? No, that's not true. Children's Court Judge Brett Blomme was arrested on seven counts of child porn in Milwaukee on March 16, 2021. But, he was not the president of the Drag Queen Story Hour Milwaukee branch. Blomme was formerly the president of a local charity organization that provided nonprofit banking services for the local Drag Queen Story Hour organization.
The claim appeared as an article published by Gateway Pundit on March 18, 2021, titled "BREAKING: Former President of Drag Queen Story Hour Foundation and Children's Court Judge Arrested on Seven Counts of Child Porn" (archived here) which opened:
A Milwaukee County Children's Court judge and former president and CEO of the Cream City Foundation, which runs the city's drag queen story hour program, has been arrested on seven counts of child pornography. Brett Blomme, 38, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly uploading 27 images and videos of children being sexually abused on the...
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BREAKING: Former President of Drag Queen Story Hour Foundation and Children's Court Judge Arrested on Seven Counts of Child Porn
A Milwaukee County Children's Court judge and former president and CEO of the Cream City Foundation, which runs the city's drag queen story hour program, has been arrested on seven counts of child pornography. Brett Blomme, 38, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly uploading 27 images and videos of children being sexually abused on the...
Cream City Foundation provided "fiscal sponsorship," which is when an established charitable foundation with 501(c)(3) status under the IRS code helps a new or small charitable project by processing donations so that donors get tax deductions, processing payments and carrying out other back-office services. A foundation providing fiscal sponsorship does not necessarily contribute its own foundation funds to the project and the recipient of fiscal sponsorship sometimes pays for the banking and administrative services.
The Gateway Pundit article incorrectly claims the judge arrested on child porn charges was in charge of the organization that "runs the Milwaukee Drag Queen Story Hour for local children." The Cream City Foundation does not run the Drag Queen Story Hour Milwaukee Branch, which publicly announced Blomme has never performed with them nor held an office in the Story Hour group.
Blomme had left the Cream City Foundation in 2020 when he was elected judge.
The foundation "mobilizes philanthropic resources by harnessing the pride, passion, and commitment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies," according to its website. All of the posts on the Foundation's website have been removed as of March 23, 2021, and only a message about Blomme's arrest was posted there:
The Cream City Foundation is deeply troubled, angered and shocked to learn of the allegations involving our former CEO, Brett Blomme. Cream City Foundation categorically denounces the actions he is accused of as abhorrent and totally contrary to the values that Cream City Foundation holds dear. We are deeply concerned about the young victims of all child sex crimes and we reiterate our commitment to the safety and well-being of all youth in our community. Cream City Foundation remains committed to serving the LGBTQ+ community."
Jonathan Hamilt, executive director of Drag Queen Story Hour told Lead Stories via telephone that there was no connection between Blomme and DQSH. "It is really disappointing that he is linked to us; it is false information," Hamilt said and emailed a statement from the organization. It read:
We are deeply saddened and disappointed to learn about the actions of Judge Brett Blomme.
While Cream City Foundation has served as DQSH Milwaukee's fiscal sponsor (allowing DQSH Milwaukee to receive funds as a non-profit), the relationship is strictly financial: Cream City Foundation does not direct or influence the content of our programming, and Brett Blomme has never held a position within DQSH Milwaukee nor participate directly in planning, organizing, or hosting any of our events either with our Milwaukee Chapter or on a national level.
DQSH Milwaukee has never been run by the Cream City Foundation nor Brett Blomme, neither have either participated in planning, organizing, hosting or performing at any of our events. Brett has never held a title or position within our organization ever. Cream City Foundation has only ever been a fiscal sponsor that allows DQSH Milwaukee to give and receive funds as a non-profit. Asides from financials, they have had no part in DQSH Milwaukee & DQSH HQ.DQSH Milwaukee is cutting all ties with Cream City Foundation as their acting fiscal sponsor.
As the leaders of DQSH Milwaukee & DQSH HQ, we absolutely condemn pedophilia, We are angry and outraged by Brett's actions. Pedophilia has no place in the LGBT community and no place in society as a whole.Drag Queen Story Hour is an organization dedicated to creating safe inclusive spaces for children and their families. All of our in-network drag storytellers are required to have background checks.
If you or anyone you know is the victim of child abuse we ask you reach out to the National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-422-4453.
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