A planned "kid-friendly drag bingo" event at Thew Brewing Company in Cedar Rapids has some people in eastern Iowa concerned.

The event is a fundraiser for Tanager Place in Cedar Rapids with proceeds funding a LGBTQ prom event for kids later this year.

Thew brewmaster Chris Flenker says much of the criticism has been hateful and threatening comments online. He says some people have resorted to writing false reviews, claiming the brewery promotes pedophilia.

"We just want to show love and support to everybody," said Flenker.

Many supporters of the event and Thew rallied on Facebook, posting positive reviews that praised the brewery as welcoming and supportive.

A manager with the brewery tells TV9 they have held drag bingo events in the past, but what makes this one different is it is the first time they have also invited kids.

"It's not the kids who are going to be drag queens or anything like that," said Flenker.

Joan Hackbarth, the director of advancement for Tanager Place, says around 200 area students are expected to attend the prom the event is supporting.

"The inclusivity of a program such as a prom for the LBGTQ community provides not only the children that identify with that community but also their allies and others to be apart of a very safe and inclusive program," said Hackbarth.

Jenn Olsen of Cedar Rapids saw the post online advertising the event and says, while she condemns any efforts people have made to malign the brewery online, she has concerns about the bingo event.

"I think sexualizing our youth in any way shape or form, whether it be hetero-sexualization, or gay, lesbian, bi-sexualization is a very slippery slope with our youth and the parents need to be careful," said Olsen.

A manger with Thew tells TV9 the event was originally supposed to be private, just for kids and their families attending the prom, but they made it public after others decided they too wanted to be involved.

Editor’s note: This article was edited to include more detail about the criticism Thew Brewery received online.