CHENEY – A show by a singer who identifies as non-binary will perform at this year's Sedgwick County Fair.
That was the decision by the Sedgwick County Fair Board at a meeting in Cheney on Wednesday night.
Hunter Gromala and their band were contracted to perform on the Fair's opening night on July 12. After that show and the other shows scheduled that week were announced on social media, a backlash against Gromala started on social media.
Some of commenters thought that the Fair was bringing in a transgender performer to do a drag show, which organizers said last week was not accurate. Many commenters said scheduling a non-binary performer is not compatible with their social and religious beliefs, and that it is not a fit with the Fair itself. A number said they would be skipping this year's Fair, or possibly never attending again.
Other commenters stated their support for Gromala and the performance. They said people from all walks of life should feel welcome, as performers and as attendees. If a particular event is not for them, they said, people should just skip that event. 
Gromala, who uses they/them pronouns, said they identify as non-binary, and that they are not a trans individual. Their identity is not part of their show, they said.
The fair association had scheduled a meeting for June 13 to discuss the situation, but that meeting was canceled after the association's legal counsel was unavailable to attend. The postponement led to a new round of online criticism against the fair association. 
Most of the meeting was held in executive session. Following Kansas open meeting laws, the first executive session was for client-attorney privilege. Several following executive sessions were held to discuss non-elected personnel. Those sessions included Gromala, their band members, and an advocate for Gromala.
When the meeting returned to open session, the Fair's board members voted unanimously to continue with the show. The board members than voted unanimously to release a statement that had been crafted during the executive sessions with Gromala.
Attorney Austin Parker read the statement.
“There has been significant conversation concerning the circumstances surrounding Hunter’s engagement, and the Board wants to restate that Hunter and Hunter’s band are welcome performers at the Fair. The Board maintains its longstanding practice and procedure not to discriminate against anyone, whether they are a guest, volunteer or performer at the Fair’s events.
“Hunter and Hunter’s band are committed to a performance that carries on the Fair’s tradition of hosting safe, family-friendly events that are welcoming to all, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. To be clear, the performance is not a drag show, and is not sexually explicit in any way, shape or form. It simply consists of a pop music singer performing music that is delivered in a package consistent with other popular music concerts at such venues as INTRUST Bank Arena.
“For reference, Hunter and Hunter’s band recently performed at the halftime show of the Wichita SkyKings, and at the Clearwater Art Walk. People interested in the context and content of similar performances by Hunter and Hunter’s band at these area public events are encouraged to visit Hunter’s business page on Instagram.”
Gromala answered questions after the meeting. 
“I think it was all just a big, kind of misunderstanding. A lot of people getting a lot of comments and reactions to things that weren't existing in the first place,” they said. “I'm glad that I got to come here today and get together, and kind of ask questions and listen, and we all came to realize that yes, we all do want this performance to happen. We want it to be safe and we want it to be a good time for everyone.”
When asked if they thought the show might not happen, Gromala said things were up in the air and that the parties did not have a chance to get together to communicate. The question, they said, was how to proceed.
“We were hired to make music and to make people happy,” they said. 
Gromala said they were happy coming out of the meeting and excited to have conversations about the issues at hand. 
Gromala offered a description of what their shows are like.
“I sing pop covers, mostly nostalgic. I like to say I do this for my inner child. I like to perform my set list for the little person singing in the back of the car,” they said, mentioning artists like Aerosmith, Lady Gaga and Adele.
Gromala described the meeting as a learning experience for everyone involved.
“The board might not have had to deal with this before, and I've never had to deal with any of this type of media coverage or questioning,” they said, adding that it was an open conversation. “We all just want to do our jobs and have a good time at the Fair.”
Gromala said that they have received a lot of positive comments and heard from many people who are looking forward to attending the show.
Following the joint statement from the fair board members and Gromala, TSnews was told that there would be no further statements from any of the board members.
Gromala's show will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Open Air Arena on the Sedgwick County Fairgrounds. The show follows the annual parade. Admission is free.