Drag Performer Raises Funds in Response to Republican Campaign Ad

<p>A drag performer known as "Chlamydia Berns" is raising funds to counter a Republican campaign advertisement that features a photograph of him alongside Democratic congressional candidate Paige Cognetti.</p><p>Cognetti, the Democratic mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania, is running against Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan in the state's 8th Congressional District.</p><p>The controversy began when Bresnahan and the National Republican Congressional Committee released an advertisement earlier this month that criticizes Cognetti's record and political affiliations. The ad includes a photograph of Cognetti with Frank Carey, a local drag performer known as "Lady Lydia," and more provocatively, "Chlamydia Berns."</p><p>The image was taken during Scranton's 2025 Pride flag-raising ceremony, where Carey performed "Rainbow Connection," and was later shared on the city's social media accounts. The ad claims Cognetti is "a member of the radical group trying to force grown men in girls’ bathrooms and women’s sports."</p><p>In response, Carey initiated a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/not-a-political-prop-stand-with-lady-lydia-udzpd?utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;ts=1786748244&amp;utm_source=native_options&amp;utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demonyz7gdv0&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawTwKtFwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7_NJCS3P9wnaYw-6KA4ySyeB7ZfI3_xWbvxoP6aCrkVq5oIiJIbFjRQNyIXQ_aem_Vb4tFEARGCRCYdOpvxjuQA">GoFundMe campaign</a> that has raised over $2,000 for potential legal fees.</p><p>Carey stated on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/frank.carey.161/posts/pfbid02TXVrFoEB5ZYPaCEvJhzfTyFgaWyB7DXk9FktNzxLATTs7mCaq1i4z4mqBSm6Ky7Rl?rdid=MwFFI0fUssndeMWJ">Facebook</a>, "This was certainly never a situation I expected to find myself in, but sometimes you have to stand up and say enough is enough." He added, "This Queen isn’t going quietly."</p><p>Carey has indicated that the advertisement misrepresents him, clarifying that he is a man who performs in drag and does not identify as transgender. He supports transgender individuals but uses men's restrooms even while performing. He noted that he appeared as Lady Lydia, his "family-friendly" drag persona, at the Pride event, not as Chlamydia Berns. Local news coverage of the event confirmed that children were present.</p><p>The Republican campaign has defended the advertisement by emphasizing Carey's stage name. NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson stated, "Paige Cognetti owes voters answers for her voluntary association with activist groups who are pushing sex change surgeries for kids and why she chose to appear with someone who refers to themselves as ‘Chlamydia Berns’ at an event with small children present," according to the <a href="https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2026/08/17/drag-performer-upset-over-political-ad-that-used-photo/">Scranton Times-Tribune</a>.</p><p>Cognetti's campaign has not commented on the controversy despite multiple requests from local news organizations.</p><p>The issue has expanded beyond the advertisement, with Democratic allies highlighting photographs of Bresnahan participating in events with drag performers and LGBTQ-friendly organizations. Bresnahan and his wife attended a 2023 fundraiser for the KISS Theatre Company in Wilkes-Barre, where Carey was a member. Democrats have also circulated images of Bresnahan wearing <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/08/20/2026/in-pennsylvania-house-race-its-pink-heels-vs-drag-queens">bright pink heels at a breast cancer awareness event</a>.</p><p>Carey has expressed support for Cognetti but did not intend to become involved in the congressional race. He stated, "I know and support trans people," while emphasizing that drag performance and transgender identity are separate.</p><p>Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District includes Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike counties, as well as portions of Luzerne and Monroe counties. The Bresnahan campaign has leveraged the controversy to argue that Cognetti is too far left for the district.</p>