Wendy Napoles — the mother of Desmond is Amazing, an 11-year-old drag queen who infamously danced in a gay nightclub recently as adults threw dollar bills at the boy — said child protective services ruled that others' accusations of child abuse are "unfounded."
Desmond donned a blonde wig, high heels, a girl's crop top, and full make-up while dancing provocatively to No Doubt's "Just a Girl" at the 3 Dollar Bill club in Brooklyn in December — and an outcry ensued after the performance was shared on social media. According to the Brooklyn Paper, Napoles said "haters" filed more than 150 complaints with the city's Administration for Children's Services.
"We have been accused of child abuse, exploitation & maltreatment to the point that we have been backed into a corner trying to defend ourselves," Napoles wrote earlier this week on the Desmond is Amazing Instagram page, which she administers. "Recently a YouTube video was made stating that we should allow ACS (CPS) to investigate if we have nothing to hide. Which we have & we do not have anything to hide. We have been under a microscope since early December. I never thought I would have to breach my own privacy & confidentiality to provide proof that has been demanded of us out of malice."
To underscore her point, Napoles posted 10 images on Instagram showing two letters and envelopes from authorities exonerating her and presumably her husband, Andy — Desmond's father — who also supports the boy's drag pursuits.
More from Napoles' Instagram post:
ACS has investigated us thoroughly. Because of the number of reports they received, our case went all the way to the Governor's office. We had announced visits & unannounced visits to our home nearly daily & at all hours & Desmond's school. Our family was probed more intensely than any other case before. All allegations were "unfounded". Currently, we send screenshots of anyone encouraging others or admitting to contacting ACS to ACS to keep in our file. ACS is not a weapon. So many ACS resources could have gone to families that needed help. On the plus side, ACS has been offering us many support services.
In addition, we were investigated by the NYPD, the Child Advocacy Center, the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Department of Labor, and the District Attorney's office. No abuse or maltreatment was found. No regulations for child performers were broken. No illegal activity has occurred.
We endured countless posts & videos slandering our family by people who have never contacted us for the truth or watched Desmond's videos where he has spoken for himself. We put up with lies & rumors. We daily clear social media of hateful comments & messages. Someone has been messaging Desmond's followers to convince them of alleged abuse. We deal with hate crimes & death threats perpetuated by "concerned citizens" & have been stalked. The NYPD is assisting us. Desmond has extra security measures in place at his school. All of this because we allow Desmond to be himself & do what he loves. We are a loving and supporting family. Anyone who knows us or met us can attest to that.
Fallout
Desmond's social media page claims he's been traumatized by the whole process, according to San Diego Gay & Lesbian News.
"Imagine starting a new school as a well known public figure and queer kid," the page says, according to the outlet. "Then to have ACS, the NYPD, and other agencies show up to pull you out of class to talk to you several times a week. His grades have gone down ... He has cried many a night because he thought he did something wrong and blames himself for the constant hate and investigations. He feels so confused. ACS has provided him therapy."
What else?
Wendy and Andy Napoles not only support their son's drag pursuits but also have let him be featured in magazines and on websites, social media, and national television.
Desmond started dressing in girls clothing at a young age, but when he wanted to wear dresses outside the home his parents consulted a therapist who advised them to "allow Desmond to develop naturally," according to information on the Desmond is Amazing website.
Therefore, rather than ostracize, punish, or shame him, force him to play with certain toys, or restrict him to boys only costumes and clothing while playing dress up, Desmond's parents allowed him to inherently progress, explore, and choose his tastes in clothing, toys, and activities on his own. He had developed his gender identity as non-conforming, or gender fluid, as a young child. He is not, nor has the desire to become, transgender. From early on, he has said that he is a boy who enjoys dressing up as a girl.
Desmond "is already a notable LGBTQ activist and advocate," according to his website, and also founded Haus of Amazing — a drag house for kids — and is developing a magazine for LGBT youth he plans to call The Amaziest.
He also was a guest on ABC's "Good Morning America" recently. Here's that clip:
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