Dancers Allegedly Targeted with Slurs During Comogo Parade

Golden Guys dance team says they faced harassment and items thrown at them during the annual event.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Golden Guys dance team says they experienced harassment and had items thrown at them by some paradegoers during this year's Comogo parade in Plaquemine, Louisiana. Team member Payden Moore described feeling fear and being targeted with anti-gay slurs as the parade moved out of the downtown area. While parade organizers expressed regret over the incident, they say they do not control the large crowds at the annual event. The Plaquemine Police Chief said no formal complaints have been filed, but they will investigate if any are submitted.

Why it matters

The alleged harassment and targeting of the dance team raises concerns about inclusivity and safety at community events. While parade organizers say they cannot control large crowds, the incident highlights the need for better security measures and a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and violence at family-friendly parades.

The details

According to Payden Moore, a member of the Golden Guys dance team, the parade started off well with the team receiving cheers from the crowd. However, as the parade moved out of the downtown area, some paradegoers began throwing items at the dancers and hurling anti-gay slurs at them. Moore said he felt a level of fear he hadn't experienced since childhood, worried about being hit in the head by the objects being thrown.

  • The Comogo parade took place on February 18, 2026.

The players

Payden Moore

A member of the Golden Guys dance team who experienced the alleged harassment during the Comogo parade.

Earl Comeaux

The chairman of the Comogo parade, who expressed regret over the incident and said the organizers do not control the large crowds at the event.

Stephen Engolio

The Plaquemine Police Chief, who said no formal complaints have been filed but the department will investigate if any are submitted.

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What they’re saying

“Gay things, like the f-word or like 'hey, are y'all gay' and stuff like that, which is dumb because we're just guys dancing, you know, every guy can dance.”

— Payden Moore, Golden Guys dance team member (wbrz.com)

“I hadn't felt fear like that, since before they outlawed dodgeball in elementary school, really, the amount of stuff that was being thrown at us, the worry that I was going to get hit in the head.”

— Payden Moore, Golden Guys dance team member (wbrz.com)

“Definitely would be nice to see them be a little more active and make sure that people aren't getting so wild at a family-friendly parade.”

— Payden Moore, Golden Guys dance team member (wbrz.com)

“We're very sorry that it happened. We wish it wouldn't have, but we do not control the crowd. The city of Plaquemine has 5,500 residents; we probably had 70,000 people at the parade, very unfortunate.”

— Earl Comeaux, Comogo parade chairman (wbrz.com)

“They are out here to have a good time, to entertain a crowd, and to raise money for the children's hospital, what else could you want from a group of guys to do?”

— Earl Comeaux, Comogo parade chairman (wbrz.com)

What’s next

The Plaquemine Police Department has stated they will investigate the incident if any formal complaints are filed.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for better security measures and a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and violence at community events. Parade organizers must work to ensure the safety and inclusivity of all participants, even when facing large unruly crowds.