Drag queen school board vice president arrested on child pornography

I know what you're thinking. Did those work New Yorkers elect this guy to be Vice President of their School Board knowing he was a Drag Queen. I had Claude do a little research and am happy to report "yes"!

I love the fact that children are being exposed to gender fluidity. Well done!

Travis Barr-Longo wasn't hired or promoted by the school board. He was elected by Cazenovia voters to a 3-year term in May of 2024, and serves (or served) as vice president of the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education in New York. A school board seat is an elected office, not a staff position, so there was no hiring or promotion decision by the board to make. The Jewish Voice

As for whether his drag persona was known: yes, publicly and prominently. He performed under the name "Anita Buffem" and often references his stage persona in media appearances and speaking events, and is frequently described as the first drag performer elected to a school board. He founded Cazenovia Pride Fest in 2021 and was open about this identity as part of his public profile, so it wasn't hidden from voters when he ran.

Drag queen school board vice president arrested on child pornography and endangerment charges

Travis Longo resigned from school board after arrest

By Kristine Parks Fox News

Published June 23, 2026 11:31am EDT

A New York school board vice-president who called himself the first drag queen elected to a public school board has been arrested on charges of sexual misconduct against children.

Travis Barr Longo, 46, was arrested by the New York State Police following an investigation into allegations that he engaged in a pattern of sexually explicit digital communications with a child under the age of 12. Longo, who serves as vice president of the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education, faces four counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Longo made a virtual federal court appearance on Saturday on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The district is located in the center of New York state.

Investigators uncovered "numerous images and videos of child pornography" during a search of Longo's cell phone on June 18, "including several videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants that Longo had received from other users of an internet-based messaging application," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.

According to court records obtained by WSYR-TV, police also "recovered other chats on the device in which Longo discussed with other individuals his sexual interest in children, including a minor male child known to him and to whom he has had access."

If convicted, Longo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison.

Longo was elected to a three-year term on the school board in May 2024.

In media appearances and speaking events, he often references his stage persona, Anita Buffem, and is frequently described as the first drag performer elected to a school board.

Following the announcement of the charges, the Cazenovia Board of Education issued a statement demanding Longo’s immediate resignation. Longo resigned from the board on Monday evening, according to a post by Cazenovia Schools Superintendent Kevin Linck.

The board had said in a statement before his resignation that it had intended to pursue his removal.

"The Board of Education has been shocked, deeply saddened, and outraged by these serious allegations, and we extend our support and assistance to all children and families involved," the statement continued. "Our response reflects the Board of Education’s deep and unwavering commitment to every child’s safety, and well being. Our charge to protect every student in our District is our moral and ethical duty, along with a responsibility to the sworn oath that is our legal obligation."

The Cazenovia Board of Education unanimously voted on Monday evening to begin proceedings to remove Longo from the board. Longo then resigned. (Jeffrey Basinger/Newsday RM via Getty Images))

"We stand strong in condemning these alleged actions, while also acknowledging that it is the responsibility of the judicial system to determine guilt or innocence. We appreciate all of the hard work of law enforcement, and their partnership with us in protecting our students," the board's statement continued.

The Cazenovia Board of Education did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.