Drag Storytime event rallies supporters in northern Ont.
Many drag events worldwide have been met with opposition as of late and the same can be said in northern Ontario Saturday.
A ‘Drag Story Hour’ event where drag kings and queens read to children organized at a Sault Ste. Marie library was met with protesters but saw even more supporters.
Things outside of the library were tense for a time as protestors and supporters of the event clashed.
Some in opposition to the event said they believed it was about indoctrinating children.
One protester told CTV News that the library has items that violate Canada’s child pornography laws and that is why they were protesting.
“We want to protect kids against what’s illegally distributed in that library and with the advocation of them talking to kids about god knows what,” said Tim Coderre, one of the protestors in attendance.
Library officials said that local police dismissed the protestors’ claims about offensive material without reasonable grounds to act.
Protesters gathered outside of a Sault-area library to oppose a drag storytime event on Jan. 14/23. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)About a dozen people protested in opposition of Saturday’s Drag Story Hour.
Supporters of the event however, came out in numbers, there were easily five times more there in support of the event than those against it.
Those in support said the story hour it was not about spreading any kind of agenda; it was all just for fun.
“I’m very sad that there are people who still go about the world with these stereotypes in mind that come from absolutely nowhere,” said Amanda Zuke, one of the supporters at the event.
Many protesters that spoke with CTV News insisted that drag is sexualized and not for children – yet, a different scene was observed inside the library.
Ellie McGoldrick brought her daughters to the event and said the kids loved it.
“It was not sexualized at all. It was amazing because kids love to watch performers. They love colours, they love energy and jokes, they love fun and this is exactly what this was,” said McGoldrick.
“It was the perfect place for kids to be.”
Another child in attendance said, “I came because I like to listen to a story and I like respect.”
Drag performers Fortune Favours and Luke Gore-Shadow at Drag Story Hour in Sault Ste. Marie on Jan. 14/23. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)The drag performers said they were thrilled by the support shown both inside and outside of the building.
“We’re here to give children and families a fun event to come out to,” said Luke Gore-Shadow, one of the drag performers.
“We’re here to make sure that everybody has a place where they can belong.”
“It’s just a costume like expression of gender expression,” said Fortune Favours, another performer.
“We’re just having fun with it so it’s very easy to make it family friendly.”
Many supporters of the Drag Story Hour braved sub-zero temperatures for hours outsider the library to show their support Saturday. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)Those in protest left the event in short order, while the 60 or more supporters remained outside the library for hours.
Officials said the event set Sault library attendance records.
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