Drag Storytime protest not deterring Sault allies
It's been a busy few days for organizers of a 'Drag Storytime' in Sault Ste. Marie after learning someone was planning to protest the event this weekend at one of the library branches.
"I got a message from some Sault Pride volunteers … sending me a screenshot of the post talking about protesting the story time and Sault Pride made their post about that," said organizer Ashley Aikens-McIntosh.
“This all happened Saturday night -- within 48 hours the amount of support has been overwhelming.”
The post comes from an individual who has connections to the Unity Centre, which also protested COVID-19 mandates and the vaccine.
Since the post, Aikens-McIntosh said she's been pleased to see the number of people stepping forward to help.
"Drag performers from other cities, I've had general members of the public, parents, members of the LGBTQ community, members of the ally community flooding my inbox with what can we do to support you," she said.
It's not their first performance at the library. They've performed at the Centennial branch before, so it's unclear to them why this time was any different.
Drag storytime started seven years ago and has since dramatically increased in their popularity. Aikens-McIntosh said the closest comparison she can think of is something similar to Mrs. Doubtfire.
It was a way for the 2SLGBTQ+ community to advocate inclusivity and acceptance.
Creators started it to provide diverse role models within the community.
"I've done some drag storytimes before, online during the pandemic and they never really got this big," said Rebekah Gwynn, another performer.
"The attendance was usually pretty low, there was never any negativity around it so it was only known in a few select spaces. But I got my drag start in Hamilton, where a lot of the queens have gotten similar reactions there. Someone had to postpone a drag brunch because someone brought a weapon."
"I got pretty nervous. My determination to attend never swayed," they continued.
"This just solidifies the reason why we have to do it … we're not teaching kids anything. We're not pushing ideologies. It doesn't surprise me but it does disappoint me that people could be against something like that."
The support has spread to all facets of the city including Sault Ste. Marie council, which passed a motion to support the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library's programming and the inclusion of drag storytime.
The motion, which was introduced by Coun. Angela Caputo, passed unanimously.
Sault Ste. Marie Public Library released a statement in support of the organizers and the Pride Community, writing, in part:
'BASELESS ALLEGATIONS'
"Most arguments against Drag Storytimes contain baseless allegations and are born from ignorance about the topic. The best way to combat this is through education and by exposing the public to the variety of diverse peoples, cultures and values that make up our community. This is what a Drag Storytime is designed to do."
CEO Matthew MacDonald said these events are about diversity and inclusivity, two of the library's strongest values.
"This protest is being held by a group that purports to stand for freedom, but in fact is promoting intolerance, in contradiction to the very definition of freedom,” said Sault Pride, in the statement it issued on its Facebook page.
“Some of the performers involved and many attendees are members of our larger Sault Pride community and identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ or allies. We stand with them in the face of this display of hatred and intolerance and we draw from it the resolve to continue being the queer-positive, inclusive presence that Sault Pride has come to be in the 10 years we’ve been holding Pridefest in Sault Ste. Marie, while we remind ourselves that there is still so much more work to do."
CTV News also reached out to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, which said it’s reaching out to all parties. Police are aware of the social media posts and said it will be monitoring the situation.
Organizers are planning to go ahead with the event.
While they say lots of progress has been made in combatting homophobia and transphobia, Aikens-McIntosh says there's always more work that can always be done.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.