Story time with readers in drag have become targets of protests, and an upcoming event in southern Alberta is no exception.
Pride week drag story time is happening at the Taber Public Library on Saturday and organizers are bracing for protests.
“Unfortunately, we’ve received some backlash with a whole bunch of misinformation,” said Chantal West, co-chair of the Taber Equality Alliance, which is hosting the event.
“It’s not for those (people) to decide how others raise their children, if what one is doing is in the best interest of the kid and is not harming anyone.”
Organizers of the Taber protest say they want to “protect all children.”
Sarah Penner declined a Global News request for an interview, instead providing a statement.
“Quite simply, we don’t believe this is an event for children,” Penner’s statement reads in part.
“No matter how ‘innocent’ the opposition will make it sound, we believe it is too sexual in nature for our children.”
Taber Equality Alliance said the event only includes reading “age-appropriate” books to the audience of children, before raising the Pride flag at the library.
The two sides held a meeting in May to discuss their views, but it ended with both the reading and protest going ahead.
Those protesting say they want to keep it respectful.
The local pride community is hoping for the same as their events move forward.
“If they feel that that’s what they need to do, then (they’re) more than welcome to,” West said. “Just let’s keep everything peaceful and agree to disagree.”
The pushback is nothing new for drag readings in Canada. Cities like Calgary, Edmonton and Kelowna have all recently seen protests at events.
This all comes as the month of June marks Pride Month, a time to honour and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
Comments