2022 drag performance protests

Since the January 6 United States Capitol attack, drag performances, particularly Drag Queen Story Hour, have been the target of alt-right protests in the US. In the second half of 2022, protests spread to the United Kingdom and towards the end of 2022, protests started in Canada, often met with counter-protests.[1]

Bardada de Barbades performing Drag Queen Story Time at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec in 2021

United States

Protests against drag performances, especially Drag Queen Story Hour (also known as Drag Story Hour) increased in the US after January 6 United States Capitol attack.[2] The most vocal protestors are mostly affiliated with alt-right groups.[2] Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested that drag events could "indoctrinate or sexualize" children.[2] Protestors also have expressed concern homophobic conspiracy theories that performers are grooming children.[3][4] The Anti-Defamation League reported that child abuse conspiracy theory has been fuelled by the Libs of TikTok far-right Twitter account.[4] US organisation, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation reported over 120 threats against drag shows in the US in 2022.[5] Flyers promoting protests to drag performances in the UK are shared in anti-vaccination themed Telegram groups.[6]

United Kingdom

In July 2022, far right groups protested Drag Queen Story Hour at Reading Central Library in Berkshire.[7][6] The event featured Sab Samuel performing in drag as Aida H Dee.[8] Subsequent protests occurred in Crewe, Bristol,[6] and at Glastonbury Public Library.[9] In August 2022, 50 protestors were met with about 300 counter-protestors outside a drag event at Oxfordshire County Library;[10] police kept the two groups separated.[10] Also in August 2022, a drag show featuring Matthew Cavan performing as drag queen Cherri Ontop in Belfast was the target of a protest.[8]

Canada

On November 23, 2022, people protested a drag storytelling event in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver.[11] On November 25, 2022, people protested outside a Hamilton Public Library facility.[3] The next day, Book Keeper independent book shop in Sarnia, was protested by men as it hosted its fourth Drag Queen Story Time event.[12] Also in November 2022, an event at Kelseys Original Roadhouse in Burlington, featuring Guelph drag queen Crystal Quartz was cancelled following threats made towards the restaurant.[13]

On December 19, 2022, fourteen protestors gathered outside Brockville Public Library in Ontario as it held its first Drag Story Time event.[14] The protestors were met by counter protestors, which included the library's CEO.[14] Police searched the library for explosive devices after a threat was uttered.[14]

Twice in December 2022, protestors interrupted drag performances at the Britbar venue in Penticton BC, and at DunnEnzies restaurant in BC's Okanagan.[15][16]

References
  1. Arkell, Emma (1 Dec 2022). "A number of drag shows in Ontario have become targets of hate". xtramagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  2. Brend, Yvette (15 Dec 2022). "Drag storytimes have become a target of hate. Why some families love them anyway". CBC.
  3. Ottenhof, Luke (29 Nov 2022). "'I don't feel safe': Ontario drag performers reckon with heightened risk". www.tvo.org. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  4. "What is "Grooming?" The Truth Behind the Dangerous, Bigoted Lie Targeting the LGBTQ+ Community | ADL". www.adl.org. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  5. Simpson, Katie (8 Dec 2022). "As drag shows in the U.S. are increasingly targeted, the community fears violence". CBC.
  6. John, Tara (2022-08-04). "Drag queen storytime in England promotes compassion and inclusion. British far-right extremists are importing US hate against them". CNN. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  7. Aldridge, James (26 July 2022). "Police stationed outside library amid protests over Drag Queen storybook event". Reading Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  8. Jonze, Tim (2022-08-11). "'I'm just trying to make the world a little brighter': how the culture wars hijacked Drag Queen Story Hour". the Guardian. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  9. Malloy, Tomas (2022-08-23). "Dozens protest as library hosts drag queen event for children". SomersetLive. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  10. "Supporters and protesters turn out at Oxford drag queen kids' storytime". BBC News. 2022-08-23. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  11. Marsten, Emily (26 Nov 2022). "Emotions flare as protestors gather outside drag queen story time event in Kitsilano". vancouver.citynews.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  12. Janzer, Stacey (13 Dec 2022). "Protests won't stop Drag Queen Story Time in Sarnia, bookstore owner says". CBC.
  13. Charaani, James (6 Dec 2022). "Guelph drag queen sees all-ages shows targeted by social media campaigns". CBC.
  14. Peddigrew, Ryan (19 Dec 2022). "Opposing protest groups clash outside Brockville, Ont. drag event - Kingston | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  15. "Second drag show disrupted by protestors in one week in the Okanagan - Okanagan | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  16. White, Cindy (8 Dec 2022). "Police disperse protest against drag show at DunnEnzies in Kelowna - Kelowna News". www.castanet.net. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.