Story Time with Thunder Bay Drag Queens returns after bomb threat cancels last event
Threats of violence, protests against drag storytimes reported across Canada
Story Time with Thunder Bay Drag Queens will make a comeback starting this weekend after a bomb threat forced the cancellation of an event last month.
The Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) will host drag queens Mz Molly Poppinz and Lady Fantasia LaPremiere at its Waverley Library branch on Saturday.
"We're never going to let hatred win. Never ever ever," said John Forget, who performs as Lady Fantasia LaPremiere. "I mean, I've made it to 40 fighting adversity my whole life, and I'm not going to let it bring me down now.
"To those people who want to hate on us or whatever, like we will always be a loving space and it's never gonna stop."
Similar threats of violence and protests have been reported at drag storytimes across Canada.
The rise in hate directed toward them in the past two years have sparked protests in Mississauga, Ont., B.C., Edmonton, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, among others. Last year in Quebec, one storytime was moved to a secret location for safety reasons.
- LISTEN | Drag Queen speaks out after threat
Forget said that in the wake of the bomb threat against the Thunder Bay storytime, organizers have decided to increase the number of events to one a month. They're scheduled through to June at both Waverly and Mary J.L Black library branches.
"Story Time with Thunder Bay Drag Queens celebrates diversity and teaches inclusion and acceptance in a safe space," the Thunder Bay Public Library said in a statement earlier this week.
Such programs "are selected based on the interests of our community and we encourage all patrons to attend programs that resonate with their own family values," it said.
The incident in March was investigated by the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS), but no credible threat was found.
Police have said these situations put a significant draw on resources, and are disruptive and disparaging to many community members.
Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is asked to contact police.
When asked if police will have any presence at Saturday's event, a spokesperson for the service said officers are committed to protecting public safety and will respond as needed.
During various protests in Canada, people have carried signs with similar themes, including slogans that compare drag to pedophilia, sexual exploitation and grooming.
"It's incredible the amount of misinformation that's out there where you see comments online and [they] choose to say all of these negative things about us when really all we are are moms, and uncles and aunts who just want to read fun stories to kids with storytime," said Forget.
Since the Thunder Bay event last month was cancelled, there has been an outpouring of support for Thunder Bay Drag Queens, including from Thunder Pride and the Rainbow Collective.
The upcoming storytime events will feature books including:
- Meennunyakaa Blueberry Patch by Jennifer Leason.
- Julian at the Wedding written by Jessica Love.
- Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty.
Saturday's readings begin at 11 a.m. ET.
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