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Sunday World
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Cabaret star hits out at threat to ban drag queen story events from public libraries
Police had to give two drag artists an escort away from Drag Queen Story Time on August 1 at Hollywood Arches Library. Gordon Lyons's threat to ban drag queen story events from public libraries will have serious consequences for the LGBT community, says Belfast's premier cabaret performer. Ross Anderson-Doherty believes the DUP Communities Minister's views will come at a cost to young gay and trans people in Northern Ireland. 'The real-life consequences are on the bodies of young people who are just trying to live their lives,' says the performer. The minister's intervention came after protesters gathered outside Drag Queen Story Time on August 1 at Hollywood Arches Library, an event which was part of EastSide Arts Festival, and police had to give two drag artists an escort away from the event. Lady Portia Di Monte had read books including Dear Zoo to children and parents at the ticketed event while Miss Dora Belle provided a British Sign Language translation. Footage of protesters shouting 'leave our kids alone' at the drag artists went viral earlier this week, and the incident prompted a response from Minister Lyons that the event was 'not appropriate for children'. Ross Anderson-Doherty News in 90 Seconds - August 16th 'This event should not have taken place and it has compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all, as set out in the Libraries NI policy,' he said. 'I have directed my officials to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented,' added the minister. Ross, a former panto dame, creative director and a regular at Belfast's Cabaret Supper Club, has no doubt the minister knows the impact of his statement. 'What you mean, Gordon, is you want it to be inclusive of only the people you deem acceptable — and that's not how the world works,' says the performer, who is non-binary. 'I think he absolutely knows that has real-life consequences. 'He's an intelligent man. He is well educated. He was clever enough to become a minister in our parliament. I think to say he doesn't understand the real-life impact of his words does him a disservice. Gordon Lyons, Communities Minister 'Credit where credit's due. He knows exactly what he's doing and he's very willing to do it to us.' A vicious online backlash against Lady Portia has prompted the popular drag artist to issue legal proceedings after she was subjected to online abuse and false accusations. Ross (43), who often shares the stage with Hope Street's Kerri Quinn, says it's a threat hanging over all performers from the LGBT community, that they will be subjected to malicious smears of harming children. 'People get beaten and worse because of that tag being attached to them,' says the performer. 'Throughout my entire career I have worked with children and young people a lot and there has always been that threat of being called a groomer or a paedophile purely because of how I do my gender and my sexuality. 'We're now being told by people like Gordon Lyons that who I am is dirty and sexualised and harmful to children.' Ross Anderson-Doherty Ross reveals they're regularly abused in comments on their videos on Instagram and TikTok, encouraging them to commit self-harm. And for many in the LGBT community, the online hate often spills over into real life. 'Every woman you know has some story with a man and always has an escape plan for if they're alone at night. It's a wee bit like that for queer people. 'I've had milk bottles thrown at me. I've been attacked in the street. I've been punched in the face and we, like women, trans, cis and otherwise, have to get on with it otherwise you would lose yourself in the terror of it all.' A growing movement against LGBT rights in the UK and Europe has been fuelled and funded by fundamentalists in the US. Last year Humanists UK warned of an influx of millions of dollars from the American religious right to influence the debate on abortion, assisted dying and gay rights. 'There is a very concerted systemic effort from some very rich people to create a moral panic around something that has been normalised in our culture for hundreds of years,' says Ross. The performer believes the protests are simply a sign of intolerance and points out no one picketed at the Waterfront Hall or the SSE Arena when they performed in panto for several years. 'The protesters are making a really definite choice to ignore facts, to ignore kindness, to ignore compassion, to ignore people's humanity and sometimes you have to just condemn it for what it is, which is outright bigotry,' they say. 'In panto I had the beard, I had a wig, I had fake bosoms on. I was out there entertaining kids for years but if I went to read a book to them in a library now, that would be wrong,' says Ross. However, there is also huge support for them from the public. The performer says following a video appeal this week — which already has more than 200,000 views — their fans have promised to stand with the LGBT community. 'I always say 93 per cent of my audience is drunk white women. One of my jokes is I was raised by a drunk white woman. We have a connection. It's a beautiful thing. 'I made a wee video on Instagram and TikTok saying 'drunk white women if you've ever been entertained by anybody who looks or sound like me or has done drag, can you stand up for us please because things are getting quite violent out here', and the response has been one of the most heartening things I've ever seen in my life,' says Ross.
The Journal
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Drag performer launches legal action after ‘campaign of abuse' following storytelling event
A DRAG PERFORMER has launched legal action being 'subjected to a campaign of online abuse' following a storytelling event in a Belfast library last week. The legal action has been initiated by Lady Portia Di'Monte, one of the two drag performers at the event which was held on Friday in the Holywood Arches Library in east Belfast. It was organised by the regeneration charity EastSide Partnership and was part of its Eastside Arts Festival. The storytelling event featured two drag queens, one of whom provided sign language interpretation, and included readings of The Chronicles of Narnia and Dear Zoo, a pop-up animal book aimed at toddlers. However, a number of protesters gathered outside the public library and the storytelling had to be cancelled early as a result. In a video circulated on social media, the two drag performers can be seen being escorted from the library by PSNI officers and taken away in a police vehicle. A PSNI spokesperson said that officers 'attended a report of a small demonstration and engaged with those present'. 'Two people were escorted from the building to further ensure that there would be no breach of the peace,' added the spokesperson. In a statement issued today by Phoenix Law, Lady Portia Di'Monte said that the 'private, family-friendly Drag Queen Storytime event' has become the 'subject of targeted misinformation and online abuse'. Lady Portia Di'Monte said the event 'promoted communication and belonging for all'. 'Despite its warm and educational focus, the event was disrupted by protesters whose actions created fear and discouraged some families from attending.' Advertisement The drag performer added that the PSNI were present to 'maintain safety due to external threats – not because of any risk inside'. 'Since the event, I have been subjected to abuse and false accusations online. 'I am now seeking legal advice to protect my reputation and my safety.' Lady Portia added: 'When children see diversity reflected around them—whether it's queer people, deaf individuals, blended families, or those who feel different—it builds empathy, understanding, and resilience. 'These events are about joy, education, and creating spaces where every child can feel seen and valued. 'To those spreading hate—I will not be silenced. I remain committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all children to grow up feeling accepted and proud of who they are.' Phoenix Law said that the PSNI had to escort the drag performers from the library 'due to safety concerns arising from protesters outside the venue'. The law firm added that it is 'aware that footage of this incident has since circulated on social media, accompanied by damaging and defamatory commentary'. Phoenix Law solicitor Victoria Haddock said Lady Portia has been subjected to a 'campaign of online abuse, including highly serious and defamatory allegations'. 'These claims are entirely unfounded, malicious, and constitute a deliberate effort to harm our client's reputation. 'The suggestion that drag performance in this context poses any risk to children is baseless and harmful. 'We have now been instructed to initiate legal proceedings against all those responsible for publishing defamatory material, and to examine whether any criminal offences have been committed.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Rhyl Journal
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Drag artist at library event says she is victim of ‘false accusations online'
Lady Portia Di'Monte said the event at Holywood Arches Library on Friday had included a reading from The Chronicles of Narnia and Dear Zoo. The event, which featured two drag artists, was part of the Eastside Arts Festival. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed it had attended a report of a small demonstration at the library on Friday afternoon and engaged with those present. Stormont's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said earlier this week the event was not appropriate for children and should not have taken place. Lady Portia Di'Monte said the event had become the subject of 'targeted misinformation and online abuse'. In a statement released by Phoenix Law, she added: 'This joyful, ticketed event was held in a public library with full support from staff, parents, and festival organisers. 'It included readings of The Chronicles of Narnia, Dear Zoo, and stories celebrating diverse families. 'Children also enjoyed inclusive games, music, and a British sign language session – promoting communication and belonging for all. 'Despite its warm and educational focus, the event was disrupted by protesters whose actions created fear and discouraged some families from attending. 'The PSNI were present to maintain safety due to external threats – not because of any risk inside.' She added: 'Since the event, I have been subjected to abuse and false accusations online.' The drag artist said she is now seeking legal advice. She added: 'When children see diversity reflected around them – whether it's queer people, deaf individuals, blended families, or those who feel different – it builds empathy, understanding, and resilience. 'These events are about joy, education, and creating spaces where every child can feel seen and valued. 'To the families, staff, and supporters, thank you. 'To those spreading hate – I will not be silenced. I remain committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all children to grow up feeling accepted and proud of who they are.' Phoenix Law solicitor Victoria Haddock said her client had been the victim of a 'campaign of online abuse'. A PSNI statement said: 'Two people were escorted from the building to further ensure that there would be no breach of the peace. 'At this stage, no offences were determined to have taken place.' Mr Lyons said the event had compromised the perception of public libraries as a 'welcoming and inclusive space for all as set out in the Libraries NI policy'.
Metro
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Drag queens forced to stop reading Dear Zoo to children at library
Listen to article A RuPaul's Drag Race star has condemned the treatment of two drag performers who were escorted from a children's reading session at a Belfast library. As Lady Portia Di'Monte read the words of Dear Zoo and Miss Dora Belle narrated them using sign language, a group of protesters gathered outside the Holywood Arches Library. One woman can be heard shouting: 'shame on both of you, leave the kids alone'. The event was eventually abandoned amid rising tensions and they were escorted by police to prevent further disruption. Drag artist Crystal told Metro: 'Watching two drag queens getting escorted out by the police is very depressing. 'It sets a terrible precedent that fringe protesters with beliefs that do not represent the whole of society or even the majority of society are able to – if they are loud enough – get events cancelled and make people unsafe.' Northern Ireland's Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons said the event was 'not appropriate for children' and had 'compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all.' He added that he had asked that policy be 'faithfully implemented' across Northern Irish libraries. Crystal, who appeared on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, said: 'It is very troubling and we need to push back against this kind of narrative.' They described such protests as recycled transphobia, comparing them to rallies against women wearing trousers in the mid-20th century. They said: 'It is a gross mischaracterization to say that drag is inherently sexual and always inappropriate for children. That is just not true. 'Most people in the UK are aware of that because they have taken their children to see panto and they have seen drag queens entertaining children in the past and they understand that it is very possible to have that art form in a family-friendly way.' Crystal, who has also performed at similar events, described them as 'any storytelling event that you would have for children, just that the books have a broader theme of inclusivity, self-love, and acceptance.' Families take their kids to age appropriate arts event shocker! Time for some people to reflect on the damage they are continuing to cause to the LGBT+ community in Northern Ireland. Drag is part of British, and Irish, and international culture. There are no legitimate concerns. — Amanda Ferguson (@AmandaFBelfast) August 5, 2025 They added: 'Children sit around, open up their storybooks and you read to them. You might do some interactive games, ask them questions, things like that, but it is very kid-focused and it is very safe. 'It is nothing that you would not see in any school done by a 'normal' teacher.' Drag Queen story times have created protests across other parts of the UK, including one in Reading in 2022. On that occasion, protesters stormed the library, shouting and screaming while children listened to a story about a goat being bullied by a wolf.
North Wales Chronicle
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Drag artist at library event says she is victim of ‘false accusations online'
Lady Portia Di'Monte said the event at Holywood Arches Library on Friday had included a reading from The Chronicles of Narnia and Dear Zoo. The event, which featured two drag artists, was part of the Eastside Arts Festival. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed it had attended a report of a small demonstration at the library on Friday afternoon and engaged with those present. Stormont's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said earlier this week the event was not appropriate for children and should not have taken place. Lady Portia Di'Monte said the event had become the subject of 'targeted misinformation and online abuse'. In a statement released by Phoenix Law, she added: 'This joyful, ticketed event was held in a public library with full support from staff, parents, and festival organisers. 'It included readings of The Chronicles of Narnia, Dear Zoo, and stories celebrating diverse families. 'Children also enjoyed inclusive games, music, and a British sign language session – promoting communication and belonging for all. 'Despite its warm and educational focus, the event was disrupted by protesters whose actions created fear and discouraged some families from attending. 'The PSNI were present to maintain safety due to external threats – not because of any risk inside.' She added: 'Since the event, I have been subjected to abuse and false accusations online.' The drag artist said she is now seeking legal advice. She added: 'When children see diversity reflected around them – whether it's queer people, deaf individuals, blended families, or those who feel different – it builds empathy, understanding, and resilience. 'These events are about joy, education, and creating spaces where every child can feel seen and valued. 'To the families, staff, and supporters, thank you. 'To those spreading hate – I will not be silenced. I remain committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all children to grow up feeling accepted and proud of who they are.' Phoenix Law solicitor Victoria Haddock said her client had been the victim of a 'campaign of online abuse'. A PSNI statement said: 'Two people were escorted from the building to further ensure that there would be no breach of the peace. 'At this stage, no offences were determined to have taken place.' Mr Lyons said the event had compromised the perception of public libraries as a 'welcoming and inclusive space for all as set out in the Libraries NI policy'.
