Latest news with #DragQueenStoryTime
The Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
DUP minister says drag queen storytelling ‘compromised perception' of libraries being inclusive
DUP MINISTER GORDON Lyons, whose department oversees public libraries, has said that a recent drag queen storytelling event in a Belfast library 'should not have taken place'. He claimed that the event 'compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all'. The event was held on Friday in the Holywood Arches Library in east Belfast and was organised by the regeneration charity EastSide Partnership. The event was part of its Eastside Arts Festival and featured two drag queens, one of whom provided sign language interpretation. 'Drag Queen Story Time champions individuality and inclusivity amongst its young audiences, featuring singalongs and dancing, this event is suitable for all ages and families,' said a billing for the event. 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. One of the drag performers noted that they were reading 'Dear Zoo', which is a pop-up animal book for toddlers. They said that the protestors 'would have been welcome' at the event and said they would 'happily' meet the protestors. 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,' said the spokesperson. Advertisement They added that 'at this stage, no offences were determined to have taken place'. Lyons said the event did not fall within Libraries NI's policy and that it was 'not appropriate for children'. 'I understand that Libraries NI was not the organiser and that it was a venue booking made by Eastside Arts Festival,' said Lyons. '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.' Lyons also said he has 'directed my officials to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented'. Eastside Partnership has said that its annual Arts Festival has developed over the past 14 years into a programme which is 'inclusive, diverse and reflective of the interests and feedback from those who attend our events'. It said that the 'Drag Queen Storytime with BSL Interpretation' is one of its 'longest-running events and returns every year based on the positive feedback from those who attend and engage with the event'. 'Over the years we have worked alongside the artists involved to ensure we provide a safe, welcoming and accessible environment for families to listen to age-appropriate stories.' A spokesperson said that it has been 'made aware of an incident outside of the event venue' on Friday. 'To ensure safety and to minimise disruption we worked with local authorities to manage a safe exit for our attending families, staff and artists,' said Eastside Partnership. The statement added: 'EastSide Arts Festival is committed to continue to develop a diverse, inclusive, safe, accessible and welcoming festival programme that celebrates and reflects all aspects of the community.' -With additional reporting from Press Association 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
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Moment police escorted two drag queens from children's story telling event as angry protesters shouting 'leave our kids alone' confronted them outside
Police have been accused of 'running a taxi service for drag queens' after officers escorted two performers out of a library where they had been running a storytelling event for children. Drag Queen Story Time at Holywood Arches Library in Belfast featured Lady Portia Di'Monte, known as the 'First Lady of Northern Irish drag', and Miss Dora Belle. The ticket-only event was advertised as 'suitable for all ages and families' and to 'champion individuality and inclusivity amongst its young audiences, featuring sing-alongs and dancing.' Lady Portia read storybooks to the children, including family favourites such as Dear Zoo, while Miss Dora Belle narrated them with British Sign Language (BSL). Local parents protested outside the library before the police were called to escort the two drag artists away and appear to have given them a lift home. There were no arrests but Northern Ireland's Communities minister Gordon Lyons has said the event was 'not appropriate for children' and 'should not have taken place'. A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: 'Police attended a report of a small demonstration at the Holywood Arches area of east Belfast on Friday August 1, shortly after 1.40pm and engaged with those present. '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.' Footage of the incident showed at least three police officers attended the library. Protesters called 'shame on you', 'leave our kids alone' and 'you do your thing but leave our kids alone' at the drag artists. Lady Portia confronted the protesters and said they would have been welcome to attended and waved the classic story read to the children, Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell. One critic commented on the video and said: 'The police are being used as a taxi service to ferry drag queens'. The incident has sparked a political row in Northern Ireland with critics asking why the police needed intervene. Protesters yelled at the drag queens, who said the protesters would have been welcome to attend. The protesters insisted they were banned The Drag Queen Story Time event has sparked a political row with Northern Ireland's Communities minister saying it 'should not have taken place' Northern Ireland's Communities minister Gordon Lyons has said the event had '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 he has 'directed' his officials 'to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented'. While TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said: 'Drag performance, by its very nature, is a sexualised and exaggerated parody of womanhood — rooted in adult entertainment and gender subversion. 'Why then is it considered acceptable for someone best-known for adult-themed performances to adopt the same persona while reading stories to children?'.
