Latest news with #DragQueenStorytimewithBSLInterpretation
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Library drag queen event should not have taken place
The DUP's Gordon Lyons said the event on Friday at Holywood Arches Library, hosted by the EastSide Partnership, 'was not appropriate for children' and had 'compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all'. Footage on social media shows protesters demonstrating their opposition to the two drag queens reading stories to children at the library. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the event did not fall within Libraries NI's policy. He said: 'This event 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. '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. 'I have directed my officials to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented.' The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had attended a report of a small demonstration at the library on Friday afternoon and engaged with those present. A 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.' In a statement, Eastside Partnership said: 'EastSide Arts Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and community in east Belfast. 'Over the past 14 years, we have developed festival programmes which are inclusive, diverse and reflective of the interests and feedback from those who attend our events. 'The 'Drag Queen Storytime with BSL Interpretation' event is one of our 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. 'During one of our recent storytelling events, we were made aware of an incident outside of the event venue. 'To ensure safety and to minimise disruption we worked with local authorities to manage a safe exit for our attending families, staff and artists.' 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.'
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
North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Library drag queen event should not have taken place
The DUP's Gordon Lyons said the event on Friday at Holywood Arches Library, hosted by the EastSide Partnership, 'was not appropriate for children' and had 'compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all'. Footage on social media shows protesters demonstrating their opposition to the two drag queens reading stories to children at the library. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the event did not fall within Libraries NI's policy. He said: 'This event 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. '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. 'I have directed my officials to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented.' The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had attended a report of a small demonstration at the library on Friday afternoon and engaged with those present. A 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.' In a statement, Eastside Partnership said: 'EastSide Arts Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and community in east Belfast. 'Over the past 14 years, we have developed festival programmes which are inclusive, diverse and reflective of the interests and feedback from those who attend our events. 'The 'Drag Queen Storytime with BSL Interpretation' event is one of our 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. 'During one of our recent storytelling events, we were made aware of an incident outside of the event venue. 'To ensure safety and to minimise disruption we worked with local authorities to manage a safe exit for our attending families, staff and artists.' 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.'
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Library drag queen event should not have taken place
The DUP's Gordon Lyons said the event on Friday at Holywood Arches Library, hosted by the EastSide Partnership, 'was not appropriate for children' and had 'compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all'. Footage on social media shows protesters demonstrating their opposition to the two drag queens reading stories to children at the library. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the event did not fall within Libraries NI's policy. He said: 'This event 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. '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. 'I have directed my officials to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented.' The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had attended a report of a small demonstration at the library on Friday afternoon and engaged with those present. A 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.' In a statement, Eastside Partnership said: 'EastSide Arts Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and community in east Belfast. 'Over the past 14 years, we have developed festival programmes which are inclusive, diverse and reflective of the interests and feedback from those who attend our events. 'The 'Drag Queen Storytime with BSL Interpretation' event is one of our 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. 'During one of our recent storytelling events, we were made aware of an incident outside of the event venue. 'To ensure safety and to minimise disruption we worked with local authorities to manage a safe exit for our attending families, staff and artists.' 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.'
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Library drag queen event should not have taken place
The DUP's Gordon Lyons said the event on Friday at Holywood Arches Library, hosted by the EastSide Partnership, 'was not appropriate for children' and had 'compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all'. Footage on social media shows protesters demonstrating their opposition to the two drag queens reading stories to children at the library. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the event did not fall within Libraries NI's policy. He said: 'This event 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. '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. 'I have directed my officials to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented.' The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had attended a report of a small demonstration at the library on Friday afternoon and engaged with those present. A 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.' In a statement, Eastside Partnership said: 'EastSide Arts Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and community in east Belfast. 'Over the past 14 years, we have developed festival programmes which are inclusive, diverse and reflective of the interests and feedback from those who attend our events. 'The 'Drag Queen Storytime with BSL Interpretation' event is one of our 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. 'During one of our recent storytelling events, we were made aware of an incident outside of the event venue. 'To ensure safety and to minimise disruption we worked with local authorities to manage a safe exit for our attending families, staff and artists.' 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.'
