Latest news with #dragperformance
Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
School under fire over drag act for 11-year-olds
A secondary school has been criticised over plans to stage a drag artist performance to children as young as 11. Fareham Academy, in Hampshire, said the display would form part of its annual Pride event on June 27. But Suella Braverman, the former Tory home secretary, has urged the school, which is in her constituency, to rethink the 'morally reprehensible' plans. She told The Telegraph that such a performance would be 'utterly inappropriate' for children, adding: 'Schools should be places of learning, not adult entertainment.' The MP said several parents had complained to her about the plans, which follow a similar Pride event at the school last year when a drag artist also performed. A statement on the academy's website said: 'This event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to raise awareness and show support for the LGBT+ community. 'We will also be raising funds for local LGBT+ charities during the day.' However, Mrs Braverman said: 'This is utterly inappropriate for children at school. I've been contacted by several parents and I've urged the school to withdraw their invitation to this drag artist. 'Adults are free to enjoy drag, but children should not be exposed to it at school. It is highly sexualised, presents a demeaning and distorted image of women and does not fairly represent the LGB community either.' She added: 'Pretending to children that a man can be a woman if they put on some make up and wear a dress is wrong and sexualises the education of children. 'There are many other ways in which the school could mark Pride, eg by inviting a lesbian woman or a gay man to talk about their experiences, instead of this offensive, sexualised and wholly inappropriate action. 'I consider this a morally indefensible safeguarding issue and urge Fareham Academy to change course.' Government guidance states that schools should include age-appropriate LGBT+ content in their curriculum, including during Pride events, and foster an inclusive environment. It also advises that LGBT+ teaching should be integrated into the curriculum, rather than being taught as standalone lessons, and that schools should ensure all pupils feel accepted and safe. On Saturday, The Telegraph revealed that Swindon and Wiltshire Pride, a charity, had been handing out leaflets to primary schools to teach schoolchildren about 300 different varieties of LGBT pride flags – and the sexualities and gender identities behind each of them.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The moment I knew: I worried he was a playboy, then a friend reassured me
During Melbourne's sixth lockdown in 2021, I was bored out of my mind in my suburban sharehouse and craving connection. I'd been following an Instagram account for a drag performer called Iva Rosebud at the behest of a mutual friend who felt our work was similar. I'd been watching them from a distance for some time when one Friday night a message arrived suggesting a collaboration. Obviously it piqued my interest; it's not like I had anything else to do – who knew how long the lockdown would go on for? I said I'd be keen to talk more and was instantly invited for 10am mimosas in the park. I knew then I was dealing with a kindred spirit. The following day was sunny and crisp as I arrived in the park excited to meet a new friend. Lachie was wearing sunnies and a singlet with a shirt over the top that draped off his shoulder. He looked like a skater, so too-cool-for-school. But I knew from Instagram he could also be this incredibly glamorous woman. I didn't quite know what to make of the juxtaposition, but I was intrigued. We lay on the grass, listening to Ella Fitzgerald and eating buttery croissants and delicious pastries. Well, I thought they were delicious; he gave me some sass for buying them at a supermarket while he had invested in a very nice bottle of sparkling (I'd come to learn his father is a wine chemist, so he had an advantage). We discussed jazz, golden era movies and the one-woman show Elaine Stritch at Liberty, which he'd watched at least 10 times. He was really passionate about it! The conversation flowed easily, the feels were feeling and then he asked if I wanted to go back to his to watch it. He assured me we wouldn't break any Covid rules, but suffice to say we didn't make it far into the film before social distancing became an abstract concept. We met up again two days later, then again the day after. The following weekend we had back-to-back engagements for four days. After two weeks of being in each other's pockets I was really falling for him, and I realised I needed to get an outside perspective on who I was getting so close to so quickly. At yet another park hang, this time with our friend Chris – the one who had encouraged me to connect with Iva Rosebud in the first place – Lachie arrived with a stunning bouquet of native flowers for me. It was the first time a suitor had given me flowers. I was touched, but also thought it might just be a move from his playbook. As soon as he took a bathroom break I pounced on Chris to give me the skinny. He assured me that Lachie, who he'd known for years, was no playboy and was in fact a hopeless romantic. Chris's reassurance was all I needed to jump headlong into things with Lachie. We kind of did the lesbian thing after that and coupled up very quickly. Related: The moment I knew: he bared his soul in a performance and I fell for his sensitive side Lachie's honest and generous nature is what I love most about him, not least because it brings those things out in me too. I think I knew somewhere between the third mimosa and the opening number of Elaine Stritch that Lachie was the one for me, I just couldn't believe he was for real. Three and half years later I can confirm Lachie is in fact a hopeless romantic and very committed and loving partner. We have a beautiful life; collaborating on our shows and living together in Melbourne. We have a whole room dedicated to our drag costumes, and we recently got a puppy whom we co-parent with our friend, burlesque performer Kate Foster. Lachie spends a lot of time making the garden beautiful. And he still brings me flowers. Jens Radda performs as Skank Sinatra at Qtopia Sydney from 14-22 June
The Guardian
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The moment I knew: I worried he was a playboy, then a friend reassured me
During Melbourne's sixth lockdown in 2021, I was bored out of my mind in my suburban sharehouse and craving connection. I'd been following an Instagram account for a drag performer called Iva Rosebud at the behest of a mutual friend who felt our work was similar. I'd been watching them from a distance for some time when one Friday night a message arrived suggesting a collaboration. Obviously it piqued my interest; it's not like I had anything else to do – who knew how long the lockdown would go on for? I said I'd be keen to talk more and was instantly invited for 10am mimosas in the park. I knew then I was dealing with a kindred spirit. The following day was sunny and crisp as I arrived in the park excited to meet a new friend. Lachie was wearing sunnies and a singlet with a shirt over the top that draped off his shoulder. He looked like a skater, so too-cool-for-school. But I knew from Instagram he could also be this incredibly glamorous woman. I didn't quite know what to make of the juxtaposition, but I was intrigued. We lay on the grass, listening to Ella Fitzgerald and eating buttery croissants and delicious pastries. Well, I thought they were delicious; he gave me some sass for buying them at a supermarket while he had invested in a very nice bottle of sparkling (I'd come to learn his father is a wine chemist, so he had an advantage). We discussed jazz, golden era movies and the one-woman show Elaine Stritch at Liberty, which he'd watched at least 10 times. He was really passionate about it! The conversation flowed easily, the feels were feeling and then he asked if I wanted to go back to his to watch it. He assured me we wouldn't break any Covid rules, but suffice to say we didn't make it far into the film before social distancing became an abstract concept. We met up again two days later, then again the day after. The following weekend we had back-to-back engagements for four days. After two weeks of being in each other's pockets I was really falling for him, and I realised I needed to get an outside perspective on who I was getting so close to so quickly. At yet another park hang, this time with our friend Chris – the one who had encouraged me to connect with Iva Rosebud in the first place – Lachie arrived with a stunning bouquet of native flowers for me. It was the first time a suitor had given me flowers. I was touched, but also thought it might just be a move from his playbook. As soon as he took a bathroom break I pounced on Chris to give me the skinny. He assured me that Lachie, who he'd known for years, was no playboy and was in fact a hopeless romantic. Chris's reassurance was all I needed to jump headlong into things with Lachie. We kind of did the lesbian thing after that and coupled up very quickly. Lachie's honest and generous nature is what I love most about him, not least because it brings those things out in me too. I think I knew somewhere between the third mimosa and the opening number of Elaine Stritch that Lachie was the one for me, I just couldn't believe he was for real. Three and half years later I can confirm Lachie is in fact a hopeless romantic and very committed and loving partner. We have a beautiful life; collaborating on our shows and living together in Melbourne. We have a whole room dedicated to our drag costumes, and we recently got a puppy whom we co-parent with our friend, burlesque performer Kate Foster. Lachie spends a lot of time making the garden beautiful. And he still brings me flowers. Jens Radda performs as Skank Sinatra at Qtopia Sydney from 14-22 June Do you have a romantic realisation you'd like to share? From quiet domestic scenes to dramatic revelations, Guardian Australia wants to hear about the moment you knew you were in love. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.
