Police called as protesters target Drag Queen story hour

A DRAG queen who tours the country reading books to families was gatecrashed by protesters at a performance in Reading Central Library last week.

Aida H Dee was performing Drag Queen Story Hour, where she visits libraries and reads to families to promote literacy and acceptance.

Her tour of 100 libraries around the UK began here in Reading with the performance on Monday, July 25.

Protesters gathered outside the library, and the reading was beset by them shortly after it began at around 10.30am.

Many of them were part of an online group which had travelled to Reading to rally against the event.

During the event, protesters shouted from the street with megaphones to disrupt the reading, which was held on the third storey.

Video footage also shows two protesters who gained access with a child in a pushchair, and began to shout slurs.

One of them continued by saying that the event was “disgusting” and that it was “allowing child grooming.”

Police forcibly removed the two women from the event, and footage uploaded to online protest groups shows members of the public arguing with officers and also attempting to gain access.

One shows a man attempting to gain access to make a “citizens arrest,” claiming the event to be “illegal”.

Once they were removed, the event continued.

After finishing the event, Aida was escorted from the building by police for her own safety.

As she left, footage shows more protesters standing off with police, who had to physically hold many of them back.

Aida went on to perform in Tilehurst Library later that afternoon where further protests were staged outside the building.

Aida is currently on a UK tour, coming to Wokingham later this month, and says that the events will continue as planned.

“We’re going to go ahead, as usual, and if protesters are there, they’re there – we have things in place to protect ourselves, and our attendees.”

Aida says that protesters are “evidence” that Story Hour events are necessary.

“These people are why we do what we do – Drag Queen Story Hour UK exists because these people exist.

“If there were no backlash, nobody things like ‘a man can’t be a woman,’ all the shows would be is a fun hour of interactive storytelling.

“But it becomes political because these people are making it a political issue.”

In a statement, Aida said: “There is absolutely no sexual language during any of these shows nor are children exposed to sexual situations.

“What is confusing is that these groups are attempting to create a sexual focus here where none exists by drawing attention to sex and sexuality.

“These stories celebrate the diversity found among human beings, and the delivery of these stories is a celebration of communities who have been historically marginalised and have historically had their voices silenced.

“To attempt to silence their voices here as well is regressive and to claim a person’s sole existence is sexual is insulting.”

The board of trustees at Reading Pride said in a statement “We are saddened to hear of the disruption and protest organised by an extreme/far right/fringe group that occurred at an event put on for children.

“We hope that there will be no lasting impact to the children or to those who were in attendance.

“We share our appreciation for the prompt action taken by the authorities in responding to the situation, and also for the outpouring of support from the community in condemning the protests.”

It continued: “At Pride, we reject the harmful, false claims made by this group and thank the wider Reading community for their overwhelming support against hatred and firmly believe that Love Unites.”

Drag Queen Story Hour UK is an established children’s entertainment troupe, which sees drag performers travelling around the country holding free interactive shows for children.

The events aim to promote diversity and acceptance of others, as well as encourage families to visit and use libraries, take up reading, and promote the art of storytelling.

Aida H Dee is an advocate for neurodivergence, a published author, and a patron of Autistic Inclusive Meets London, which supports families and individuals with autism.