Drag queen fury at sick sexual ‘joke’ about kids
A DRAG queen caused outrage at a family comedy show by ‘joking’ that children should be taught to ‘open their legs’.
Ms Sharon Le Grand was performing to crowds as part of a free, open-air event on London’s South Bank when she started speaking about inclusivity.
The Liverpudlian act told the audience: ‘We need to teach our children to open their hearts, teach our children to open their minds... and to teach our children to open their legs.’
Parents watching the show said they were ‘disgusted’ at the punchline, which they claimed ‘was said with the same tone as if it was a risque joke’.
One wrote on the Mumsnet internet forum that ‘lots of babies and children were there’. They added: ‘Fine in a club, not at a festival literally targeted as being good for families. Sexualising children in that way is all shades of wrong.’
Le Grand performed between 6pm and 7pm on Saturday at the National Theatre’s River Stage Festival.
Located outside the theatre, it is open to anyone passing by on the Thames riverside promenade, with deckchairs set up to encourage people to watch.
The theatre’s website says the festival features ‘performances from drag artists, dance performances, live-streamed theatre and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy’.
Le Grand has since been found to have breached the festival’s guidelines and been banned.
In a statement, the National Theatre said ‘many events are suitable for all ages’ and are ‘scheduled for the most appropriate time of day’. But it added: ‘The National Theatre is aware that a comment, which goes against the festival’s guidelines, was made on stage. The performer will not appear again.’
Le Grand was approached for comment.