Children saw ‘striptease’ at Margate Pride

YOUNG CHILDREN were present when a “striptease” was performed at a seaside town’s Pride beauty pageant, as a performer dropped their trousers and danced in their underwear around a bandstand.

Footage shows a contestant dancing to Pony by Ginuwine while simulating a sexual act on a cane in front of a group of minors at the festival in Margate, Kent on Aug 12. The crowd can be heard cheering as the performer dances in a bra and underwear to the song featuring the lyrics: “If you’re horny let’s do it. Ride it, my pony. My saddle’s waiting. Come and jump on it.”

The footage posted on X, formerly Twitter, shows about a dozen girls and boys watching the adult frolicking at the Oval Bandstand.

It is believed the event was part of an all-day contest where people vie for the title of Mx Margate. Applications from “all genders, ages, race, LGBTQIA+ people, long-term Thanet residents and those with disabilities” are encouraged, according to the Margate Pride website.

The event was hosted by Jonny Woo, a British comedian, and judged by a panel including the artist Tracey Emin.

The competition’s rule book states that “obscenity, indecent exposure or sexual acts” by participants in public are prohibited.

Kent Police said it was not aware of the incident, while campaigners said the “sexualised adult entertainment act” should not have been performed in front of children.

Kellie-jay Keen, the founder of Standing for Women, said: “When it comes to the protection and safeguarding of children and the vulnerable, we should have learned by now that groups such as Pride, Stonewall, Mermaids, Educate and Celebrate, No Outsiders, any organisation set up around the sexuality and made up identities of individuals, cannot be trusted.

“At this point we have to ask, where were the parents? And what sort of parents sit their children in front of a sexually explicit adult entertainer?”

Margate Pride was contacted for comment.