Support outweighs opposition to drag show
An intolerance for intolerance. That has been the general reaction to online vitriol over an all-ages show by some drag performers scheduled for a pub in Kentville on June 3.
Drag Me to Family Dinner is taking place at Kings Arm Pub and is billed as a familyfriendly, all-ages event with performances, a Disney singalong, and story time. The ad for the sold-out event says children under 3 years of age are admitted for free.
Despite the show being family-friendly and not burlesque, it didn’t stop some people from complaining with false statements about stripping, grooming and other misinformation. A few exhorted followers to call Kentville police and Kentville councillors, demanding the event be canceled, or said they would shut it down themselves. There was talk of protests, although at least one said protesters need to be civil, and a few said their only opposition was to no age limit on the show.
Some of those complaining have apparent ties to far-right groups.
That has all led to other people calling for a counterprotest and rally outside the pub as well.
Kings Arms owner Joey Murphy declined to comment, pointing instead to a Facebook post in which he says his position is clear and firm. In it, he said he supports inclusivity and diversity in his community and everyone’s right to make their own choices and live their own lives.
“I support all members of my community with the exception of anyone who shares hate and misinformation,” he said in the post.
Murphy also doubled down and is holding an event called Come Together ’23 outside at the pub starting earlier in the day. The Facebook post for the event, made Tuesday night after the online comments had started to appear, has a Pride flag in the shape of a heart. The description reads “Inviting all Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, Jokers and all other royalty for an awesome afternoon in the Kings Garden. There will be live music and other entertainment outside at our side patio. More details to follow.”
Kentville mayor Sandra Snow said she’s received emails and phone messages “on both sides of the coin” about the event, but it’s not a town issue.
“It’s a private company and not something the town is doing, and we don’t interfere in those sorts of things” she said.
No bylaws are being broken by the show, she said.
“The town of Kentville, and we’ve made this very clear as we’ve moved forward, we want to be inclusive, we want to be a place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of how they look, how they sound or where they stand in life,” Snow said. “That is where we start any conversation.”
Most of the voicemails she’s received have not been pleasant to listen to, she said.
“Any of the emails or calls that are coming in that are particularly nasty are being forwarded directly to the police, because at the end of the day there are still laws about hate and the propagation of hate, and that will not be tolerated.”
Snow said her response to other emails, whether supporting the show or being opposed but respectful, is about the town’s inclusive nature and that police are aware of any messages that are hateful.
She said councillors have been provided with the same standard response if they choose to use it when contacted individually.
There are more messages of support than opposition, the mayor said.
Kentville police chief James Butler declined to comment on the online comments or plans for the event.