Police escort for drag queen after protesters storm ‘story hour’
‘[The protests] successfully made a few children scared and a mother sob’
THE first drag queen “story hour” for children in a Uk-wide tour of council libraries has descended into chaos after it was stormed by protesters.
Almost 70 events are being held over the next two months by Drag Queen Story Hour UK, a group hosting sessions for three to 11-year-olds.
But the first session for families at Reading Central Library on Monday erupted in a dramatic row, as drag queen Sab Samuel was given a police escort next to a riot van and demonstrators chanted “paedophile”.
Around a dozen parents and young children were seen dancing with the drag queen in the library – against the din of chants from outside the venue where council officials had planned a heavy police presence.
It was derailed when two mothers, who had infiltrated the ticket-only class, stood up and confronted Mr Samuel.
They shouted: “You’re allowing child grooming to take place, this is disgusting, do you know what autogynephilia is?”
Autogynephilia is when males are sexually aroused by the thought of themselves being female.
One unidentified mother, holding a pram, shouted in front of the assembled crowd: “You’re probably teaching kids that there’s 100 genders, there’s only two sexes, no man can be a woman. We’re here to protect children.”
They were escorted out by police officers and security guards while parents cheered. Rows of dozens of uniformed police officers stood guard outside the library where a group of activists vowed to perform a “citizen’s arrest” of the drag queen.
They said the police officers and council staff, who refused to let them in, were “paedophile protecters” and brandished banners and megaphones.
The project is run by Mr Samuel, a 27-year-old autistic male children’s author, who performs as Aida H Dee in a sequined dress with heavy makeup.
Mr Samuel, dressed in sparkly leggings, was eventually escorted out of the library’s back door by police officers who carried his bags and loaded his car, while a “human wall” of officers and a riot van separated him from protesters.
The tour, which claims to “teach inclusivity” and how to “get fabulous”, is promoted on council websites.
Last night, other campaigners questioned whether the rest of the tour was now feasible.
Piers Shepherd, of the Family Education Trust charity, said: “It is a matter of concern that police resources will be used in this way. The simple solution to this problem is for councils to call off the grossly age-inappropriate Drag Queen Story Hour.”
Tanya Carter, of the Safe Schools Alliance, a non-religious group of parents and teachers with many LGBT supporters, said: “We’re now not only concerned about the safeguarding of children with regards to what they’re potentially seeing at shows, but we’re also worried about the safety of children with violent protesters and a large police presence.”
A spokesman for Drag Queen Story Hour UK said the protests had “successfully made a few children scared and a mother sob”. The group, which says its performers are DBS checked, said: “Messages of support have been sent to the performer and Aida is safe.”
Reading council described the protests as “extremely disappointing” and the classes were “age-appropriate”. It added: “This was a ticketed event and all parents attending were aware of the nature of the performance. The council does not tolerate threats or abuse.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed it attended the protest but no arrests were made. The council and police declined to reveal their security costs.