Drag Queen book reading sparks duelling protests in Moncton
When children showed up to the Moncton Library Saturday afternoon they weren’t initially met with their favourite book, but instead dozens and dozens of people.
Two groups of protesters flooded the library entrance in response to the event with two very different messages.
Tommy Des Rosiers was there in support of the event, calling the two performers his friends.
“I don’t even know what is the problem with this,” he said. “This is just … I’ve been saying this, I don’t know how many times, it’s wild. It is wild that we have to be here, that we have to fight for this, there’s so many other problems other than someone reading a book to children.”
Another group gathered against the event were seemly out numbered about 3-1.
“We want to spread awareness,” said Jeremy Gibson. “We want to bring this to the parents’ knowledge. Parents deserve a right to know what their kids are being pushed on in school and the parents deserve a right to know what are on these public library shelves where a three-year-old can reach it.”
He says the group protesting against the drag queen reading is pointing at a bigger issue, and isn’t against the pride community.
“I’ve been supportive of the gay community for a decade,” he said. “My aunt is proud gay and she’s happily gay and I’m glad to see her happy. But when you’re going over the parents’ heads and this stuff is being flooded into our schools, it’s being flooded into the curriculum labelled as SOGI123 and CRT and parents are unaware of this and parents that are asking these questions are being silenced and that is not right.”
SOGI123, an educational program that provides schools and teachers with ready to use materials to educate and facilitate inclusion, understanding, respect and safe learning, is not used in New Brunswick schools, according to the program's website.
CRT (critical race theory) is an academic idea that racism is systemic in institutions that serve to perpetuate white dominance in society.
For the most part, the dueling protests remained peaceful, with just a few words shared between the two groups. Around 30 people were calling out concern with around 100 shouting support.
“We don’t even have to teach them about inclusivity or what is gay or queer or whatever, it’s just being exposed to different things in life is not a bad thing, it never has been, never will,” said Des Rosiers.
Meantime, a similar story in Halifax on Saturday as well.
“Derogatory words were used,” explained drag artist Mya Foxx. “We were called child abusers, you know sexual deviants you name it. There was a number of different things bordering on hate speech.”
Uproar on social media this week forced police to standby during a fundraising event that featured drag artists face painting and book reading for children.
“So the types of things that you may see at midnight on a Saturday night in a club for an adult audience is completely different from a drag performance or a drag queen story time that is catered towards children,” said Foxx.
Both the event in Moncton and Halifax garnered a lot of social media attention leading up to the events on Saturday both filled with hate and support.
Although there was a small police presence in both cities, the events took place without incident.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6934695.1718908201!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Canadian acting legend Donald Sutherland dies at 88, son Kiefer says
Donald Sutherland, the New Brunswick-born acting legend with the distinct baritone voice and prolific stage and screen career that inspired sons Kiefer and Rossif to pursue the craft, has died.
Islamic holiday celebration in Montreal park draws ire from secularists
Images shared on social media of Muslims praying together in a Montreal park have sparked controversy in the province. Members of the city's Muslim community gathered earlier this week to celebrate Eid al-Adha, a holiday to mark the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Former Ont. fire captain pleads guilty in wife's murder case
A former fire captain and father of two accused of killing his wife pleaded guilty on Thursday to second-degree murder.
Northern Ont. neighbourhood evacuated after live explosive devices from the Second World War found
There were some tense moments in northern Ontario on Wednesday after several Second World War-era explosive devices were found earlier this week.
Vitamix recalls almost 570,000 blender parts
Parts of a pricey blender that can cost up to US$990 can cause deep cuts, Vitamix announced in an expanded recall Thursday — but don’t expect a refund.
Skyrocketing rent: Some Canadians saying goodbye to half their paycheque
A significant number of Canadian renters are spending more than half their paycheque putting a roof over their head, according to a new Royal LePage report.
'Supreme excellence': Trudeau, Hollywood stars honour famed Canadian actor Donald Sutherland
Family, Hollywood peers and other famous fans paid tribute to Donald Sutherland Thursday afternoon following news of his death, lauding the Canadian actor as a screen legend and a brilliant artist.
OPINION Before he made it on stage or in film, Donald Sutherland got his start in local radio
Donald Sutherland, who died at the age of 88, will be remembered for his prodigious acting talent. But as film critic Richard Crouse notes, a lesser known yet inspiring part of Sutherland's career is the time he spent at a local radio station in Nova Scotia.
New Canadian citizenship rules for those born abroad could be delayed until December
An unknown number of young people born abroad to Canadian parents could wait until at least December to be eligible for citizenship.