Drag Storytime Event Cancelled After Protests

Young aviation enthusiasts at the Australian International Airshow in Melbourne, Australia on March 1, 2013. Paul Crock/AFP/Getty Images

A Melbourne Council has cancelled its controversial “drag storytime” event after protests from local families.

Monash City Council CEO Andi Diamond said the decision was made after Victoria Police advised of potential safety risks to staff.

“This event has attracted significant attention with hateful and threatening commentary and misinformation spread online, via email and directly over the phone,” Diamond said in a statement on May 4.

“It is incredibly disappointing to have to cancel an event designed to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.”

Families were invited to sign-up kids (aged one to six) to a “sparkling morning of stories and songs to inspire young readers” hosted by Lisa and a “special guest”, Sam T, aimed at spreading the message of “equality and appreciation of diversity” at the Oakleigh Library.

Victorian Senator Ralph Babet said there was “overwhelming public displeasure” with the event, with locals airing their concerns at a council meeting on April 26.

“Public concern centred around the use of ratepayer money to host what many residents believe is inappropriate content for children aged one to six,” the senator said in a statement.

“Some have attempted to paint those opposing this event as right-wing, but they really are just concerned mothers, fathers and grandparents,” he said. “It is time for a civilised debate where both sides of the argument can be heard and respected.”

Parents, Locals Unhappy With Drag Event

In late April, a Monash City Council meeting in Melbourne’s east was met by angry community members.

Mayor Tina Samardzija temporarily suspended the council meeting midway through after some members of a 150-strong protest began chanting phrases like “shame on you.” A smaller group of about 30 supporters for the drag storytime was also present.

Livestreamer Rukshan Fernando said locals were frustrated at the proceedings.

“It was more reactionary,” he previously told The Epoch Times. “The interruptions really began when the issue of the drag show came up, and the council gave its [pre-prepared] answer and wanted to move forward to the next topic.”

“I interpreted it as people weren’t satisfied with that answer,” he said.

Fernando added that the councillors might have been surprised by the sheer volume of community members that attended but said there were legitimate questions about why a local council was getting involved in high-level political issues.

“Some of their answers seem inadequate, like what is the premise of a council using ratepayers’ money to do these types of programmes?” he added.

Another Melbourne-based council, the Boroondara City Council, was forced to cancel a similar event after claiming it received threats, The Age reports.

Similar events have been held in the UK and U.S., with New York City public venues hosting such events since 2017, sparking backlash from the community.

In December, New York City police officers were forced to intervene when a protest turned into a riot between opposing sides outside a library in Jackson Heights in the borough of Queens, where a drag queen story reading was being held.