A mayor from Southwestern Ontario is condemning the protesters who interrupted two events over the weekend where drag performers read stories to children, stating he’s still coming to terms with what he saw.
Families came together at the Oxford County Library branches in Ingersoll and Tillsonburg at different times on Saturday for an event called drag queen storytime, celebrating Pride Month with books focused on acceptance, diversity, and inclusion.
Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie attended both gatherings to show support for inclusivity and the LGBTQ community, calling it the “most eye-opening, charged, happy, sad, hateful, and prideful day” of his time in office.
“I still haven’t fully processed that day,” Petrie shared in a statement released Monday. “I saw things that I hoped I would never see.”
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Libraries have been hosting drag storytime sessions for years with most going off without a hitch. However, this program has recently faced more hostility from anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans protestors across Canada and beyond.
This past Saturday, while tensions rose between protesters and supporters of the LGBTQ community during a drag storytime event in London, similar disturbances were taking place in Ingersoll and Tillsonburg.
Petrie described seeing adults yelling at children and their families, individuals making “white power symbols” while shouting “vile” remarks, along with grown men attempting to take over the children’s area while arguing with police while clutching bibles.
“In short,” he stated, “I saw a group of people demonstrate that they only care about their beliefs and not the right of others to have their own. A group that was only there to show ignorance and hate towards something they couldn’t understand.”
This sentiment was echoed by members of Oxford County Pride on social media who characterized the actions as “intrusive, abusive and frightening,” particularly for younger kids.
Despite facing opposition, Petrie mentioned there was also “another side” – one filled with celebration of inclusivity and diversity. He commended local politicians who showed up in support including several area councillors along with Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan. He also praised the “proud parents,” performers, library staff members and LGBTQ community members who remained composed throughout.
The Ontario provincial police intervened several times to keep protesters away during these events; however it wasn’t clear if any arrests were made.
The Oxford County Library is set to host another drag storytime event for Pride Family Day at Museum Square in Woodstock at 11:30 a. m. this Saturday.
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