Protesters storm Monash City Council meeting over drag queen story time event for kids
A Melbourne council is determined to proceed with an upcoming drag story time event after its meeting was derailed by protesters | WATCH
Drag queen Sam Thompson says there is nothing sexual about her reading to children, following a scuffle where protesters stormed a Melbourne council meeting and hurled slurs like “pedophiles” and “groomers” at councillors on Wednesday night.
More than 170 protesters crashed and disrupted the Monash City Council meeting, shouting “Shame on you” and “Hands off our kids” over a Drag story time event at Oakleigh Library that Thompson will host in May.
“I did not anticipate death threats, revolting slurs being hurled my way, or for my safety to be at risk,” the drag queen said.
“I understand the difference between a club performance, a hen’s party or in this case reading to children on a day that is supposed to be celebrating love and acceptance.
“Nothing about my reading a book to children is subversive or overtly sexual. Parents and carers will be there with their children and have chosen to be there.
“I ask people to respect that choice.”
The scheduled reading hopes to inspire young readers while “spreading a message of equality and appreciation of diversity” to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
“If it doesn’t affect you, don’t come,” Thompson said.
“My only agenda as a performer is to entertain people. Drag is my full-time career after graduating with a bachelor of music theatre and I will continue to entertain all audiences.”
Thompson, who has a working with children check, urged people to “share love, not hate”.
At the southeastern council meeting, the crowd grew unruly to the point where it was temporarily adjourned, with police present to keep protesters away from a separate group in the lobby of the building chanting “trans is beautiful”.
The scuffle is a culmination of complaints directed to local councillors starting from March this year, when the event was shared on social media.
Oakleigh councillor Stuart James said he had received derogatory emails, one of which said “Homosexuals are a disease”, and condemned the actions of the protesters.
“I actually think it’s completely inappropriate. I think that people should be free to do whatever they want to do if it doesn’t affect other people,” he told The Australian.
“I think it’s frankly disgraceful the behaviour that occurred last night. We had people from the LGBTQIA+ community there to ask questions about legitimate issues for them, and the abuse hurled at those people in walking up to answer questions is just unacceptable.”
Monash chief executive Andi Diamond said the council was “committed” to delivering the event to support the LGBTQIA+ community.
“We understand this is not for everyone and have scheduled it outside our regular library programs so that parents who bring their children have made a deliberate choice to attend,” Dr Diamond said.
He said the council would continue to conduct risk assessments to ensure the drag story time could be delivered safely.
Victoria Police confirmed there were no arrests at the meeting and that it would monitor the library’s event in May.
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