A DUBLIN drag action that sees performers read stories to children has been forced to cancel a scheduled event among concerns over the safety of its performers and audience.
DIY drag collective Glitter Hole had been set to perform it’s Drag Story Time event at one of the capital’s Dun Laoghaire Rathdown (DLR) libraries as part of the city’s annual Pride celebrations.
However, the event has since been cancelled after its organisers were targeted by what they describe as “violent homophobia”.
Taking to Facebook, Glitter Hole outlined the circumstances surrounding the sudden cancellation.
“We were contacted by DLR last month and asked to put on one of our drag storytelling performances to celebrate Pride,” they said.
“Over the weekend we have been inundated with extremely violent homophobia from a frighteningly large group of bigots who believe that a few drag queens reading books to children amounts to child abuse.
“The library decided that the event was a safety risk, which we accepted given the scale and gravity of the vitriol that was being spewed on twitter.
They also hit out at DLR for issuing a statement citing “age appropriateness” as the chief reason behind the cancellation.
“The statement issued by DLR last night cites “age appropriateness” as their reason for cancellation. The implication here is that the content of our drag shows for adults has deemed us inappropriate children’s storytellers.
“There is no mention in this statement of the safety concerns for the performers and audience of the event due to the ongoing abuse we’re receiving online.
“DLR have labelled the queer people the risk in this scenario,” the post continues.
“The irony is that we were booked for Pride and yet after having hate speech directed at us all weekend, DLR have responded to that by deciding that we are incapable of providing an age appropriate family event.”
Speaking to PinkNews, DLR libraries insisted they “object to homophobia in all its forms.”
“As per our social media guidelines, we reserve the right to remove content or comments that may be considered offensive, abusive or defamatory,” the statement said.
“Health and Safety is always at the forefront of our concerns. We would like to reassure the public that this event is age-appropriate and family-friendly.”
Despite the cancellation, the team behind Glitter Hole are determined to continue promoting and performing the show.
“We have performed drag story time three times now and the response has always been entirely positive,” they said.
“We believe in the importance of this event and are determined to continue presenting it.”
