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Since when were drag queens for kids?

By Tim O'Hare - posted Wednesday, 15 January 2020


So, what is the issue?

Did the protesters go about it in a tactful way? Perhaps not, it may have been wiser to lobby LNP politicians to cancel these Drag Queen Storytime events or launch and E-petition.

Was is it appropriate? Some of the images of the protest leader pointing his finger at one of the drag queens appears aggressive and does not sit well with me.

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There are also reports that students were in tears because of the protest. Be that as it may, freedom of speech is more important than comfortable images or the temporary wellbeing of children

Personally, I favour a less combative form of free speech but, to outlaw protests that make some people uncomfortable, would be to outlaw all protests.

This event is being reported like it's a hate-crime but, to me, it just seems like a relatively rare conservative protest against an event deemed to be a Sacred Cow by the political left.

One of the Drag Queens, known as Johnny Valkyrie, said that 'This is not about politics. This is about humanity'.

Either Johnny Valkyrie is unfamiliar with the popular feminist slogan 'the personal is political' or he is wilfully ignoring it.

Put another way, what seems apolitical to one man is political to another.

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To Johnny Valkyrie, an LGBTQIA+ activist who has likely felt marginalized by society his whole life, a public library hosting Drag Queen Storytime might be just a necessary step towards educating the public on the diverse gender and sexual identities in our modern and pluralistic society.

Someone else may not have the same line of thought.

They may view Drag Queens as belonging purely in adult spheres such as night clubs and burlesque entertainment and the invitation for them to be present at a public library to be an imposition on families who are not ready to have difficult discussions of gender identity with young kids.

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Disclaimer: I began writing this before news of Wilson Gavin's tragic death was made public. As the story was still developing when I submitted this article for publication, I have not commented on it and wish to extend my deepest condolences to Wilson Gavin’s family and friends. Instead this article is about the event which sparked the outrage and the considerations around the ensuing controversy. 



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About the Author

Tim O’Hare is a Sydney-based, freelance commentator, originally from Brisbane. He has written about a range of subjects and particularly enjoys commenting on the culture wars and the intersection between politics, culture, sport, and the arts.

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