The ABC last week cancelled a drag storytime event it had planned at Rockdale Library ahead of Sydney Mardi Gras due to what the broadcaster said was a “hateful and offensive response” to its callout for participation. The ABC said it was considering ways to host the event safely.
The storytimes typically involve a drag queen reading children’s books from the local library to children aged about three to five. But they have attracted protests,includingbomb threats made to Manly Library early last year.
Hills Shire Liberal councillor Jerome Cox,who put the motion last Tuesday,said groups could still hire council facilities for drag queen storytime events,but the council would not host them.
“If anyone wants to put this on,they can do it. It’s not saying that this is illegal in The Hills,” he said.
Cox said the council already hosted events for children that encouraged learning. “I don’t think we should be partnering with groups that have an agenda,social or religious,” he said.
But Greens councillor Mila Kasby,one of two to oppose the motion,said it “alienated members of the LGBTQI+ community” and showed they were not supported by the council.
“We know this motion is not really an objection to reading books,wearing colourful clothes or playing music,” she said. “It is an objection to queer people and an implication that their presence is a danger to children.”