A DRAG queen who tours the country reading books to families was interrupted at a performance in Reading Central Library on Monday, July 25.
Aida H Dee was performing Drag Queen Story Hour, where she visits libraries and reads to families to promote literacy and acceptance.
Her tour of 100 libraries around the UK began here in Reading with the performance.
Protestors gathered outside the library, and the reading was beset by them shortly after it began at around 10.30am.
During the event, protestors shouted from the street with megaphones to disrupt the reading, which was held on the third storey.
Video footage also shows two protestors who gained access with a child in a pushchair, and began to shout slurs.
One of them continued by saying that the event was “disgusting” and that it was “allowing child grooming.”
Police forcibly removed the two women from the event, and footage uploaded to online protest groups shows members of the public arguing with officers and also attempting to gain access.
One shows a man attempting to gain access to make a “citizens arrest,” claiming the event to be “illegal.”
Once they were removed, the event continued.
After finishing the event, Aida was escorted from the building by police for her own safety.
As she left, footage shows more protestors standing off with police, who had to physically hold many of them back.
Aida went on to perform in Tilehurst Library later that afternoon where further protests were staged outside the building.
With Drag Queen Story Hour coming to Whitley Library and Southcote Library on Tuesday, July 26, she says that the events will continue as planned.
“We’re going to go ahead, as usual, and if protestors are there, they’re there– we have things in place to protect ourselves, and our attendees.”
Aida says that protestors are “evidence” that Story Hour events are necessary.
“These people are why we do what we do– Drag Queen Story Hour UK exists because these people exist.
“If there were no backlash, nobody shouting things like ‘a man can’t be a woman,’ all the shows would be is a fun hour of interactive storytelling.
“But it becomes political because these people are making it a political issue.”
In a statement released today, Aida said: “There is absolutely no sexual language during any of these shows nor are children exposed to sexual situations.
“What is confusing is that these groups are attempting to create a sexual focus here where none exists by drawing attention to sex and sexuality.
“These stories celebrate the diversity found among human beings, and the delivery of these stories is a celebration of communities who have been historically marginalised and have historically had their voices silenced.
“To attempt to silence their voices here as well is regressive and to claim a person’s sole existence is sexual is insulting.”
Drag Queen Story Hour UK is an established children’s entertainment troupe, which sees drag performers travelling around the country holding free interactive shows for children.
The events aim to promote diversity and acceptance of others, as well as encourage families to visit and use libraries, take up reading, and promote the art of storytelling.
Aida H Dee is an advocate for neurodivergence, a published author, and a patron of Autistic Inclusive Meets London, which supports families and individuals with autism.
