CAMPAIGNERS have staged a protest against an event involving a drag queen reading books to children at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The Drag Queen Story Hour theatrical experience at the Assembly Roxy was subject to a small number of protesters appearing outside the venue holding placards which read “Groom dogs not kids” and “Drag is for adults not children”.
Posters for the event had previously been defaced with a stickers which stated “Teach ABCs not LGBTs” and "Misogyny present".
Aida H Dee – the drag queen hosting the event – hit back at the campaigner’s calling on the event to be cancelled.
She told Pink News: “Let the protests come. Let them cover my posters if that's what they feel they need to do.
Police speak to an anti-drag protester outside of the Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh (Image: Gordon Terris)
“But I'm not going anywhere. The show will go on. I'll continue to be the proud, fabulous, defiant torchbearer of femininity, diversity, and love I've always been.”
It is believed that some campaigners are aiming to protest every single performance of Drag Queen Story Hour at this year's Fringe.
An Assembly spokesperson said: "Assembly Festival takes the safety of its audiences, staff, and performers very seriously and works closely with the local authority and other governing bodies to ensure that safeguarding processes are closely followed.
"Assembly Festival is satisfied that the performance of Drag Queen Story Hour is suitable for younger audiences and have no reservation in presenting it at the Fringe.
READ MORE: Plans submitted to repair concrete arch of Glenfinnan Viaduct
"The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is built upon the principles of open access and freedom of expression, and the Assembly Festival programme is carefully curated in the spirit of these values.
"Assembly has presented a popular and varied programme at the Fringe for over 40 years and offers a wide choice of family friendly entertainment.
"We respect the right of audiences to make their own individual choice when booking tickets, and hope that there is something in our programme for all to enjoy."
It comes as some of the biggest names in drag are set to come to Edinburgh for the festival, including two winners of Ru Paul’s Drag Race: Monet X Change and Scotland’s own Lawrence Chaney.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel