The drag queen set to read stories to kids at the Coquitlam Public Library isn’t backing down despite threats that people will show up to protest the event this weekend.
Conni Smudge says the library has been supportive, hiring extra security and being in touch with the police. Despite safety and contingency plans that include Smudge driving in secretly, she says she would rather come in publicly.
“It’s like if Rosa Parks didn’t sit in the front seat, everyone would be sitting in the back. So I just can’t do it.”
Drag queen story time, during which performers read age-appropriate stories to kids, is nothing new across Canada’s public libraries. The Coquitlam Public Library said 70 families attended its story time last year. However, it was still met with protests from anti trans-groups.
For the upcoming event, instead of hiding, Smudge has asked her supporters to accompany her from the Waterfront Skytrain station in Downtown Vancouver all the way to the Coquitlam library.
“So we’re just going to go out and I’m gonna go inside and the kids are going to be safe and we’re going to have a gay old time.” -Conni Smudge
In a statement, the Coquitlam Public Library says it’s committed to creating a diverse space that promotes inclusion, openness, and learning, and that Saturday’s book-reading will be followed by a craft activity for the kids.
“It is also a safe space and opportunity for attendees to meet other community members and learn about the LGBTQ2IA+ community.”
Sometimes protesters of these events will say they’re against them because they believe drag is sexual and adult by nature.
Cheryl Trade, who previously performed at the library, says people often don’t take the time to understand what a drag performance is.
“I think there’s a lot of misconception about what events like this actually is,” Trade said.
“When you think of it from, say, a five year old’s perspective, what they see is a sparkly drag queen, somebody who looks like a superhero dressed up reading a children’s story.”
Trade says there’s a lot of misconceptions about these events having a “hidden agenda.”
“I think to say that all drag performers are appropriate for children would not be correct but [saying] no drag performers are appropriate for minors is also incorrect. It’s just like any other artist out there, like a musician, an actor, a singer,” she said.
Just as specific artists tailor their acts for different audiences, Trade tailors hers to be age appropriate.
“I wouldn’t obviously do the same show that I would do at midnight at a nightclub to an 11’oclock reading to a children’s event at a library,” she said.
“It’s just like any other art form.”
Both Smudge and Trade grew up without seeing themselves represented in their communities, and say they do drag queen story time because it’s something that would have helped them when they were young.
“There’s always going to be people that are against queer community and against drag performers. People don’t want to learn and they don’t want to take the time to understand what a drag performer is…,” Trade said.
Smudge says she anticipates playing music and dancing on the SkyTrain on the way to Saturday’s event. Knowing that there will be people at the event who are against what she represents, she’s prepared herself mentally and emotionally.
“I have to check in with my intent and go back to my focus, which is just creating space for everyone to be who they want to be,” she said.
“If somebody doesn’t like what I’m doing, that is totally cool. Change the channel but don’t stop me from doing what I want to do. I’m not stopping you from doing what you want to do. Let’s just live and let live.”