Drag Story Time draws demonstrators on both sides of debate

Organizers of Drag Story Time at The Ledge in Simcoe were disheartened by some of the criticism they heard prior to the event.

But Catherine Wiebe and Jason Mayo say the hurtful comments demonstrate how important it is to have such events in the community.

“The criticism and many of the comments I’ve seen and heard were disheartening to say the least,” Catherine Wiebe, of Firefly and Fox Books, in downtown Simcoe. “But I’ve always stood up for inclusion and diversity and that’s why we’re holding this event.

“I think it’s important for our community and I think it’s important for our youth.”

Wiebe said she received a lot of comments from people, some of which were really, quite hurtful.

But not once did she think about cancelling.

The event featured a reading by Jason Mayo, a long-time educator, dressed in drag as Ms. Cherry. He read three stories Perfectly Norman, by Tom Percival, Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima and When We Are Kind, by Monique Gray Smith.

The event was held in collaboration with Firefly and Fox Books, Pride Haldimand-Norfolk at The Ledge, a store in downtown Simcoe.

Speaking to a report prior to the event, Mayo said he didn’t read any of the social media comments.

However, Mayo said he was made aware of some of what had been posted by acquaintances.

“I purposely avoid it because I figure it’s just coming from some keyboard warriors,” Mayo said. “They’re entitled to their opinion and that’s fine.

“But the comments, at least from what I’ve heard, just show how important it is for us to have these kinds of events.”

Mayo said children of all ages, especially those who might feel different or marginalized, need to feel like they’re part of the community.

One of the ways that happens is when children see themselves reflected in public events.

“If they don’t see themselves reflected in the community, then they’ll migrate to the bigger cities,” Mayo said. “When they leave, the don’t come back and that, I think, is a loss for our community.”

Mayo said he wished those who are uncomfortable with the event would attend it with an open mind.

The reading was billed as a family friendly event and a way to spread some joy in the downtown.

The event attracted a small, peaceful crowd, representing both sides of the debate.

Among them was Thecla Ross of St. Williams, who ran as a trustee candidate for the Brant Haldimand-Norfolk Catholic District School Board in the last municipal election.

Ross carried a sign that said, in part, “it’s wrong to force the kids to be here.”

She said she was at the protest because “children need protecting”. Ross said adults can choose to attend such events. “But why bring children into it?”

On the other side of the protest was local radio personality Robyn Beazley.

Beazley, carrying a sign that stated “Hate has no home here,” stood outside the entrance of the store.

“I feel that as somebody that a lot of people in the community know who I am, and to me, to be silent, in the face of bullying is not OK in any situation,” she said, adding it was important for her to come down and show support for the organizers and those attending.

“I really just came down here today because I’m known as being a little ray of sunshine so I figured if there was any cloudy behavior I could just sunshine it away,” she said.

Another member of the crowd said it’s important to hold events like the book reading.

“I’m a trans man and I have children and grandchildren and they need to be able to access places like this where they can feel safe,” said a man who didn’t provide his name but said he is a long-time member of the queer and trans community. “It’s not a crime to read stories, right.”

— With files from Postmedia

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