Emotions flare as protestors gather outside drag queen story time event in Kitsilano

Editor’s note: This article contains details that may be upsetting to some readers 

Protests at a children’s storytelling event featuring drag queens in Kitsilano are gaining attention online, as videos of anti-2SLGBTQ+ community protestors circulate.

Outside of the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House on Friday, a video on Twitter shows one woman with a megaphone shouting about “sexualizing children,” as what appears to be an alternate group of pro-2SLGBTQ+ community members sing a children’s song.

In another video by the account Community Over Convoys, demonstrators can be heard chanting “pedophiles.”

Yesterday at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, anti-LGBTQ2S+ protesters organized within the Convoy movement. They screamed “P*DOPHILE” and “GROOMER” at parents bringing their children to a community event. They engaged passersby in far-right rage baiting. This is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/ZCE6StAuZR

— Community Over Convoys (@COCVancouver) November 26, 2022

One person is also seen to be holding a sign that says “Stop grooming the children.”

In a statement following the event, the neighbourhood house says it is “committed to being welcoming and inclusive.”

The event was an hour-long “Story Telling with Drag Queens” program geared for families with young children.

“Two performers from Story Telling with Drag Queens will read stories and perform to music for an audience of children with families,” the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House said on social media.

The Story Telling with Drag Queens event was held on Friday. (Photo courtesy of the the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House)

The free event included a time to ask questions of the performers, and families with kids between the ages of three to 10 were invited.

The group says at the event, “We were confronted by bigotry, hatred and homophobia. There is no place for hate in our neighbourhood houses or our communities.”

“We celebrate diversity and treat everyone with respect. We strive to be allies with the 2SLGBTQ+ community, standing side by side, in the fight against homophobia. Unlike other marginalized groups facing acts of hatred 2SLGBTQ+ people do not always have the support of their families, underscoring the importance of ally-ship.”

A statement from the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House that was posted on Facebook. (Photo courtesy Kitsilano Neighbourhood House)

It adds that although there are many who support the community, it encourages people to speak out against hatred.

“We know that even though these voices of hate are loud, there is so much more love and support for our 2SLGBTQ+ neighbours. 2SLGBTQ+ people are our neighbours, our family, our friends, our colleagues, and an important part of our organization. We encourage all to speak up when you see and hear acts of bigotry. Everyone has a right to belong, and to live free from violence and discrimination.”

CityNews has reached out to the Vancouver Police Department for comment.