Several hundred people gathered outside the Coquitlam, British Columbia Public Library for a Drag Queen Story Time event for children.
Dozens of protesters against the event were greeted by hundreds of LGBTQ+ supporters. They were eye to eye in front of the library on Saturday around 10am
Several hundred people gathered outside the Coquitlam Public Library for a Drag Queen Story Time event. Global news
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Global news caught the heated action on camera as some protesters and activists got into several shoving matches before police arrived on the scene.
Supporters were heard chanting “There’s nothing wrong” at the protesters, while loud Disney music blared from the loudspeakers.
“It really makes me happy to see so many people coming out and supporting diversity and inclusion,” said Jessica Lane, an LGBTQ+ supporter.
“These protesters… I honestly don’t think they understand. It’s not about sexualizing kids, it’s about expressing that you can be who you need to be.
A protester gave his opinion on why he opposes the event, but declined to give his name.
He carried a large rainbow flag that read “Gays vs. Groomers.”
“What we consider progress may be too far off the mark,” he told Global News.
“Now we’re trying to impose gender identities and ideologies on children.”
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The event was hosted by “The Unstoppable” Conni Smudge, who shared her thoughts on the day.
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“The reason we’re here is because I really want to spread joy and understanding,” she said.
“I grew up in the 70s and I had nowhere to belong. Libraries have always been a place for me. It was a nice comfortable place where I could read and it was a place where I felt like I belonged.”
When Smudge saw the protesters for her event, she decided to focus more on the supporters.
“I couldn’t hear the haters, I couldn’t feel them,” she said.
“Today we built this bubble of love, I saw friends from high school and elementary school. People came from all over to support.”
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A representative of the Coquitlam Public Library told Global News that the event is the second time Drag History has been held. Saturday’s event was much bigger than the first, according to the official.
“What it shows to me is that our community and the communities around us are really resonating with the conversation about diversity and inclusion, and we’re happy to provide a space for that,” said Samantha Wink, communications manager for the Coquitlam Public Library.
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“We have had discussions with both parties. We always welcome open discussions as a public organization and an organization that values freedom of speech and knowledge. We invited all community members to either meet with us or submit their concerns.
Several Coquitlam RCMP officers arrived at the scene, but only after witnessing the physical altercations.
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