ABC forced to cancel drag story time event

The ABC will no longer film a “drag story time” event at Rockdale Library in Sydney’s south for the official Mardi Gras broadcast following backlash it has labelled “hateful and offensive”.

It comes after the national broadcaster recently asked parents of three to five-year-olds to participate in the four-hour event at the library on February 22 as part of Mardi Gras.

But backlash online has forced the ABC to cancel the public event while it considers “how we can safely host it”

Those who questioned it included gender-critical feminists, Christian groups, Liberal Senator Alex Antic and the Institute of Public Affairs, according to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

“The ABC condemns the hateful and offensive response we have received from some individuals in response to the callout for this event,” the ABC said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

“These events are designed for families and are regularly held in public spaces.

“The ABC is the official host broadcaster for the 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

“As part of this partnership the ABC showcases the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community, aligning with its charter obligation to reflect all Australians.”

The cancellation comes as Jerome Cox, a Liberal councillor at Sydney’s Hills Shire Council, will in a separate matter urge fellow councillors on Tuesday night to support a motion that rejects “any encouragement or facilitation from Local Government NSW or any other group … for the Council to host drag or sexualised material designed to target children”.

The motion is in response to a local government conference held last year which passed a separate motion in support of drag story time events. City of Sydney council put forward the earlier motion asking Local Government NSW to support councils to facilitate safety solutions to ensure drag story time and similar events can take place at council facilities safely for performers and attendees.

When Cox was approached by GSN on Tuesday, he requested questions be put in an email.

He had not responded by the time of publication.

Activist group Pride In Protest encouraged community members to attend the meeting with pride and union flags as part of a protest.

“Our communities should be united in opposing bigotry, and offering genuine education and care for young people of all genders and sexualities,” said Esther Niamh, a Pride in Protest spokesperson.

Cassandra The Queen, a Sydney drag story time presenter, told GSN that the events allowed parents and children to learn more about self-expression.

“Drag story time provides a safe space for kids and supporters to see different versions of people that they can aspire to be,” she said.

“It also provides a space to be creative and artistic that is devoid of judgement and prejudice.”

Cassandra The Queen said some people had preconceived notions of what drag story time is but at the end of the day it was just an exciting and creative way to tell stories.

“I remember at one of the events we did there was a ‘hater’ who came and after the event told us that this was not the drag story time they were expecting.

“They didn’t realise how wholesome and fun it is. So it changed their mind and judgement.”

Drag queen Charisma Belle said the events were about more than helping young children be more mindful. They were also a chance to teach them it is OK to be different.

“As adults we have a duty to help all children reach their full potential in a loving and supportive fashion. Adults that are against drag story time will learn a lot from it,” she said.

Belle said drag story time is all about teaching a range of issues to children.

“Why can’t we teach kids that differences are great; they make us special and by accepting everyone’s individuality we all become better humans.”