(Quebec) Quebec differs from Tennessee politics in its relationship with drag queens. If the American state now limits their shows in public places, Quebec parliamentarians point out on the contrary that the tales they tell to children in libraries make the province “an example of equality and fairness for gender plurality communities around the world”.
At the initiative of Québec solidaire (QS), on Tuesday, the deputies unanimously adopted a motion which “deplores the rise of hateful and discriminatory remarks towards people from the LGBTQI2S community in the public sphere”. On Sunday, the City of Sainte-Catherine, in Montérégie, was forced to move the location of a reading of children’s stories, given by the drag queen Barbada, due to the presence of demonstrators who oppose such an activity. .
At the Blue Room, the motion that passed on Tuesday states that “the National Assembly stresses that drag queens should not, under any circumstances, face violent insults, intolerance and hatred for their participation in the reading of children’s stories”. At the protest on Sunday, a sign read that “drag queens have no place in our schools” and “their place is in 18+ schools.”
Asked about this, Minister Martine Biron, who is responsible for issues related to LGBTQ communities, said she was “sorry and saddened” to see protesters disrupt a popular family activity.
“I denounce what happened over the weekend. Honestly, I was sorry and pained by this demonstration, because essentially, I find that Barbada has given itself a good mission. His story time is not new. It has been since 2016 [that she has been organizing it]. Its mission is to demystify the love that is found outside the social norm. I think it’s a great mission,” she said.
“Must be interesting to see that for the kids.” Drag queens, with their costumes, wigs and sequins, attract attention and make children love reading,” added Ms. Biron.