The auditorium at the Terryberry branch of the Hamilton Public Library was packed as Hexe Noire’s Drag Storytime was about to begin.
Dozens of young children — as well as many adults — looked at Noir’s colorful dress and Kermit doll just before the music started, kicking off Thursday morning’s event.
The show started with a song that got the kids dancing along.
With 138 in attendance, the room was packed, with some families who wanted to attend saying the event was full.
“Kids often feel like they’re not the same as other people,” Noir told CBC Hamilton. “I think it’s important for kids to know that this is good, that this makes the world beautiful.”
One of the books Noir read was It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr. Noire said her favorite part of the book is where it says, “It’s okay to eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub.”
“It’s just a funny, stupid thing. It’s okay if you want to be that kid who just marches to the beat of their own drum,” she said.
Hexe Noire hosts many other drag stories in Hamilton, including at the Binbrook branch of the Hamilton Public Library on November 14th. (Aura Carreño Rosas/CBC)
Noire also read Aunti Uncle: Drag Queen Hero by Ellie Royce, a story about a boy and his drag queen uncle who rescues a puppy during Pride.
“[The uncle] there’s a bit of turmoil about what his friends who know him as his male persona are going to think and what his friends who know him as his female persona are going to think, and it’s just that it’s okay for him to be both.”
“Programs like this are needed”
The event was a first for the industry, but not for HPL. Noire was also at the Binbrook branch on November 14.
HPL said the program aims to make all people in Hamilton “feel welcome and represented”.
“This Storytime family program communicates and celebrates the diversity of individuals and families,” said Shelly McKay, communications manager at HPL, in an email to CBC.
The library had planned previous Drag Storytime events, McKay added, but they had been canceled in the past due to COVID-19 precautions. The library has received requests to host the program at other branches in the system.
A supporter of the drag event stood outside the Terribury branch of the library and played the guitar to drown out the shouting protesters. (Aura Carreño Rosas/CBC)
Although it was the first in Terryberry, it was not Noire’s first story. She has read to many other children throughout Hamilton.
As part of the LGBTQ+ community, she believes it’s important for people to hear different stories.
“For my community, for myself, for the people around me that I love and admire, programs like this are necessary.”
“It feels great that the children were able to come out today with their families and experience a wonderful, loving event, standing together, enjoying songs, music, dance, puppets and books.”
Community members show up to protect the event
However, this was the first time Noire said there was any kind of protest at a historic event she was involved in.
As families listened inside the library, a group of about 20 people showed up outside to protest the event after a call for it was posted on Facebook a few days earlier by someone based in the Toronto area.
The posts went viral on social media leading up to the event, which prompted a large number of Storytime supporters — more than twice the number of protesters — to gather outside the library, holding Pride flags and playing music.
Similar crowds of supporters showed up to protect drag events in other Canadian cities earlier this year, such as Calgary and Winnipeg. The targeting of libraries and performers elsewhere through hateful comments and threats has sparked multiple police investigations and renewed concerns about the safety of the LGBTQ community in both Canada and the US
In Hamilton, a line of at least six police officers stood between supporters and protesters. Police also stood inside the library by the auditorium door.
“No place for hate”
Seth Hunter, a supporter of the library, told CBC Hamilton they are there to ensure the event goes ahead.
“Story time has been happening in libraries since forever, as long as libraries have existed. It’s just narrated by a drag queen, someone who dresses up and is fun to watch, has a lot of energy and is great for kids,” Hunter said.
They said that while it was “sick” that a counter-protest was needed, they were glad to see the support.
“Every time a car passed and honked, we all cheered. [There] it was a lot of camaraderie.”
Another supporter, Chris Moores, said in light of the recent shooting that killed five people at an LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs, Colo., she wants to come out and protect kids.
She says it’s important to “maintain safe spaces for the community … so [I] came here to support the event and the people.”
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horvath said in a statement Friday that the “organized hate and discrimination” at the library Thursday was “unacceptable” and said there was “no place for hate in any form in our community.”
“I am committed to working collaboratively with communities, partners and leaders to address hate, systemic racism and discrimination in all its forms,” she said.
Kindergarten teacher Rachel Smith brought her class to the storytelling event. She said the children loved the experience and that it was important for children to attend such events. (Aura Carreño Rosas/CBC)
Noire said it was scary knowing there was a hate group planning to show up, which made her question beforehand if the event should go ahead.
“But you know what? It’s scarier to think that they’re out there somewhere… They think they’re protecting kids. They’re hurting kids.”
Kindergarten teacher Rachel Smith brought her class to the stories and said she hopes HPL will do more of them.
“[Noire] did amazing. I think as a daycare provider it’s so important to get out there. It’s a beautiful day, there’s no reason not to show up.”
Smith said the kids loved the event.
“The music, the dancing, the pretty, bright colors, the messages in the two stories that she [read] were so important. And I think the Hamilton Public Library should host more events like this.”
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