Victoria Mayor Lisa Help showed her support on Friday for drag performers recently threatened with violence in the British Columbia capital in the best way he could – in a drag.
At the city’s annual flag-raising, Helps appeared with a fake beard and was joined by counselors Sarah Potts, also a drag, Charlene Thornton Joe and Stephen Andrew, as she condemned the violent threats to the Sashay Café event for all ages. . .
Helps said her outfit was “an act of solidarity and a member of the queer community.”
“These threats of violence have no place in our community,” she said. “Pride Month is about celebrating the love and right we all have in a free country like Canada, for everyone to love whoever they choose, to express their gender as they choose, and to feel safe in all places and spaces.”
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps appeared at the raising of the Pride flag as “an act of solidarity and a member of the queer community”, saying that “these threats of violence have no place in Canada”. Love will always prevail over hatred and anger. ” #yyj @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/id1uGXQcpb
– Cory Sidaway (@korisidaway) June 17, 2022
The event was scheduled to take place at Caffe Fantastico this Saturday, but was canceled after employees received harassing phone calls, including a June 15 call from someone threatening to “shoot the place and everyone in it,” said cafe owner Ryan Taylor. Police are currently investigating the calls.
“To all 2SLGBTQ + members of the Victoria community and all our allies, know that you are loved and that love will always prevail over fear, hatred and anger. “Congratulations,” Helps said.
The Prime Minister of British Columbia John Horgan also weighed in on the incident and showed support for the organizers, tweeting that those who threaten violence “do not represent our province.”
For those who spread homophobia and transphobia and threaten violence: you do not represent our province.
We are with the LGBTQ2S + community – during Pride and during the day.
– John Horgan (@jjhorgan) June 17, 2022
Threats come as some Republican politicians in Texas insist on banning minors from participating in drag shows, the latest in a wave of legislation against gays and transgender people leaving the state in recent months.
“It stems from ignorance, it stems from a lack of information and it stems from misunderstanding,” Victoria Pride Society President Britton Cohn said Thursday.
“Drag is not sexualized. And to intervene in burlesque or other forms of artistic expression means that more education must happen. When it comes to children, it’s by no means sexual. “
Employees of Caffe Fantastico also attended Friday’s ceremony.
The Victoria Pride Socie says it has added more security to all Pride Week events, including the Pride Parade on June 26, in light of the threats.
The Pride flag will fly in the town hall until Saturday, July 2. CHEK News will broadcast the parade live on Sunday, June 26 on CHEK TV and CHEK +.
The flag is raised, pride is on! pic.twitter.com/ryb7gkUhPD
– Cory Sidaway (@korisidaway) June 17, 2022
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