So far, qathet Pride Week 2023 has been a hit in the qathet community.
Drag artist Chris Bolton, also known as Conni Smudge, has been busy with performances at Townsite Brewing, Edie Rae's Cafe, and tonight (Monday, August 14) at the Shinglemill Pub and Bistro.
Smudge found time to stop by Powell River Public Library (PRPL) on Monday afternoon to entertain folks with Drag Story Time with Conni Smudge.
According to Openly: “Children's storytime sessions led by drag queens are growing in popularity in countries from the United States to Japan – while fierce opposition campaigns are also gathering pace.”
On Monday, to support the qPride event, a group of qathet Pride Society members and community allies gathered through word-of-mouth outside PRPL with banners and flags to show support for LGBTQ2S+ folks and drag story time.
“I’ve done probably 100 story times in my life and [August 14] was on the top of all of them,” said Smudge. “It was so spectacular, the bubble of love that was created; there were about 50 supporters and only a few haters.”
Smudge was referring to a small group of folks who came out to the library to protest against drag story time and the group of supporters who showed up to support the Pride Week event.
“I’ve been dealing with this [hate toward LGBTQ2S+ community] over in Vancouver,” added Smudge. “There is a quote: ‘prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance.’”
Smudge has been coming to the qathet region for more than 20 years, performing in rented out halls, invited by qathet Pride Society (in the group’s various names and forms). Smudge said they like performing in unexpected places.
“That’s the way I love to do it, win hearts over by people just seeing I’m a regular person dancing around with joy,” added Smudge. “The [drag story time] supporters were there with signs and the children created sort of like a runway for me into the library. I felt joyous and special, and the room [inside PRPL] was set up fabulously.”
Around 45 adults with their children were at the event.
LGBTQ2S+ author and activist Michelle Tea came up with the concept of drag queen story hour in 2015 in San Francisco, as a child-friendly way to introduce her young son to LGBTQ2S+ culture.
“I did a panel with CBC’s Ian Hanomansing and the question asked was: Are we making progress or are we backtracking with diversity and inclusion?” said Smudge. “I said both things can be true at the same time.”
On Friday, August 11, qathet Pride Society hosted a Progress Pride flag raising event at Powell River City Hall, kicking off qPride Week 2023.
Pride events are a way to celebrate the LGBTQ2S+ community, diversity, inclusion and acceptance. To check out qPride Week events and schedule, go to qathetpride.ca/posts.
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