“We really are that third space for people,” said Lindsay Brock, director of library services for Middlesex County. Two drag queens read stories to children inside the Middlesex County Library in Parkhill, Ont. In Parkhill Saturday, the municipal library was the host. This event, put on by the Rainbow Optimists and Strathroy Pride, comes less than a week after Norwich Township Council in Oxford County banned all flags on municipal property, including the Pride flag. We didn't come out to big events like this.” “I was born in a small town in Quebec, and it was a scary time for us, so we just hid in the closet. “As a young tomboy, when I came out, there was nowhere for me to go,” said Ginn. She got emotional when talking about her life-long struggles. Ginn and a few fellow members came from all over southwestern Ontario to show their support. “Today we wanted to come here and show protection and help the community celebrate all of our inclusivity,” she added. “Historically, a butch - like myself, and I’ve been one for 50 years now - our role in the community has always been one of the great protector,” said Patricia Ginn, a member of the motorcycle group the Wind Sisters, who have more than 4,500 members in Canada and the U.S. Outside, a group of self-proclaimed protectors named the ‘Wind Sisters’ formed a chain in front of the entrance. Inside the library, three OPP officers attended the event to "keep the peace." Three OPP officers and Middlesex County Library Director Lindsay Brock at drag queen story time in Parkhill, Ont. We want to make sure they feel protected.” “We want to be supportive to everybody that's brave enough to come to these events. "It's unfortunate that a lot of families have to walk through that and I feel for the children who had to walk through that,” said Frank Emanuele, a director with Strathroy Pride. Strathroy Pride organizers escorted them from the parking lot to the event. “It's the sexualizing the outfits that they're wearing while they're reading to kids, I have an issue with that,” said Bubba Pollack, a protestor.Īs families tried to enter the library, protestors blared a siren from a megaphone. Just meters away, joy and laughter as two drag queens read stories to children inside.Ĭlose to two dozen people against the event gathered with signs and were vocal in opposition. Protestors and counter protestors came face-to-face on the sidewalk outside the Middlesex County Library in Parkhill, Ont.
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