Drag Queens Forced to Stop Reading ‘Dear Zoo’ to Children Amid Protests at Belfast Library

Published: 06 July 2025. The English Chronicle Online

Tensions flared at Holywood Arches Library in Belfast when two drag performers were forced to abandon a children’s reading session after protesters gathered outside, disrupting the event. The session, featuring Lady Portia Di’Monte reading the beloved children’s book Dear Zoo and Miss Dora Belle narrating in sign language, was brought to an abrupt end amid vocal opposition and police intervention.

A woman in the crowd was heard shouting, “shame on both of you, leave the kids alone,” reflecting the hostility directed toward the event. As the situation escalated, police escorted the performers from the premises to prevent further disturbance, drawing attention to the increasing controversy surrounding drag queen story hours.

The incident has drawn condemnation from members of the drag community and allies. Crystal, a drag artist and contestant from the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, described the scene as “very depressing,” emphasizing that allowing a vocal fringe group to cancel such events sets a dangerous precedent. Crystal argued that the protesters do not represent the majority of society and warned against the normalization of such intolerance.

Northern Ireland’s Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, weighed in on the controversy, labeling the event “not appropriate for children.” He expressed concern that the incident compromised the image of public libraries as welcoming, inclusive spaces for all and called for consistent enforcement of library policies across Northern Ireland.

Crystal dismissed the protests as recycled transphobia and drew historical parallels to mid-20th-century rallies opposing women wearing trousers, highlighting the cyclical nature of such discriminatory movements. They strongly refuted claims that drag performances are inherently sexual or unsuitable for children, noting that many in the UK are familiar with family-friendly drag through pantomimes and similar events.

“Children sit around, open their storybooks, and you read to them,” Crystal explained. “You might do some interactive games, ask them questions, but it is very kid-focused and safe. It is nothing different than what you would see in any school conducted by a ‘normal’ teacher.”

This is not an isolated incident; drag queen story hours have sparked protests in other parts of the UK, including a notable event in Reading in 2022, where demonstrators stormed a library during a children’s story session, shouting while youngsters listened quietly to a tale about a bullied goat.

The Belfast episode underscores the ongoing cultural debates around inclusivity, children’s programming, and public spaces. Advocates for drag story hours maintain that such events promote diversity and acceptance, while opponents argue over the appropriateness of drag performances in children’s settings.

As communities continue to grapple with these issues, the incident at Holywood Arches Library has become another focal point in the broader conversation about representation, freedom of expression, and societal values in Northern Ireland and beyond.