a reading workshop for children led by drag queens targeted by the far right
The far right is mobilizing to broadcast a reading for children at the municipal media library José Cabanis in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) by two drag queens. The event advocating benevolence and respect for others provokes a wave of hatred and insults.
“The file is on Jean-Luc’s desk Moudenc who bends over it with attention“. The town hall of Toulouse does not take the matter lightly. Launched at the beginning of December by the Manif for Ours on social networks, the organization of a reading workshop at the Media Library Sheds for 3-6 year olds, Saturday February 18, hosted by two artists drag queens continues to provoke an increasingly strong reaction from the extreme right.
The publication of a petition “against drag readings for young children” train by Furie Française, a small group born from the Toulouse ashes of Génération identitaire, has accelerated the mobilization. The petition, now deleted, expected, Monday, January 23, 2023, nearly 5000 signatures, bringing in its wake a wave of indignant reactions and particularly violent insults on social networks: “ignominy”, “leftist pedophiles”, “errors of nature”, “depravity”.
Contacted, Shanna bananaIa of the two drag queens participating in this event organized in partnership with Espace Diversités Laïcité did not respond to our request.
In La Dépêche du Midi, the transformist artist explains that these readings allow “to approach stories that promote benevolence, respect for others and differences” through different themes such as single parenthood or autism. The objective is notpromote their sexual orientation or way of life.“
The Toulouse situation is not isolated. As the report our colleagues from France 3 Bretagne, a reading of stories to children by a theater company, led by a collective of drag queens, is currently provoking strong reactions from the side of the Catholic movement and the right-wing municipal opposition of Lamballe-Armor.
Last December, in Bordeaux, a show for children with a drag-queen had previously been targeted by the far right and host Cyril Chanuna. The Bordeaux municipality wanted to support the event.
Dmitri bullydeputy mayor of Bordeaux in charge of culture, had declared to the daily The world : “Culture, citizen emancipation help keep our democracy healthy, and I can’t stand these attacks which are certainly unfounded, but just have the ambition to create buzz.“
In Toulouse, the town hall could decide to communicate soon on this reading belonging to the queer month Toulouse municipal libraries which offer “to go beyond clichés and understand by what unites: sharing and creating.“