Tara Jeffrey
An ‘All You Need is Love’ rally is planned for this Saturday at the Book Keeper in Sarnia, ahead of the store’s monthly Drag Queen Story Time.
“We’ll be out in front of the store — bring your posters, your rainbow t-shirts, and bring your love,” Book Keeper owner Susan Chamberlain said of the event happening Jan. 28 at 9:30 a.m., about an hour before the latest Drag Queen Story Time session hosted by Amanda Villa.
“And that’s just what we’re going to have — a great little party out in front of the store, and then we’re all going to come in to have Drag Queen Story Time.
“We encourage you to bring your kids your grandkids, your grandmas your aunts and uncles — all ages are welcome.”
Drag Queen Story Time events — during which drag performers read family-friendly books to kids at places like book stores and libraries — are growing in popularity and are lauded for their efforts to encourage love and acceptance through inclusive storytelling.
But the events have been met with protestors in recent months, including a November incident during which a group of out-of-town men, masked and dressed in all black, were protesting outside of the Sarnia store.
Similar incidents have been popping up across Canada, where the groups have been met with counter-protestors and LGBTQ+ supporters.
“If we happen to have protesters that day, I encourage everyone to ignore them,” Chamberlain said in a video message on Facebook, promoting the event. “Just turn your backs on them; don’t acknowledge them. That’s what they’re looking for.”
“And we have all of that handled,” she added. “So you don’t worry about the protesters — you just bring your love and support the Book Keeper and support our 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”