Ontario NDP, witch, drag queens, non-binary persons call for public safety zones around drag events

The Ontario NDP has introduced a bill seeking to create community safety zones around drag events for children in response to increasing protests and opposition, with one drag performer claiming during a press conference that "a world without drag has never existed."

Kristyn Wong-Tam, who has they/them pronouns and is MPP for Toronto Centre, introduced a private member’s bill seeking to create safe zones of 100 meters around any establishment that is hosting a drag event, prohibiting “homophobic, transphobic acts of intimidation, threats, offensive threats, offensive remarks, protest, disturbance and distribution of hate propaganda.”

“What brings us here is deadly serious,” said Wong-Tam at a press conference, flanked by an odd assortment of flamboyant characters.

Wong-Tam then proceeded to explain that the “2SLGBTQ+” community in Ontario is facing increasing “hate and violence,” citing a rise of over 60 percent between 2019 and 2021. No specifics were given, but Wong-Tam explained that it was necessary for government and law enforcement to step in.

While Wong-Tam didn’t produce any examples of hate crimes against the adult entertainers who enjoy reading stories to young children, the NDP MPP was able to give a long list of protests that have occurred throughout the province, which included Ottawa, Hamilton, Pembroke, Guelph, and Toronto.

Wong-Tam has been asking Conservatives how they plan to keep this community safe, and after receiving only “vague, unfocused, and ultimately unhelpful” replies, Wong-Tam explains that “the drag communities are done waiting.”

"Trans people are being told that they need to be eradicated from this world," said drag performer Scarlett BoBo during the press conference. "We are being forced into fear and we cannot let fear win. We will not let fear win. A world without trans people has never existed. A world without drag has never existed, and it never will. Queer people have always been here amongst us. They are our coworkers. They're our brothers, our sisters. They're our mothers, our fathers. They're our families. Drag is art. Drag is culture. Drag is educational. Drag is creative. Drag is comedy, but drag is not a crime."

The proposed bill is called the Protecting 2SLGBTQI+ Communities Act, and aside from creating designated safe zones around drag events would also enable the formation of “an advisory committee made up of MPPs and diverse queer and trans community members who will provide recommendations to prevent and combat anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate crimes in Ontario."

Wong-Tam’s bill is co-sponsored by the Ontario NDP’s “2SLGBTQI+” caucus: MPPs Jill Andrew (Toronto – St. Paul), Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay–Superior North), and Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre).

Crystal Quartz, a drag artist who performs for corporate and all-age events across Ontario, said drag shows are not much different than going to a pop concert.

“What I do is not much different than what you would see at a theatre or going to see your favourite pop artist in concert. The only difference is that I was assigned male at birth. In these safe and inclusive spaces simply by being my joyful and loving self it creates an environment which allows others to feel the freedom to be themselves. These are happy and loving environments that you should be able to attend without fear,” explained Quartz.

A perusal of the all-ages drag performer’s social media accounts turn up the inevitable sexualized images.

An online petition launched by Wong-Tam describes drag as “a liberating and empowering art form that allows diverse communities to see themselves represented and celebrated.”

But those opposed to children being exposed to drag queens argue that not only is the art form adult entertainment inappropriate for children, but also that it is a form of ideological indoctrination.

“Drag Queen Story Hour is the syringe. Queer theory is the poison in it,” said Mike Harlow recently.