“Bitch Please”: Drag Queens Respond To Abuse By Young Libs At Kids Event
Footage of the Young Liberals chanting "drag queens are not for kids" has gone viral on social media.
UPDATE 4PM 13/01/20
It has been reported that one of the students involved in the protest took his own life this morning.
Earlier today Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington refused to comment on the reports out of respect for his family.
“I think today is a day to think about a bit of compassion and respect for people,” she said.
If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Headspace on 1800 650 890.
Support has flooded in for the two drag queens who were targeted by homophobic slurs during a children’s storytelling event in Brisbane yesterday.
The queens in question, Queeny and Diamond, handled the situation with class that must have taken superhuman strength to muster.
Footage shows Diamond calmly telling a protestor who was yelling in their face, “bitch please … thank you for coming”. The protestors identified themselves as being part of the University Of Queensland’s Liberal National Club.
They can be seen surrounding Queeny and Diamond while shouting, “drag queens are not for kids”.
So the UQ Young Liberals decided to interrupt story time at a public library where a drag queen is reading to children only to be abused by homophobic slurs @LiberalAus. What are they doing to support the community? pic.twitter.com/dB7zXeVL7i
— CORY (@corydunco) January 12, 2020
Queeny and Diamond were taking part in a Drag Queen Storytime event at Brisbane Square Library, organised by Rainbow Families Queensland. Kids were enjoying reading, singing, dancing and crafts when the students disrupted the event to shout their abuse.
Johnny Valkyrie, whose drag persona is Queeny, spoke out about the incident last night.
Today, I went to Brisbane Libraries to read to children and families, an event organised by at Brisbane City Council for…
Posted by Johnny Valkyrie on Sunday, 12 January 2020
“I want you to know that the love, support and coverage flowing from this incident is keeping me afloat,” Johnny said.
“I collaborate occasionally with Rainbow Families Queensland & Brisbane Libraries to deliver safe, enjoyable family oriented activities for LGBTQIA+ families, friends and anyone who believes in community, kindness and equality.”
“The comments on the defamatory posts made by the organisation prior to the event were slanderous, discriminatory and disgusting. However, I am more concerned about the children and families who were exposed to their hateful, aggressive rhetoric.”
Kids, pick your trauma ??♀️ #IStandWithQueens pic.twitter.com/apOhtHxhjv
— Samuel Leighton-Dore (@SamLeightonDore) January 12, 2020
The bigotry those idiots are spreading are doing more harm to the kids more then the drag queens that are reading to the children #IStandWithQueens
— ???????? (@50_Billion_ppl) January 12, 2020
I would rather my children would have spent time with #DragQueens than #YoungLiberals any day of the week! #IStandWithQueens ❤
— ?The Angry Goddess (@Bishop64) January 12, 2020
Johnny also responded directly to the members of the UQ Liberal National Club.
“I hope you find peace, and learn from the consequences of your actions. I expect consequence, I expect apology and I expect changed behaviour. I expect safety, respect and inclusivity in my community. I wish you personal growth.”
People have been sending their love and support to using the hashtag #IStandWithQueens.
Just wanna thank these three queens for helping to normalise drag when I was a kid in the late 90s/early 2000s. No doubt you played a part in setting me on a path that doesn’t involve me traumatising kids at public libraries. #YoungLiberals #IStandWithQueens pic.twitter.com/8r5lDiaPGz
— Liz Saunders (@saunders_liz) January 12, 2020
Everyone deserves safety, inclusivity & respect. That they targeted a safe place where children gather is beyond comprehension. I’m devastated for all involved #IStandWithQueens
— Annie Fisher (@handmadebyagirl) January 12, 2020
I would rather my kids spend an entire week with you reading to them, than a minute with those uninspiring and hateful young liberals. Their action, not yours, has probably scarred those kids. Keep spreading your love #istandwithqueens
— Lisa Lintern (@lisa_lintern) January 12, 2020
If I was a kid I’d be super freaked out by the creepy LNP drones interrupting ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’
— Amplify Magazine (@MagazineAmplify) January 12, 2020
Seriously, we should disrupt the "Liberal" Party wherever they meet. #IStandWithQueens
— Frew (@AKFRU) January 12, 2020
In a Facebook post, the UQ Liberal National Club said the protest was about “taking a stand against a corrosive gender ideology”. It’s not the first time the UQ branch has hit the headlines for being really, really gross — they’re the same group that caused outrage over that racist schoolies video last month.
In fact, it’s understood they have been disaffiliated by the LNP, and LNP politicians including Brisbane MP Trevor Evans and Brisbane councillor Vicki Howard have come forward to say the students do not represent the party.
The University of Queensland Union also released a statement saying it was “deeply disturbed” by the event.
“While the Union endorses freedom of expression and student activism, we strongly condemn aggressive behaviour that intimidates and causes distress to children and their families.
Police are now investigating the incident.
As a side note, Johnny — who was named 2019 Young Transgender Person Of The Year — is now using the publicity to help raise funds for affirmation surgery. For more information, or to donate, click here.
If you know me personally, you would have hear me say “I am Lyle Shelton’s worst nightmare!” My dream came true. Thank you Lyle-sy! ?#IStandWithQueens #YoungLiberals https://t.co/3FqIMI8BIQ
— Johnny Valkyrie (@johnevalk) January 12, 2020
Feature Image Courtesy Of Johnny Valkyrie/ Facebook.