There was a protest outside the Kelowna Library today against 'Drag Story Time', but critics of the popular program were greatly outnumbered by supporters.
By the time drag queen Freida Whales walked in, there were hundreds of demonstrators outside the library, a majority of them in support.
"Because they're after our kids, they are, in fact, after our kids", said "Dave".
He's a Christian Biker who came to rally against the event.
"They want to sexualize our kids," he said.
Graeme Flannigan has also been involved in the opposition to the event.
He said it's not just the drag queen, but some of the material that he finds objectionable.
"We just thought that information is a little young for three-year-olds," said Flannigan. "To wait for that information to an older, more appropriate age."
Comments from those opposing the event were often drowned-out by chants like, "Hey-hey, ho-ho. Homophobia's got to go!", from supporters.
"There are about 300 people out to support our community," said Wilbur Turner. He represents Advocacy-Canada.lgbt.
"This is a really good message to Kelowna and to our community that love really does win."
Turner added that despite the confrontations that these events tend to draw, the 2SLGBTQ+ community can't back down.
"Bowing to that intimidation and harassment is really what they want us to do. So it's not something that we are prepared to do."
There were about a dozen RCMP members on hand, and several formed a line to help avoid physical confrontations.
"Definitely pleased that it didn't boil over," said Danielle Hubbard, the CEO of the Okanagan Regional Library.
"The week leading into this event, I have been a little nervous," she said.
"I'm fine with the fact that people have different views. I think that's great. I just really wanted it to be a positive experience once we got to the day of."
Once story time got underway the library was packed full of people, and the story time area was overflowing with participants and supporters.
"That is, I think gratifying to myself and my staff," she said. "We are providing a program that is resonating wth the community."
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
