Coquitlam Public Library shelves Drag Queen Storytime due to safety concerns from anti-SOGI protests

The Coquitlam Public Library has decided to postpone Saturday’s Drag Queen Storytime event due to public safety concerns associated with anti-sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) education protests planned.

Another “1 Million March 4 Children” protest, which has united a mix of far-right, conspiratorial and religious ideologues across the country, planned to disrupt the library’s event.

They appear to have triggered enough safety concerns for library administrators to shelve the Oct. 21’s storytime, at least temporarily.

Samantha Wink, communications manager with the library, said although the staff are saddened to postpone, the number of anti-SOGI protesters reportedly attending was worrisome

“We’re just being careful,” Wink said. “Public safety is how we looking at it, rather than an issue of capitulating to a vocal minority.”

Hundreds of protesters showed up to a 1 Million March 4 Children rally outside of Coquitlam City Hall on Sept. 20, and at least one counter protester was assaulted.

Dozens of other anti-SOGI protests are set to take place on Saturday across B.C.

The Coquitlam RCMP had consulted with library administrators, which led to their decision, according to Cpl. Alexa Hodgins, media officer with the department.

Hodgins said there are high-risk events taking place simultaneously on Saturday, each of which will require an adequate security presence.

She said previous Drag Queen Storytime events and the anti-SOGI protests have been very well attended by supporters and opponents in the past, and any future dates will need additional resources.

“The previous storytime was a singular event happening. This one was going to be during the same time of two protests,” Hodgins said. “Additional resources on top of what was already scheduled would be needed in order to support them.”

There was some confusion as to how the decision to postpone the event came about. 

Tri-City Pride Society (TCPS) released a statement on Oct. 13 stating the library was required to postpone the event, and a Tri-City News article reported library staff informed them the decision came at the request of the RCMP.

Brett Collins, president of the TCPS, said they were informed through their contacts at the library that the RCMP requested it be postponed. “I think the library wasn’t really given a choice here,” Collins said.

However, Hodgins said Coquitlam RCMP never asked for a postponement, and Wink said the decision was ultimately with library administrators.

While Collins said they sympathized with the challenges both organizations are facing, it still sends out a “very dark message.”

“Essentially, people come in from outside our community and tell us we’re not allowed to have things that reflect the diversity of our community,” Collins said. “It sends out the message that you can tell communities that threat of violence will work.”

Wink said whenever storytime events are held, the support is always very localized while SOGI opponents call in to complain from other provinces and even the U.S. “It seems like the support is a lot more homegrown,” she said. 

Library staff are currently looking for another date to hold the event that will work with the performers and other existing programs, according to Wink.

Collins said it disappointing to see the latest wave of anti-SOGI protesters influence decision making, but said they were heartened by the continued support of the library and city for more Pride events in the community.

“Our community has said over and over again it wants to see (these events) happen in our community,” Collins said. “Over and over again certain people look for things that they think they can use to drive wedges between people.”