'WE HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH WORK TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY'

When Orillia's library announced it would host a Drag Queen story time for children and their families, the public response ranged from enthusiastic support to angry opposition.

It was the latter — and significantly louder — backlash that left the library's CEO feeling like "a punching bag" in the week leading up to the June 11 reading.

Bessie Sullivan and her staff heard from what she described as a "really noisy minority," whose opposition arrived via email, phone calls and social media.

Some approached her in-person.

"There could have been a conversation, but there wasn't — there was vitriol, hatred and profanity," Sullivan said, adding that "their biggest fear seems to be that there's some sort of hidden 'gay agenda,' and that ... this human being causes some sort of danger to you."

The event was conceived as part of the library's ongoing efforts to promote diversity, inclusivity and empathy, and coincided with Pride Month.

Against a backdrop of glittery streamers, the colourfully attired drag queen known as Auntie Plum read to the assembled

group from titles in the library's children's collection that focused on the importance of diversity, respect for others and being yourself.

"Different is fine, different is cool in whatever that is," said Plum, also known as Shawn Laven. "Whether you wear glasses, whether you don't, whether you wear polo shirts or whether

you wear plaid shirts — who cares? We're just humans."

Laven, who often engaged the appreciative audience with humour, was aware of the backlash, saying it was not the first such reaction and likely wouldn't be the last.

"It helps us to know where we are at and what we still have to do," Laven

said.

Sullivan said some in the community warned that her job was at risk and demanded the event's cancellation.

Instead, she added a second reading for the same morning.

"All it told me was that we have not done enough work to have an inclusive society," she added.

Among the dozens of parents and children lined up for the first reading were Kristy Fleming and Brady O'Hanley, who brought their two-and-ahalf-year-old son.

"For me, it's really important to have my son be exposed to a variety of different people while he's young," Fleming said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's an entirely event."

O'Hanley concurred, adding it was important their child understand from an early age that "there is a whole world beyond just what you see."

James Kitney voiced similar sentiments while he and his nine-year-old daughter Morgan waited for the reading to begin.

"We've always been open with her to love everybody, so we thought it would be a good opportunity to show her the different ways of living, and how it's fine," Kitney said.

After the reading, Morgan said the takeaway message was that "anyone can be who they want."

Mayor Steve Clarke attended the same reading, calling it "a wonderful event with great life-affirming stories."

"It is important to celebrate our differences all year long, but even more so during Pride Month," he added. "Kudos to the library."

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STORY BEHIND THE STORY: After learning that a reading planned by the library had sparked an angry backlash among some community members, Simcoe.com felt it was important to find out what parents, children and library staff had to say about the event's role in promoting inclusivity and diversity.