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Angry protesters stormed a library to protest a story time event hosted by a drag queen.
Protesters began gathering outside the Manly Library on Sydney’s northern beaches at around 10:15am on Saturday.
They lined up minutes before drag queen Charisma Belle was set to read stories to children inside the building.
Police officers were forced to form a human alley to allow children and parents to pass through the crowd of angry protesters.
Angry protesters have stormed a library to protest a storytelling event hosted by drag queen Charisma Belle
Protesters began demonstrating outside the Manly Library, on Sydney’s northern beaches, at around 10:15am on Saturday.
Several of the protesters were seen waving banners condemning the event.
‘Drag Queens are not for children,’ read one sign.
Another read: “Protect young children from sexualization and adult themes.”
Counter-protesters appeared en masse and tried to drown out the protesters by waving pride flags that hid the hateful banners.
‘Love is love’, they sang defiantly.
A woman in the crowd said they had come forward to make sure no one was hurt.
“We’re just here to make sure the kids get in safely,” he said.
Tensions boiled over with members from both sides of the camp turning on each other.
“You don’t understand the difference between drag and trans people,” a counter-protester yelled.
‘Let the children grow up in a safe environment, unlike what you want.’
Several men wearing ski masks were forced to walk away from the demonstration after giving in to pressure from counter-protesters.
Several cheered as children and parents were ushered safely through the library doors.
A parent who left the event spoke to Daily Mail Australia, describing the story time as “unbelievable”.
“It was a great family, very diverse and welcoming event,” he said. ‘It was joyful. We need more of this on the beaches.
‘My Shadow is Pink’ and ‘The Drag Queen’s Hips Go Swish-Swish-Swish’ were some of the stories read to the children.
Another local criticized the protesters who came out to condemn the event, describing them as ‘clashish’ and ‘annoying’.
Protesters formed minutes before drag queen Charisma Belle read stories to children inside the building.
“I think it’s important to recognize that local councils are serving their communities,” he said.
‘You don’t expect someone to be out there protesting how someone should raise their child.
It is completely up to the parents to decide how to do it. Seeing someone try to pay their bit, it’s not really welcome, it’s quite disappointing.’
One of the protesters said that he was opposed to the event because it went against his religious values.
They then went on a bizarre tirade saying it was a “rejection of God’s will.”
Manly Library had advertised the event in the lead up saying story time would be followed by arts and crafts.
“The Drag Queen Story Time will feature stories and songs that celebrate family, love and being yourself,” it read.
‘Storytime will be followed by a creative craft for attendees to keep.’
Counter-protesters issued an online warning that the event was being “targeted” and urged residents to come forward and express their support for the library.
“Community members are encouraged to form a friendly ‘welcoming committee’ outside the library, to allow attendees and their families to come and go safely,” it read.
The protest unfolded as Sydney prepared to host its first Mardi Gras in two years after the annual event was canceled due to the Covid pandemic.
Some 300,000 people are expected to attend the event on Oxford Street.
Counter-protesters turned out en masse to try to drown out the protesters by waving pride flags in front of signs protesting a drag queen’s reading of history.
More than 200 floats and 12,500 parade participants will dance along 1.7 kilometers of rainbow-lined streets in a celebration of queer identity, community and equality.
Transgender activist Kalypso Finbar said the parade’s return has come with a renewed sense of pride.
“It’s almost like a resurrection,” he said.
“There’s a different energy in the air this year because there’s more accessibility because of that Oxford Street factor.”
For Mardi Gras veterans like Dykes on Bikes president Emily Saunders, it feels like a homecoming.
“It’s our natural home, we ride motorcycles, for us being on the street is where we belong,” he said.
The 2023 celebration will also mark 45 years since Sydney’s first Mardi Gras parade.
Lance Dow, who was part of that first march in 1978, says he is “excited but strange” to still attend nearly five decades later.
“Being a ’78er, it’s amazing how far we’ve come since that night,” he said.