Drag storytime performer answers questions raised in emails to government
CBC
Last spring, Tommy Des Rosiers was invited to read a book at Sainte-Bernadette School in Moncton, dressed as his drag persona Rose Beef.
He says that prompted a group of people on social media to post messages criticizing him and the event.
One voice message sent to Des Rosiers on Facebook called him a "pedophile."
"I'll tell you, man, go near my kids and I swear that's going to go badly for you guys," the sender said in French.
The same storytime event was at the centre of emails sent to the provincial government last spring, right before it officially began the review of Policy 713, the Education Department policy on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Emails claiming that drag performers are pedophiles and 2SLGBTQ-inclusive education is "indoctrination" went to Minister of Education Bill Hogan.
A CBC News investigation revealed the storytime event at Sainte-Bernadette was a focal point for several of the senders. Some struck an alarmed tone.
Others posed questions: Were parents notified? Why would an "adult nightclub performer" be allowed at school? Was there a criminal background check? Why hold these events?
Des Rosiers said there are answers to all these questions.
In character at the event, Des Rosiers wore a floor-length, full-sleeve, high-neck floral dress, sat in an office chair in a classroom surrounded by kids and a few school personnel, and read Je suis Marilou Melon.
The book is about a little girl who was embarrassed by her big teeth but learns to embrace them.
"She got bullied in school because of her big teeth. And she used her big teeth to make people laugh," Des Rosiers said.
The school chose the book and said it was about the universal experience of learning to embrace what sets you apart, De Rosiers said. He said there was no discussion of gender identity or 2SLGBTQ+ issues.
Gender identity and expression is taught from Grade 6 onward, according to the New Brunswick curriculum.
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