Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body Buy Now
Reebok Princess Sneakers Buy Now
Legendary Flannel Buy Now
Small Crossbody Shoulder Bag for Women Buy Now
London Fog Men's Auburn Golf Jacket Buy Now
Business Casual Men Blazer Buy Now
KODAK PIXPRO AZ255-BK 16MP Vlogging Camera Buy Now
OLEVS Mens Leather Watches Buy Now
BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Deep Hydrating Mask Buy Now
Y2K Crop Tops Buy Now
10" Android Tablet Buy Now
OLCHEE Women’s Workout Sets 2 Piece Buy Now
Google Pixel 6a Android Phone Buy Now
Womens V Neck Tshirt Summer Floral Tops Buy Now
Sunzel Flare Leggings Buy Now
Fabric Resistance Bands for Working Out Buy Now
Gold Bracelets for Women Buy Now
STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC Buy Now
Thigh Trimmers: Fat Reduction & Cellulite Buy Now
Hanes Pocket Undershirt 6-Pack Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Drag storytime performer answers questions raised in emails to government

Drag storytime performer answers questions raised in emails to government

CBC
Thursday, July 25, 2024 1:38 PM GMT

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.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Remembering iconic Montreal jazz drummer, bebop master Norman Marshall Villeneuve

Norman Marshall Villeneuve, iconic drummer of the Canadian jazz scene known for his musicality, mentorship and spirited passion, has died. He was 87 years old. 

Winnipeg Folk Fest thrives amid cruel summer for Canadian multi-artist events

Nineteen years ago, Gary Conway bought a ticket to the Winnipeg Folk Festival to hear singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn.

Edmonton a step closer to tap credit, debit payments to ride transit

The City of Edmonton is launching a trial period to expand its transit payment system to include direct credit and debit card transactions.

No, David Suzuki hasn't given up on the climate fight — but his battle plan is changing

Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki made headlines last week when he said in an interview with iPolitics that humanity has lost its fight against climate change.

As former Olympian-turned-councillor faces domestic assault charge, women-led advocacy group is silenced

A firestorm of controversy has been brewing in Niagara Falls, Ont., in the weeks since a former Olympian-turned-councillor was charged with domestic assault.

Loved ones grieving 'gentle and kind' man after he dies at the Windsor jail

The 32-year-old man who died at the Windsor jail last month is being remembered as a great man who always wanted to help those who needed it. 

Thunder Bay, Ont., family who took fight for girl's autism funding to court to learn if it was worth it

In one week, Patrick Cully will find out whether his five-year-old daughter Scarlet will be able to continue the life-changing therapy she's relied on for more than a year — or if long waitlists and a lack of funding will halt her progress.

'Morale has hit an all-time low': Conestoga College union speaks out on layoffs

As Conestoga College faces layoffs and program suspensions, the union leaders representing its employees say the toll on the workers is mounting.

Summerside's downtown revitalization effort has businesses feeling some hope

Hoping to drive more people downtown and breathe more life into the area, the City of Summerside is now going over a number of recommendations on how to revitalize its downtown and waterfront. 

'A betrayal': Yukon First Nations call on government to repeal mining amendments

Yukon First Nations are calling on the territorial government to repeal amendments it made in May to mining regulations.

Shock in tiny Quadeville after teen accused of attempting to murder girl

Wanda Resmer says she didn't see the news coming. 

Metrolinx owes railpath residents transparency, say city councillor and advocate

Residents along the Toronto West Railpath are frustrated with what they say is a lack of transparency from Metrolinx on end dates for nearby construction projects, their city councillor says.

Who are the people accused of defrauding London Health Science Centre out of millions

As officials try to make sense of an alleged multi-year fraud engineered so several people could personally profit from money meant to be spent on keeping London's hospitals running, CBC News dug into the people accused in the scheme. 

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
City councillors exploring micro-shelters as homelessness crisis in Toronto soars

With Toronto's homeless population doubling in the last three years and shelters overflowing, city councillors have voted to explore whether Toronto could operate micro shelters in underutilized Toronto Transit Commission parking lots.

2 teen girls charged in Oshawa swarming attack, police say hate not believed to be factor

Two girls have been arrested in a swarming attack on a Muslim woman in Oshawa, Ont., and police say there is no evidence so far to indicate hate was a factor.

New charge laid against Matthew Craswell over 2023 incident at West Kent Elementary

WARNING: This story contains disturbing descriptions of child sex abuse. Resources and supports for anyone who has experienced sexual violence can be found at the bottom of this story.

Associate of Montreal billionaire arrested and charged with multiple sex crimes

Montreal police have arrested a man who allegedly assisted billionaire Robert Miller by organizing a network to sexually exploit young women and girls. 

Toronto police homicide unit investigating body discovered near Hwy. 401 in Pickering

Toronto police are investigating a homicide in the area of Highway 401 and Whites Road in Pickering.

Richmond Row employee fighting for life in hospital after stabbing

Police have arrested a London man following a stabbing that left a downtown employee in critical condition.

Woman, 82, and man, 77, dead after collision in Uxbridge: police

A woman, 82, and a man, 77, have died after a collision in Uxbridge on Thursday, police say. 

Calgary firearms business 'very frustrated' as RCMP classifies rifle prohibited

A Calgary-based firearms company says one of its rifles being classified as prohibited by the RCMP has thrown his business into "crisis mode."

Chaotic 2021 N.L. election saw votes cast using sticky notes, people sending selfies to get ballots

Votes were cast using sticky notes, people tried registering for ballot kits using selfies as ID and more than 500,000 envelopes had to be ordered at the 11th hour as officials in Newfoundland and Labrador scrambled to switch to a provincewide mail-in election following a COVID-19 outbreak in 2021.

'I decided to live my life': Man with epilepsy walking from Montreal to B.C. to raise awareness

A man from Montreal is walking across Canada with a cart, a bike and his service dog, Timber and he's expected to pass through Sudbury, Ont., sometime next week. 

Halifax stadium debate raises questions about use of public space, taxpayer spending

On days the Halifax Wanderers play at home, Keara Turner can be found in the stands with an enthusiastic group of fans known as Privateers 1882.

Historic Miramichi homestead closed after province cuts funding

As the sun beats down on a hot July day, a cool breeze drifts off the mighty Miramichi River flowing past the fields of the MacDonald Farm.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us