Libraries in Canada hit by wave of hate, threats, as right-wing groups protest all-age drag events

Family-friendly drag events across Canada, many hosted by municipal libraries, have been targeted by a deluge of hateful comments and threats during Pride month, prompting multiple police investigations and renewed concerns about the safety of the LGBTQ community.

More than half a dozen libraries and drag performers, from Saint John to Victoria, reported being inundated online and over the phone by homophobic slurs and, in some cases, threats of violence.

Drag Story Hour events are popular at many libraries in the country, and usually feature a performer in drag reading children's books about inclusion. They are often held in collaboration with local LGBTQ associations and have caused only minor controversy in the past. 

But amid a surge in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and polices in the U.S., and a conservative movement in Canada increasingly influenced by right-wing politics south of the border, the all-ages drag events have turned into flashpoints of anger.

The City of Dorval, a Montreal suburb, received a wave of complaints in early June as soon as it announced its library was hosting a story hour with well-known local performer Barbada.

"We received hate mail. We received threats. You name it — we received it," said Sébastien Gauthier, a spokesperson for the city.

In the comments, library staff were, among other things, accused of assisting pedophiles and threatened with lawsuits. Their personal information was also circulated online.

"We also received more worrisome threats for the activity per se, people threatening to come by and do this and that during the event," Gauthier said.

Montreal police patrolled the June 11 event, which was without incident, and have opened an investigation into the threats. 

"I've worked for the city for almost 20 years. I've never seen anything like this," Gauthier said. 

An all-ages drag show in Victoria was cancelled mid-June after the cafe that was scheduled to host received a slew of threatening phone calls.

"Our show has been running for the last three years with absolutely zero complaints or concern from anyone in the community," said a spokesperson for For the Love of Drag, the group that was slated to perform.

The spokesperson asked CBC News to withhold their name because of ongoing safety concerns.

"It's frightening to be reminded that there are people out there that wish you didn't exist, that wish they could harm you — especially during Pride month," the spokesperson said in an email exchange.