‘Literally just art’: Dozens support Vancouver drag theatre camp, drown out protesters

The Carousel Theatre for Young People's four-day Summer Drag Camp aims to help interested youth express themselves through clothing, makeup and performance.

Dozens of people rallied on Granville Island on Tuesday to support a local theatre’s drag camp for kids, drowning out a small group of protesters who believe drag and children don’t mix.

The Carousel Theatre for Young People’s four-day Summer Drag Camp aims to help interested youth express themselves through clothing, makeup and performance, according to its website. It’s offered to youngsters between seven and 11 years old.

“I’m happy to be standing with so many other people in support of children, drag as an art form, theatre, and the LGBTQ community,” said Jozy Patterson, a supporter and member of the union that represents the theatre’s stage technicians.

“It’s literally just art like anything else is, like how comedians can do children’s characters in movies and then go do adult TV shows the next day.”

Tuesday’s rally was organized by the local chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees of the United States and Canada (IATSE). Julia Wiebe, a member of Local 118’s Pride committee, said the union wanted to bring “people power” to a “huge project” that’s being taken on by a smaller company.

“It’s our job to support artists and anybody who walks into the theatre, and we just want to continue supporting the community,” Wiebe said.

“We shouldn’t have to come out. It should be the most normal day ever.”

For the past few months, the Carousel Theatre for Young People’s staff have received threatening emails and phone calls related to the drag camp. In May, it even held two fundraising events to help pay for extra security during the program.