London: One arrested after protest erupted outside drag queen event

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Right wing protest against Drag Queen Story Hour outside Tate Britain Getty Images/Shutterstock

Distant protesters were toe-to-toe with LGBTQ+ people who showed up to support a drag queen reading event (Image: Getty Images/Shutterstock)

One person was arrested after a far-right group protested against a drag queen who read books about kindness and inclusion to children.

Members of Patriotic Alternative, a white nationalist group, are reportedly leading protests this morning outside a UK Drag Queen Story Hour event at London’s Tate Britain.

Drag Queen Story Hour programming in the UK sees drag performers read to children in libraries, festivals and schools.

But Patriotic Alternative says it has “passionately opposed the Drag Queen Story Hour since its arrival in the UK” and has protested “dozens” of story tellings, even to “shut down” some.

Protesters held signs that read “groomer” with an image of an LGBTQ+ Pride flag as well as “Leave our kids alone!” in front of a line of policemen. Some came wearing T-shirts that read: “Groom Dogs, Not Children.”

In response, hundreds of people came holding trans Pride flags and signs reading: “Don’t let the far right divide us” and “Shut up fascism and racism” as part of a pro-LGBTQ+ counter-protest.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Members of the right-wing group Patriotic Alternative surround and confront counter-protesters at Tate Britain on February 11, 2023 in London, England. Library readings have been controversial in the past, with disruptive protests leading to a number of canceled events across the country. Those against the Drag Queen Story Hour accuse those involved of sexualizing children. Many events have been held across the UK as part of LGBTQ History Month, which opened on 1 February. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images)

Patriotic Alternative has been following the events of Drag Queen Story Time UK for years (Image: Getty Images Europe)


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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthew Chattle/Shutterstock (13763153q) Anti-fascists and members of Stand up to Raciscm demonstrate against the Patriotic Alternative protest at Tate Britain, Drag Queen Story Hour UK in the gallery. Stand up to Raciscm demo against Patriotic Alternative protest at Tate Britain, Drag Queen Story Hour, London, UK. - February 11, 2023.

Countless counter-protesters showed up to support the reading event (Image: Matthew Chattle/Shutterstock)

Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of making a racially charged comment to a police officer (Image: PA)

“We protect our children through acceptance and education, not hate,” read another poster.

In a video, one of the counter-protesters shouts into a megaphone: “What are you afraid of? It’s just wigs and make-up.’

Award-winning author Aida H Dee, known as Sab Samuel, hosted three readings as part of Tate’s LGBTQ+ History Month events.

“Hear wonderful stories in a fascinating fairy tale from Aida, the first drag artist in Europe to read stories to children in a kindergarten,” read the event description, noting that the sessions were held at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. . and 2 p.m.

Dozens of parents and guardians and their children packed the gallery to hear Samuel read.

During the lunchtime event, five “haters” stormed the Tate, Samuel tweeted. “They caused a stir,” she said, “but not on (Drag Queen Story Hour UK). Whoop!

Aida H Dee, an award-winning author, says some 'haters' managed to storm the Tate in an attempt to disrupt the reading (Image: Drag Queen Story Time UK / Twitter)

Aida H Dee, an award-winning author, says some ‘haters’ managed to storm the Tate in an attempt to disrupt the reading (Image: Drag Queen Story Time UK / Twitter)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthew Chattle/Shutterstock (13763153c) Anti-fascists and members of Stand up to Raciscm demonstrate against the Patriotic Alternative protest at Tate Britain, Drag Queen Story Hour UK in the gallery. Stand up to Raciscm demo against Patriotic Alternative protest at Tate Britain, Drag Queen Story Hour, London, UK. - February 11, 2023.

LGBTQ+ supporters outnumbered right-wing protesters (Image: Matthew Chattle/Shutterstock)

“They were making a fuss elsewhere in the building, not where the show was! Show two went swimmingly!”.

Samuel said one of the right-wing protesters was arrested for “hate speech towards supporters”.

A Met spokesman told Metro.co.uk: “Officers are at the scene. There was one arrest on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

“This relates to comments made to a police officer.”

“Today went great with no interruptions in any performances!” Samuel told Metro.co.uk. “Over 200 people attended outside the Tate with the vast majority being supporters.”

A Tate spokesman said: “Police attended a disturbance outside Tate Britain this morning. The gallery remained open to visitors throughout the day and all events took place as planned.’

The counter-protest was organized by Transgender Action Block, a transgender liberation group, and Stand Up To Racism activists.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: An anti-drag queen protester (right) stands on the steps of Tate Britain on February 11, 2023 in London, England. Library readings have been controversial in the past, with disruptive protests leading to a number of canceled events across the country. Those against the Drag Queen Story Hour accuse those involved of sexualizing children. Many events have been held across the UK as part of LGBTQ History Month, which opened on 1 February. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images)

Patriotic Alternative came up with signs and T-shirts referring to LGBTQ+ people as ‘beautifiers’ (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Organizers said Patriotic Alternative members “left in fear” as they were “kicked out” less than an hour into the protests before returning.

Transgender Action Block previously urged supporters to come wearing face masks to conceal their identities.

“Trans protestors have been harassed, abused and attacked at previous events,” the group said on Instagram. “We can’t predict how many transphobic people will come to the event or how dangerous and violent they might be.”

Last year, Samuel took Drag Queen Story Hour UK on the road, touring nearly 70 libraries up and down the UK. At times, anti-LGBTQ+ protesters met him, barking profanities into loudspeakers and harassing families entering the grounds.

At a session in Reading in July, protestors claiming to protect children left children terrified as they chanted “playground protectors” and interrupted the reading by shouting and screaming.

“I think we all need to have a serious conversation with ourselves about why these protests are happening,” Samuel added.

Sab Samuel, 25, who founded Drag Queen Story Hour UK, received death threats from trolls

Sab Samuel has been called a “pedophile” and a “groomer” by right-wing protesters in the past (Image: Sab Samuel)

“The current government must respond. Five years we have been waiting for a real ban on LGBTQ + conversion therapy.

“The current government must either step up or resign. We need a government that will commit to serious LGBTQ+ education and inclusion in schools.

“This is the only way to eradicate this kind of hatred. The current administration’s track record on any LGBTQ policy is a joke.

“They are woefully underqualified to run a country.”

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