Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 15 Apr 2019
DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN County Council has said it made the decision to cancel a drag storytelling event at a library due to degrading comments made online about the performers and staff.
The family event was being organised by drag collective Glitter Hole, which has run Drag Story Time events for children three times previously at various locations, including at the International Literary Festival Dublin last summer.
The group said the response to these events has “always been entirely positive”.
This morning Glitter Hole criticised the council’s initial statement about the cancellation of the event, accusing the council of labeling “the queer people the risk in this scenario”.
The group said the reason for the cancellation was health and safety after a barrage of hateful comments directed at it over the weekend, but the council’s statement last night made no reference to this. Instead, it cited a review of the age appropriateness of the event as the reason.
However in a new statement following queries from TheJournal.ie, the council said it wanted to clarify that the cancellation was “due to our significant concern at the high level of degrading, inappropriate comments on social media about the performers and library staff”.
‘Violent homophobia’
Glitter Hole said it was contacted by the council last month and asked to put on one of its drag storytelling performances on 26 June for this year’s Pride festival. It was due to take place at Deansgrange Library.
It said over the past weekend it had been “inundated with extremely violent homophobia from a frighteningly large group of bigots who believe that a few drag queens reading books to children amounts to child abuse”.
The library decided that the event was a safety risk, which we accepted given the scale and gravity of the vitriol that was being spewed on twitter. However, the statement issued by DLR last night cites ‘age appropriateness’ as their reason for cancellation.
The council’s first statement had said: “This event was programmed as an age appropriate, family-friendly story time session. However, following a review in terms of age appropriateness, this event will not now go ahead at this time, and may be rescheduled as part of a future Book Festival lineup.”
Glitter Hole said the implication of this statement was that the content of its drag shows for adults had deemed its performers inappropriate children’s storytellers.
“There is no mention in this statement of the safety concerns for the performers or audience of the event due to the ongoing abuse we’re receiving online,” the group’s statement said this morning.
“The irony is that we were booked for Pride and yet DLR have responded to the hate speech we have received by deciding we are not age appropriate performers.”
In its new statement this afternoon, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said health and safety is at the forefront of its concerns.
“We would like to reassure the public that this event is age-appropriate and family-friendly.”
The council said its libraries “object to homophobia in all its forms” and that it reserves the right to remove content or comments on its social media platforms that “may be considered offensive, abusive or defamatory”.
“DLR Libraries remains safe, inclusive and welcoming places for all and offer a diverse, cultural programme.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Nothing against them, more power to them and all that jazz but, Glitter Hole? Seriously?
@Football in the Groin: you’re putting the inference on those words. Kids wouldn’t.
@Football in the Groin: what’s the problem?
@Football in the Groin: I thought the same when I read your name ;)
@Football in the Groin: how many of your accounts will you use on this article?
@Abbie Cranky: I think it’s their logo that puts the inference on those words.
@Abbie Cranky: Take a look at Glitter Hole’s logo here and get back to me on that one: https://m.facebook.com/glitterholedublin/
@PedroB: yeah because that’s exactly what they wanted to do in the library.
@Abbie Cranky: what is the inference on those words? and what is the answer if a child just one asks?
@Dave O’Keeffe: You’re clearly missing the point – nobody in their right mind would think that’s what they wanted to do.
Let’s put it another way – if that sort of video was posted publically by a children’s tv presenter, how long do you think they would be in a job?
I’m all for sexual freedom but you have to draw lines where appropriate.
@PedroB: except it’s posted somewhere that children shouldn’t be.
@Abbie Cranky: just to clarify the name , glitter hole was apparently named after a certain glam rock artist. Do you find that appropriate to be reading to children?
@PedroB: have you heard about tailoring your content to suit your audience?
Case in point the cross dressing comedian Julian Clary, his material when he performed for children in pantos vs his standup are as different as night and day and both were televised
@Dave O’Keeffe: I’m not really sure what you mean by that so I’ll just close with this:
It seems clear that the group “Glitter Hole” was originally set up with adults as their target audience. As credible as it is to want to work with children, the appropriate thing would have been to set up a new group that is completely separated from the rest of their adult content.
That’s not bigotry, it’s common sense.
@Dave O’Keeffe: Don’t be so naive, kids will always find a way. And if you tell them not to they only become more determined. I can’t believe you would find this act age appropriate for children.
@Darren Tully: See my point above.
@Football in the Groin: exactly
@Football in the Groin: so kids are going on Facebook behind their parents backs and looking up glitter hole? And that’s glitter hole’s fault?
@Abbie Cranky: you do know kids right? Is it really a appropriate name for a person working with children
@PedroB: Ok,Ok,, you just hold on there a minute Pedro,, who the hell do you think you are coming on here and talking sense??? The nerve of ye….:)
@Abbie Cranky: thier logo is an arse?
@Devilsavocado: Vote for Pedro! ;)
@Abbie Cranky: Perhaps their logo offers a clue,
Glitter hole says it all
@Dave O’Keeffe: This is a discussion thread on a headline of the day.. if you feel the need to attack everyone who expresses an opinion which may differ I am at a loss. However for what its worth I don’t think kids should be exposed to very much ‘agenda based material’ until they are ready. But I most certainly don’t think this group are suitable for children’s ‘entertainment’. If any child who can click a mouse does a backstory on this troupe it suddenly takes them to a place which they may not be ready for.
@Emmet Doyle: well said. But apparently that makes us bigots and homophobic.
@Emmet Doyle: is it not the responsibility of the parents of children who are not old enough for the group’s mature content to supervise their children’s Internet usage? They can just as easily do an unsupervised search for the word boob and go down the rabbit hole via another route.
@Emmet Doyle: Exactly.
@Emmet Doyle: is it the troupes fault if children young enough for story time are on the internet unsupervised? I apologise for my comment, it was inappropriate and uncalled for.
@Darren Tully: please see above.. I cant be answering the same question after each comment. I try to supervise my children as best I can but I don’t expect them to run down rabbit hole’s at the public expense in a public library… They are adult entertainers they have no business crossing into the realm of kids entertainment in fact it would not be allowed for anybody in any other pursuit so same rule applies.
@Emmet Doyle: David Walliams writes kids books.
@Dave O’Keeffe: Why take risks with children? There are a million story tellers out there why use one with a risqué profile. This is agenda pushing and you know it.
@Dave O’Keeffe: Your point?
@Emmet Doyle: https://images.app.goo.gl/ssWvFBowtDtAiD24A
@Emmet Doyle: David Walliams is an adult entertainer.
@Emmet Doyle: Well you maybe you should stop going on about how kids can find their mature material on the Internet in nearly every reply you make
@Dave O’Keeffe: so ,that makes it safe for children we had a English lad that was great with children or was he
@FlopFlipU: if that’s a Savile reference then it returns out you’re the sick one.
@Dave O’Keeffe: but he uses the name David walliams not glitterhole
I think you’re missing the whole point. And judging by the thumbs you are months wrong side of public opinion
I’d have no problem if the used a different name
So the Journal posts an article when the council are criticised for postponing this event, but doesn’t post an article when the council were criticised for hosting the event in the first place.
Activism, masquerading as journalism.
So funny how drag is ok (for hundreds of years) when it’s in a pantomime…. but somehow it’s not ok when it’s reading a story …?
Bigots be bigotting I guess.
@Abbie Cranky: If keeping this away from children makes me a Bigot then I wear it as a badge of honour.
@Sean Murphy: yeah, that’s totally what they had planned for the public library.
@Dave O’Keeffe: Kids don’t do a little research into things they see or do? Why take the chance?
@Emmet Doyle: do parents not have a responsibility supervise their children’s and Internet research, or is it up to everyone else to do the parenting for them?
@Abbie Cranky: I care about what my children are exposed to.
If this makes me a bigot, I’ll gladly take it.
@Darren Tully: I think you’ll find that it’s because parents did research on this group that the gig has been canceled.
@Darren Tully: I am not sure what you are saying here? As a parent I don’t want the public purse pushing ANY agenda’s to my children. This is a form of content supervision. I however am not naïve enough to think children cant click a mouse (or access without my knowledge content and see the back story on things they see or hear. You assume all children are toddlers? Come on keep up man. If someone doesn’t want their kids read a story by Glitter Hole then grow up and move on. This troupe are free to offer this entertainment/service/act at a private venue in fact they can knock themselves out doing so.
@PedroB: I think you will see from the article it was due to homophobic threats of violence that caused it to be cancelled. You dont have to make up an alternative reason
@Emmet Doyle: I await your opposition to Christmas lights being funded by the public purse.
@Emmet Doyle: oh so it’s not the adult themes you’re against it’s the homosexuality and transsexualism, you have a problem with thanks fir clarifying that.
You do realise know you could just choose not bring your kids to the show you don’t aprove of, and let parents who have no problem with it choose to bring their kids there. You’re extremely niaeve if you think banning everything you don’t like will stop your children from finding out about it.
@Sean Murphy: Thanks for the link …I was thinking that this was biggotry but after seeing the “glitter hole” Facebook page I agree this is absolutely inappropriate for children.
@Dave O’Keeffe: how about we call them “holiday” lights instead , do you think that would that appease the offended??
@Abbie Cranky: My original comment, which was the first response to this thread and had nothing inappropriate within, has been removed. @TheJournal, really? When did we start censoring logical responses?
@Abbie Cranky: the words “bigot & racist” have lost all meaning thanks to people like you who use it as a cudgel to shut down debate.
@Devilsavocado: you’ll have to ask Emmet. I’m not sure if having multiple ideologies pushed using the lights instead of just one would be an improvement for him or not
The council were also critized for attempting to host this drag event. Tell the story right, otherwise you are fake news.
@Derek Goulding: that’s mentioned in the article.
@Dave O’Keeffe: they changed the headline
@Derek Goulding: I didn’t mention the headline. It was always in the article that there was opposition to the event.
@Derek Goulding: you didn’t mention the headline either. I’m guessing you commented without reading the article
Sensible decision to cancel. Completely inappropriate for children.
If it teaches children tolerance then their job is done. We’re all different but the same.
@Paula Mackie Senior: This.
Personally, I have very little time for drag acts, outside of say, pantos, Hairspray, or whatever.. You would generally have to pay me a hefty fee to sit through a show, like.. but it’d be the same if you wanted me to sit through most sports. I have little time and zero interest when it comes to most sports.
However.. as long as what is being done is legal, and no one is being harmed, I don’t care what people do.
@Paula Mackie Senior: The role of schools are to teach kids about maths, science, english etc. Not tolerance for progressive ideology.
@Sean Murphy: when did schools come into this?
@Sean Murphy: so why do the majority have mandatory religious catechism shoving regressive ideology down kids throats?
The follow up statement is obviously a bid to deflect blame.
They done the right thing in cancelling this event. No need for them to shift the blame to abusive online comments.
@Mr. Grumble: Honest question – which part of the content of the show was objectionable? All I saw on twitter was people seemingly with a problem with drag artists reading to kids, and linking to a story about a completely different drag act in the US being outed as a sex offender.
Brain washing kids to think this kind of thing is ok. It’s not normal. Leave the kids alone FFS.
@Bren Guiden: seriously? What’s wrong with it?
@Bren Guiden: Brendan O’ Carroll is not normal in your book? He plays a woman in a dramatised performance, no? Millions seem to love him. Clearly your definition of normal is, eh, not normal.
I think the name is the problem. Seriously, do they think it’s funny? I wouldn’t have brought my kids to a show like this. You need Garda vetting to work with children. Have these guys got such vetting ?
@Virgil: I hope not
We’re here! We’re qu.. oh wait, they’re gone
Glitterholes logo is an arse. And their shows are them dancing around in fishnets. Grand if you’re an adult but leave the kids to being kids.
@Doubtchya Boy!: there shows are also in bars, does that mean they’re going to turn the library into a bar? No. They were asked to read to children and people got mad so now they won’t be reading to children. It’s the children that lose out.
Wait til they find out about the kind of stuff kids are exposed to at Christmas pantos.
@Dr. X (Official Continuity Faction): oh no they won’t!
@Keelan O’neill: — He’s behind you.
Have a look at their website and then disagree that they are suitable to be entertaining v young kids
I was only ever subjected to Widow Twankey, and as a result I’ve never been confused.
The responses here are so shameful. If you don’t think it’s your cup of tea, don’t go. I wonder would you be kicking up the same if it were Brendan O’Carroll dressed in full costume reading a CHILDREN’S BOOK to children’s whose parents made a decision to bring them?
@K: I would not go to one of his shows myself never mind let the kids go,
This would not have been age appropriate. Are children not allowed to be children now. Who decides it’s ok to sexualise young children
I see people pointing to the content of some of this groups’ other comedy shows aimed at adults – but if a performing group is to be disqualified from performing an (apparently) age-appropriate show for children because of the content of OTHER shows they do aimed at adults, then I’ve got a feeling you’re going to have to vet and protest many other arts and performing groups. Similarly – I guess a drag performance group solely do age-appropriate performances for kids, and no shows for adults, would be totally OK? Something tells me not-so for many of the people threatening the library.
@gofreak: Their brand is adult humour. Its not appropriate for children. Would a group of heterosexual porn stars be an appropriate group?
@CrabaRev: I wasn’t aware they’re porn stars? I can agree with what people said about their logo, but I haven’t seen evidence that they even use that logo in the show we’re talking about.
Where’s the line on this? Would someone have a problem with David Walliams doing a kids reading? His brand was adult humour, before it wasn’t. Or Graham Norton, for that matter?
I’ve seen no evidence of any inappropriate content in the show itself. I have, however, seen a huge amount of vitriolic homophobia directed at them online, accusations that they’re child molestors, pedophiles, predators, the works. So I’m inclined at the moment to think the motivation here is coming from one angle more than the other.
@gofreak: They are both groups of adult entertainers, hence the comparison. Would it be appropriate if Pornhub organised this? No.
David Walliams is not an adult entertainer by any stretch of the imagination. He is a character actor/comedian There is no comparison.
@CrabaRev: From what I’ve seen people link to, I do not see pornography. If you can show otherwise I’ll yield to that. But there is a big gap between risqué adult comedy, fringe festival style alternative comedy that I’m seeing people link to, and explicit material or pornography.
Walliams was primarily a comedian for adults, and certainly skirted into risqué material and themes in some of his work. He previously had controversies about events he mc-ed in terms of stuff going on at those events. Then he leaned into kids books. In TV adaptations of his kids works and events for kids I’ve seen him in drag. But no big kerfuffle. I’m sure he wouldn’t want some of the stuff from his past work being aired at any of these events, but of course it doesn’t happen, because everyone has the good sense to separate the two.
The name of this group is unfortunate, granted, but it doesn’t justify the abuse and allegations being thrown at them. Plain old bigotry, on other hand, can easily explain that part of the reaction.
@gofreak: I never said they were pornographic. They are adult entertainers. in the same way as porn stars are adult entertainers. They are equivalent, but not the same.
Again there is no comparison with David Walliams. If you cannot see that then you are either being deliberately obtuse or are genuinely a bit slow. Either way there is no point in further discussion
It appears you cannot understand simple English so there is not much point discussing this with you.
@CrabaRev: you’ve just stated that there’s no comparison but given absolutely no justification for that while trying to shut down the legitimate point.
@CrabaRev: I understand your comments perfectly. Why cite pornography and porn as analogous if you didn’t want people to think you were drawing an equivalence? That’s how english works.
If the standard we’re setting is that anyone involved in or linked to people involved in ‘entertainment for adults’, that may include risqué or sexualised themes have in comedy or whatever, then that’s fine. I just hope we are not applying a double standard.
This event was to be part of gay pride. Loads of public events will take place. Homophobic threats should not be allowed to dictate agenda.
@June Kennedy: there was very few homophobic comments, from people like myself and my wife we found this to be totally inappropriate for under 7s. A quick google search of glitterhole leads to a guy sucking a sex toy on a drill. Sorry my 4 yo does not need to see that. It’s all about age appropriate and they are not.
Why go for sensationalism to get headlines. Ordinaryness not the way here.
In fairness it’s obvious that glitter hole refers to glittering or glamming up, probably, a man’s anus for whatever aesthetic or erotic reason. They should rebrand if they’re pitching their show to kids. End of. Next.
@the-baldie-lad: I genuinely didn’t think it was about putting glitter on you hole. Perhaps you’re being too literal?
@Dave O’Keeffe: totally is. Consider glitter lip balm. Now you’re talking.
I don’t want glitter in me hole!
Yup great response to give the trolls exactly what they wanted by canceling the event, pathetic council bureaucrats
Those whom the Gods wish to destroy, They first make mad.
Some might fear this is brain washing and in the UK there is a backlash from Muslims on schools doing this. I think that it is wrong to expose children to this until they are older as it just might confuse them more than it might help. Teenage years is early enough to do this at in my view.
@TamuMassif2019: agree. There’s enough sexualised bombardment out there. Give the kids a bit of peace.
@the-baldie-lad: I think children need to have fun, all this so called education I think just adds stress to them and forced them to adopt labels they really don’t know the meaning off that might confuse them later in life?
I was saddened when I went to a Drag Race in the States. I thought it was gonna be people dressing up and tripping up in high heels. On the flip side DLR thought it was gonna be characters from the movie Cars (Lightning McQueen, Not Chuck, Chick Hicks and Fillmore) reading stories
Parents tell children nighttime stories, why does telling any stories, have anything to do with being gay.
@Dathi O Nualláin: It has nothing to do with being gay. People lost their sh-t because the group doing this show has done performances for adults elsewhere in completely different contexts. No doubt they’ll be vetting every performer from now on, to ensure they’ve never done non-PG performance work before. No doubt the BBC will have to cancel any actors coming onto CBeebies storytime, if they’ve ever done movies for adults. No doubt the feedback this library got has nothing to do with the performers being gay/drag performers /s
@gofreak: my thinking is that no matter what a person who dresses up with the intention of subliminally impressing their own sexuality on to children is very underhanded. Parents have their families to raise as they wish without the need for unnecessary external influences.
@Dathi O Nualláin: “subliminally impressing their own sexuality on to children is very underhanded” < where is that coming from?
And indeed it's up to parents what they're kids consume. Parents won't have the opportunity to make that choice here.
@gofreak: https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.org/ this will tell you what the overarching ideology and thought behind this is.. ‘drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real.’ so the poster is correct impressing an ideology an toddlers and young kids through story telling is very underhanded indeed.
@Emmet Doyle: he said sexuality, not ideology. Story telling always communicates a message – if you want to call that ‘ideology’ – that’s hardly a eureka moment. God forbid parents bring their kids to hear a story where the moral is one of understanding difference.
Dear Journal Writers & Editorial Team,
Do you even pretend to write strong, unbiased news stories anymore? I’m actually fairly left of centre but this is just dross, Sincerely Yours, Uninstalling the App because you’re total shite.
Nobody is forcing parents to bring their kids to this. If you don’t approve that’s your business, but you should also mind your own business. They’re going to read childrens stories, that’s all.
Delighted
have your say