Leeds Libraries Drag Story Hour (again)

And panto is on stage - kids know it’s all make believe and fantasy. Now they are being told it’s up close and real.

I agree too. I think it's ludicrous that in the twenty first century you can still take the piss out of women this way but woe betide anyone who fucking "misgenders" someone.

It's like we've all dropped some shit acid.

I don't like panto either. Grew up in the 70s/80s and men dressing up as women for laughs was everywhere. I always felt uncomfy with it even when I was a kid.

I just can't get on board with men dressing up as caricatures of women whatever it's called.

I really don't see the harm.
I'd happily take my child to one of these, no different to panto dressing up really.
Are we supposed to get our knickers in a twist about the ugly sisters as well now?

Hi Ktp100. Panto and drag both involve men dressing as women, but that doesn't mean they are the same thing. Drag is conceived as adult entertainment, and - unlike panto - relies heavily on sexual innuendo and erotic suggestion. Unlike panto, it's sexualised entertainment aimed at adults. That's why some of us are raising questions. Why introduce pre-pubescent children to age-inappropriate sexual content? And what is the motivation of adult performers seeking to insert themselves into a space for children as opposed to the sexually-aware adult audience they usually perform for?

These have been on Aida H Dee’s adult site which is restricted to over 14 year olds

Adult site, for 14 year olds. Thats quite concerning in itself to me tbh. 14 is not an adult.

Id like to see what form that took.

Is - it - safe...?
Yes yes YEEESSSSSS

a full risk assessment has been undertaken

Is this available to see?

Has a FOI been done for the complaints received. In those emails there was both the implication that there would be negative comments, but also that none had been received, which is untrue.

A background check is absolutely appropriate in this instance - assuming they don’t have a DRB (would they even need if interacting online?).

Social media is just that - social. Don’t want it ‘out there?’ don’t put it ‘out there’.

it is not appropriate for the council to check a person’s social media accounts or ask them questions about their private life, as to do so might well be a disproportionate interference with the person’s right to private and family life under the Human Rights Act.

Wtf

As that posted it occurred to me to wonder what the rules on buying services are in the public sector? At what point does it have to go out to tender? Is that expenditure based or type of service?

I don't work in the public sector so I don't know.

Interesting deletion my post at the top of page 2 was answering someone who was querying what the library and performer got out of the arrangement and commenting that there seemed to be an £80 fee involved when initially it was free and that the email in the FOI showed how persistent they were.

I don't recall anything untoward about their post but because it was deleted my post was also deleted.

Are we not allowed to identify that the person promoting DQST is clearly running this to make money?

That they are using sales techniques to hook libraries in offering a free performance which is actually pre recorded and can then be used by multiple libraries. That once they have some libraries in agreement it is easier to promote to others by saying these other libraries have signed up.

Is there any reason why we can't discuss this? It's just recognising that DQST isn't altruistic for LGBT people it's a business opportunity. They are selling a service using a freebie as a hook.

growinggreyer. She is in customer relations and directorate improver manager. Interesting to see that she has consulted with the legal dept among others. Leeds has been totally taken over by training from Stonewall it appears. Funny how when WPUK were cancelled discrimination against a protected group was not considered despite this being such a big part of their line. As far as I know drag queens are not a protected characteristic...

I know female firefighters who go into schools to engage with for us and young women - not only to join the service but to demonstrate how women can follow their own dreams. The do it as a service they set up themselves, and not a business.

Surely they are an example of brilliant women role models to get in to read stories to little kids - some are mums, some aren’t, and they do engage with kids all the time (lots of station drop ins). Plus they have cool kit.

So a massive failure in safeguarding is now being used as a defence?

Incidentally, who wrote this letter, Angryresister? They seem to put a lot of weight on their own judgement. I would be interested to know what level they are within the council and what safeguarding qualifications they hold.

We've said this before, but there are two questions you can ask Leeds to put to the drag queen: 1. Would you be prepared to read stories to children in your ordinary clothing, not drag? 2. Would you be prepared to read stories to the residents of old people's homes?

apparently used the love has no age slogan
but were challenged.

What was Asda doing?

why did Asda remove their strapline i wonder ? !

Because under 14 year olds would never ever try to access anything it age appropriate?

These have been on Aida H Dee’s adult site which is restricted to over 14 year olds

Oh, that's OK then.

What on earth is wrong with these people?

Are they seriously using the term 'minors attracted people' rather than paedophille? Is that part of Leeds diversity now?