To be LIVID at the National Theatre?

[helpmeunderstand04]

I was at the National Theatre festival this Saturday which was advertised as outdoor live music, dance, performance, workshops and family fun. I thought great, perfect way to spend a Saturday.

We were there from 6:30 and the drag act on stage was promoting inclusivity and had, what started as a great message. They said...

'We need to teach our children to open their hearts, teach our children to open their minds and to teach our children to open their legs'. The last line was said with the same tone as if it was a risque joke.

Both me and DP are just disgusted by what we saw. We couldn't believe it. This act had a short dress on and their bulge was showing through out. It was just plain weird. Fine in a club, not at a festival literally targeted as being good for families.

From then the evening just got weirder. There was a drag queen and a drag king contest. Great! I literally had never seen drag king acts and was really excited and thought it was great representation and diversity.

However, with every single drag king act they took their clothes off. No drag queens take their clothes off, but the drag kings did and were showing their scars from their mastectomy/gender affirming surgery. I do get the message that they are proud and don't need to hide and really I do agree with that. But it just felt weird that women who now identify as men are still having to take their clothes off, where as the drag queens didn't remove one item of clothing.

AIBU in feeling angry at the marketing team at the national theatre?

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11027323/Drag-star-banned-National-Theatre-joking-children-taught-open-LEGS.html

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I noticed. I didn't challenge it because I thought there would be a how very dare you outburst, but I noticed it. I know all about PIE - I've done professional research on slippery people who sneak in under inclusivity banners. They are hiding in plain sight within the trans movement and it staggers me that more transwomen aren't joining forces with women to weed them out and defend genuine respectful safe spaces and boundaries for biological women, but instead close down any discussion with the slur 'transphobic.'

Interesting that the National Theatre - doubtless with an eye on their funding - said this wasn't in line with guidelines, but then to borrow an old phrase, they would say that wouldn't they?

It seems to me that the answer to "What do the performers get out of this?" is titillation; they might present things as a family event, but once the useful idiots have agreed to whatever-it-is, the boundary-pushers and their pervert fellow travellers seize their opportunity

Given the number of "Oooooo we didn't expect that" there have been, maybe it would be a good idea to check out performers' usual content and make choices based on this, rather than trust them to moderate their acts on any given day?

Ah the pie connection does seem rather a happy coincidence considering their views on this subject. Interesting.

I thought the same. But it is speculation.

Not all drag queen's think kids should watch drag or even watch drag queen story hour.

Drag queen's are performers looking for gigs at the end of the day. I think some are just seizing opportunities putting an 'inclusive' LGBT spin on it but have no clue on what is appropriate for children.

And then we get a load of militant defenders saying it's body shaming to call out a man in provocative skintight clothing with a bulge in close contact with children and defending any old crap the performer says.

Honestly, those people make me laugh. If I'm a prude, I'd rather be that any day than in your camp.

As soon as the open legs comment was made, why didn't you leave?

It sounds like a fairly flexible "come and go" type event, not "you're pinned in a seat".

So do you think that 'legs' comment is OK then? @zingally ?

Heh. Too true.

Honestly, those people make me laugh. If I'm a prude, I'd rather be that any day than in your camp

I think what people are forgetting is that adult sexual boundaries are different to those for their children.

In spite of what some posters are trying to insist, it’s not frothing or right-wing to keep adult sexual content away from children.

And “jokes” about sexually assaulting child re shouldn’t be funny for anyone.

Men should not be enjoying CSA jokes whether or not children are there. What kind of men do that?

The only occasion that men opening their legs is ever a topic is when talking about the slobs who occupy a seat and a half on the tube.

You should put in for the Commonwealth Games, long-jumping like that.

It’s funny, the things that became right wing when I wasn’t looking.
freedom of expression
safeguarding
being against anti sémitism
thinking that medical treatment should be evidence based
etc

Open your legs Is never used at men. It is an expression men use to women.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Really hope your ire isn't at those who think the joke is wrong!

Absolutely not. It was aimed at that one who thinks paedophilia is a laughing matter. Abhorrent.

It says "a month of family fun"

It is quite clear on the website what shows are aimed at families.
It is very common for a month-long festival to have entertainment aimed at different audiences.

And truthfully, if I was organising a Pride event I would now just refuse entry to any children at all. More straightforward even though it excludes lots of parents.

Are you wilfully missing the point? Jokes about paedophilia don't suddenly become OK if there are no children in earshot. They are not OK full stop.