Sarah Dalton
Sun, 4 February 2024
Dozens of police officers separated the two protest groups outside the Wyvern Theatre (Image: Dave Cox)
A drag queen theatre show aimed at children sparked huge protests outside the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, as a far-right group Patriotic Alternative and LGBTQ+ supporters both took to the streets to share their opposing views.
The theatre show is aimed at parents and children and involves a storytelling drag performer reading exciting and imaginative storybooks to youngsters.
A planned protest against the show saw members of Patriotic Alternative gather outside the theatre doors to demand that the show be stopped as it was ‘inappropriate’ and ‘too sexualised’ for children.
"A drag queen by its very nature is a hyper-sexualised caricature of a woman which is not only insulting to women but isn't appropriate for children to be exposed to,” said protestor Aaron Spreadbury.
Aaron Spreadbury was protesting against the drag queen show. (Image: Newsquest)
The anti-drag queen protestors had already received heavy criticism after posting unsolicited leaflets stating 'Stop Drag Story Hour' and 'Protect Our Children' through letterboxes earlier in the week.
But the 20 or so protestors were vastly outnumbered by the mass of Swindon Pride and LGBTQ+ supporters who hosted their own counter-protest outside the theatre to ‘drown out the hate’.
Supporters of the drag queen show came out in force with loud music, bubbles, rainbow flags and chants to make it clear to Swindon that they were there loud and proud.
The two protest groups had to be separated by dozens of police officers who attended the scene.
At one point, officers yelled out to 'move back' as protestors pushed and shoved to clear a path for families getting into the theatre.
Dozens of officers were policing the event. (Image: Dave Cox)
"Swindon has shown its best front today with this turnout,” said Coral, a protestor who had come over from Oxford specifically to attend.
"I think it's an amazing representation for children to have,” added Hollie, who takes her child to Drag Queen Story Hour every year.
"If people are so bothered about people dressing up then where were they during the Christmas pantos when the theatre was full of pantomime dames?
Hollie attends the show with her child every year. (Image: Dave Cox)
"Dressing up and gender expression has been a part of the theatre since Shakespeare's times and LGBT people have always been represented in theatres.
"I went last year with my child and the books they read were about goats and dinosaur poo, it's hardly pushing an LGBT agenda is it?”
"Swindon is a very diverse community and it should stay that way. We need acceptance and understanding, not hate,” added counter protestor Rob Gray.
Police reveal 'brief intervention' after 'minor disorder' at Wyvern protest
Daniel Wood
Mon, 5 February 2024
Dozens of police officers separated the two protest groups outside the Wyvern Theatre (Image: Dave Cox)
Wiltshire Police has issued a statement after protests and counter-protests took place at a Drag Queen Story Hour show in Swindon.
The event took place on Sunday, February 4, and saw families bring their children to the Wyvern Theatre for an afternoon of story-based entertainment led by a drag queen.
But around them, a small group of members from far-right group Patriotic Alternative protested against the event while a much larger group, organised by Swindon and Wiltshire Pride, gathered to 'drown out the hate'.
Officers from Wiltshire Police were deployed to keep the two opposing groups separate, and the force released a statement afterwards to confirm that while mostly peaceful there was one small moment they had to interject.
It said: "Wiltshire Police officers took part in a pre-planned deployment outside the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon today (February 4) in anticipation of a demonstration and counter-protest.
"The theatre was the venue for a national touring event, the Drag Queen Story Hour."
Chief Inspector Al Lumley said: “I’m pleased to say that both groups engaged with officers well and overall the event passed without any issues. The vast majority of those taking part in the demonstrations did so peacefully.
“There was a minor disorder when some people from one of the groups tried to move towards another and officers briefly intervened to prevent a breach of the peace.
“This was an isolated incident in an otherwise peaceful demonstration by both groups and I’m pleased to say that there were no reported injuries or arrests at the scene.”
This is the second time the Wyvern has hosted a Drag Queen Story Hour event and the second time a protest and counter-protest has taken place, taking over Theatre Square.
A spokesperson for Swindon and Wiltshire Pride commented: "Today, Swindon & Wiltshire Pride hosted its second Drag Queen Story Hour with Aida H Dee. These events are organised to create a fun and engaging story hour, featuring children's stories that promote acceptance and kindness.
"Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, a far-right group of anti-drag queen protestors gathered outside the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, where the Drag Queen Story Hour was taking place.
"However, I'm proud to report that they were massively outnumbered by a group of 50+ counter-protesters who brought along music to drown out the hate. Their presence helped create a safe environment for families attending the event.
"Despite the challenges, the sold-out event went exceptionally well, and as organisers are eagerly looking forward to hosting another Drag Queen Story Hour."
They added that in 2024 it was "disheartening we still have to fight for acceptance and rights".
Daniel Wood
Mon, 5 February 2024
Dozens of police officers separated the two protest groups outside the Wyvern Theatre (Image: Dave Cox)
Wiltshire Police has issued a statement after protests and counter-protests took place at a Drag Queen Story Hour show in Swindon.
The event took place on Sunday, February 4, and saw families bring their children to the Wyvern Theatre for an afternoon of story-based entertainment led by a drag queen.
But around them, a small group of members from far-right group Patriotic Alternative protested against the event while a much larger group, organised by Swindon and Wiltshire Pride, gathered to 'drown out the hate'.
Officers from Wiltshire Police were deployed to keep the two opposing groups separate, and the force released a statement afterwards to confirm that while mostly peaceful there was one small moment they had to interject.
It said: "Wiltshire Police officers took part in a pre-planned deployment outside the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon today (February 4) in anticipation of a demonstration and counter-protest.
"The theatre was the venue for a national touring event, the Drag Queen Story Hour."
Chief Inspector Al Lumley said: “I’m pleased to say that both groups engaged with officers well and overall the event passed without any issues. The vast majority of those taking part in the demonstrations did so peacefully.
“There was a minor disorder when some people from one of the groups tried to move towards another and officers briefly intervened to prevent a breach of the peace.
“This was an isolated incident in an otherwise peaceful demonstration by both groups and I’m pleased to say that there were no reported injuries or arrests at the scene.”
This is the second time the Wyvern has hosted a Drag Queen Story Hour event and the second time a protest and counter-protest has taken place, taking over Theatre Square.
A spokesperson for Swindon and Wiltshire Pride commented: "Today, Swindon & Wiltshire Pride hosted its second Drag Queen Story Hour with Aida H Dee. These events are organised to create a fun and engaging story hour, featuring children's stories that promote acceptance and kindness.
"Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, a far-right group of anti-drag queen protestors gathered outside the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, where the Drag Queen Story Hour was taking place.
"However, I'm proud to report that they were massively outnumbered by a group of 50+ counter-protesters who brought along music to drown out the hate. Their presence helped create a safe environment for families attending the event.
"Despite the challenges, the sold-out event went exceptionally well, and as organisers are eagerly looking forward to hosting another Drag Queen Story Hour."
They added that in 2024 it was "disheartening we still have to fight for acceptance and rights".
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