Tasmania's education minister is resisting calls to cancel a book reading by a drag queen at a state-run library, even as the state's deputy premier declared he "wouldn't be taking my children".
The Launceston Library is hosting Drag Storytime next Wednesday in celebration of TasPRIDE and World Pride 2023.
The event, aimed at two- to five-year-olds, is free and has already sold out.
It has been promoted as a chance for toddlers to "frock up, dress up and throw on a tiara" while Tasmanian drag performer Pussay Poppins "takes us on adventures in Frockodile and Whitney & Britney Chicken Divas".
At a media conference on Monday, Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson was asked if he supported the library hosting the event.
"I think a lot of people would express concern and it's important that parental choice be the determining factor here, but I wouldn't be taking my children," the conservative Liberal said.
Drag story time events have been held at libraries across Australia, but this is the first time the Launceston Library has hosted one.
All libraries across Tasmania are run and funded by the Tasmanian government.
'Not suitable for children'
In a post on the Australian Christian Lobby's Facebook page, Tasmanian director Christopher Brohier said drag shows are "not what Tasmanian parents expect their government to promote as toddlers' entertainment".
"A brief perusal of Pussay Poppins' website reveals the sexualised nature of this drag queen's adult entertainment repertoire," Mr Brohier said.
"Drag has long been understood to be adult entertainment. But adult entertainment is not suitable for children."
He called on Tasmania's Education Minister Roger Jaensch to intervene and "stop Tasmanian toddlers being introduced to drag culture".
On Tuesday, Mr Jaensch said did not "intend to intervene".
"That's an event that has been organised by Libraries Tasmania, they plan and run hundreds of events across our libraries every year, a lot of them in line with special themed weeks, like TasPride week, seniors week, 26Ten literacy week.
"I'm advised that it's a ticketed event. Parents need to decide if their kids attend that.
"I'm not going to step in and make that decision for everybody."
Just 'someone in a costume'
The Launceston Library would not comment on the debate, but have previously acknowledged on social media the event may not appeal to everyone.
"Drag storytimes are held in libraries around Australia and the world to promote diversity," Launceston Library said last week.
"If you prefer other ways of expressing diversity to your children, this event will be fun, friendly and inclusive, but it may not be for you."
TasPride spokesperson Vincent Bound said he was "unfortunately" not surprised by the calls for the event to be cancelled.
"It is upsetting to see these sorts of comments coming through for events that are meant to be a safe space for the community, for families who might have LGBTQI children to go along to," Mr Bound said.
"At the end of the day, it's someone in a costume, sitting down reading a book to kids, something that happens every day in schools, everywhere around the world, from cartoon characters, to people in princess costumes."
Mr Bound said he was familiar with the performer's range of drag personas and while some were sexualised or political, others were "just camp characters that are just fantastic fun" and were not controversial.
Mayor 'all for' diverse communities
Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson provided a statement in support of the library's event.
"I am proud of Launceston's diversity and ways to celebrate uniqueness and difference. I am all for creating a more equitable, diverse and inclusive community."
City of Hobart councillor Louise Elliot has also weighed in on the debate, posting to Twitter that she "wouldn't want my kids to see it" and that "drag queens are adult entertainment, not role models for kids".
"It does have a cringe feeling like it's taking the piss out of females, but I'm often impressed by their hair, make-up, outfits."
Pussay Poppins declined to comment regarding the criticism of the upcoming event.
