A drag queen whose storytelling sessions for children prompted rival demonstrations over the weekend has defended the event as a way of helping youngsters discover their true selves.
Sab Samuel, whose drag name is Aida H Dee, hosted three Drag Queen Story Hour UK readings in Tate Britain in London on Saturday, while about 30 protesters from the far-right group Patriotic Alternative gathered outside chanting “leave our kids alone”.
They were confronted by a similar number of counter-demonstrators led by the campaign group Stand Up to Racism.
The rightwing protesters held signs reading: “No drag for kids!” Those supporting the event held signs saying: “Don’t let the far right divide us” and “Trans rights now”.
The Metropolitan police arrested one person at the demonstration on suspicion of making a racially aggravated comment towards a police officer.
No injuries were reported and the storytelling sessions went ahead inside without disruption.
Speaking to Trisha Goddard on TalkTV on Sunday, Samuel said drag readings for children were “an important topic” but that they had been “completely blown out of proportion” by protesters.
He said his readings can act as a “catalyst” for children to begin “living their true selves”. He said they could help save children from enduring the “horrendous mental health battle” he went through growing up.
Samuel, who is also a children’s author, said youngsters have approached him at drag events to come out as gay, and ask for advice about whether they should tell their parents.
“Years later, they’ve come out and they’ve now got a partner and they’re completely happy,” he said.
“And the catalyst to them living their true selves was coming to Drag Queen Story Hour. That is what Drag Queen Story Hour is about.”
Samuel – whose stage name, Aida H Dee, is inspired by his diagnosis of autism and ADHD – added: “All I want to do is be the role model that I wish I had when I was five years old.
“If I was told that gay was a good word and gay is fine, I wouldn’t have gone through the horrendous mental health battle and somewhat self-loathing that I had to go through to get to the point I’m at now, where I don’t just tolerate myself, I love myself.”
Samuel said that as a child he looked up to “powerful women like Madonna and Lady Gaga”.
He added: “Femininity is not just something to be tolerated, just like LGBTQ, we want to embrace it, it’s fabulous – why wouldn’t we?”
