Ontario progressives seek to outlaw protests and criticism of drag shows

On Wednesday, New Democratic Party (NDP), Ontario Assembly representative, Kristyn Wong-Tam, called for legally shielding drag queen events in the Canadian federal province. The progressive politician introduced a bill in the provincial Assembly to give the necessary tools to the Prosecutor's Office and establish security perimeters around drag shows.

During the presentation of his initiative, Wong-Tam highlighted the dangerous situation in which the 2SLGBTQI+ community finds itself. He pointed to statistical data showing an increase in sexual orientation-related assaults in 2022. He also alluded to the recent events that created controversy in the United States after the insistence of certain progressive sectors who advocated to hold Drag Shows in schools despite the reluctance of parents.

The bill, named the 2SLGBTQI+ Communities Protection Act, provides for fines of up to $25,000 for those who promote "anti-LGBTQ harassment, intimidation and hate speech" within 100 meters of a drag event, Wong-Tam said at her press conference, surrounded by members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. These companions also took the floor during the event to celebrate the initiative. Crystal Quartz and Scarlett Bobo, two drag artists, said their culture is based on "spreading love and acceptance, and allows people to feel powerful and special."

Shows in the spotlight

Crystal Quartz explained how he faced a strong negative social backlash after performing in several shows for minors. The drag performer believes it was an organized campaign against him and caused by bigotry. He assured that since the beginning of these protests for his "all ages" shows, he is making much less money than before due to show cancellations.

In early March, the case of the Lavish, the only gay bar in London, Ontario, was reported in the media. This venue, which had several scheduled drag shows, made the decision not to allow access to those under 19 years of age, earning criticism from progressive sectors. The head of the business, John Banks, assured the media that he simply did not want minors in potentially sexually explicit shows. "We don't want to put a minor in a spot they don't want to be in. There could be a lot of dangerous situations at an all-ages event when there is older drag or young drag and someone who is 17 years old doesn't want to be exposed to that." Banks added.

It is unlikely that the bill will prosper in the House. As of 2018, the Ontario Parliament has a Conservative majority, holding 81 of 124 seats. The government is also held by the Conservatives of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party-Conservative, since Doug Ford took it from Kathleen Wynne in 2018, in what was the biggest defeat in Ontario Liberal history.

The House majority spokeswoman told the media that they would read the bill and the House would decide what to do with it in the future.