Drag storytime performer answers questions raised in emails to government

Last spring, Tommy Des Rosiers was invited to read a book at Sainte-Bernadette School in Moncton, dressed as his drag persona Rose Beef.

He says that prompteda group of people on social media to post messagescriticizing him and the event.

One voice message sent to Des Rosierson Facebook called him a "pedophile."

"I'll tell you, man, go near my kids and I swear that's going to go badly for you guys," the sender said in French.

The same storytime event was at the centre of emailssent to the provincial government last spring, right before it officially began thereview of Policy 713,the Education Department policy on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Emailsclaimingthat drag performers are pedophiles and 2SLGBTQ-inclusive education is "indoctrination" went to Minister of Education Bill Hogan.

A CBC News investigation revealed the storytime event at Sainte-Bernadette was a focal point for several of the senders. Some struck an alarmed tone.

Others posed questions: Were parents notified? Why would an "adult nightclub performer" be allowed at school? Was there a criminal background check? Why hold these events?

Des Rosiers said there are answers to all these questions.

Were there inappropriate discussions?

In character at the event, Des Rosierswore a floor-length, full-sleeve, high-neck floral dress, sat inan office chair in a classroomsurrounded by kids and a few school personnel, and read Je suis Marilou Melon.

The book is abouta little girl who wasembarrassed by her big teeth butlearns to embrace them.

"She got bullied in school because of her big teeth. And she used her big teeth to make people laugh,"Des Rosierssaid.

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Tommy Des Rosiers was invited to read a book at a school event last year that prompted emails to the minister of education.

The school chose the book and said it was about the universal experience of learning to embrace what sets you apart, De Rosiers said. He said there was no discussion of gender identity or 2SLGBTQ+ issues.

Gender identity and expression is taught from Grade 6 onward, according to the New Brunswick curriculum.

Des Rosiers said they also got in a line and danced the conga after reading the book.

He said he returned to the school a few months later, out of drag, to hold an acting workshop for the same kids.

"None of them became gay," Des Rosiers said in a phone interview.

"None of them were traumatized. None of them left school. None of them started putting makeup," he said. "For them, it was just a good time. It was just like this tall princess with them ... reading a book."

In a letter responding to one of the emails, Minister of Education Bill Hogan said the event at Sainte-Bernadette's was age appropriate.

"Rest assured that guest performer activities are planned based on alignment with grade-level learning objectives," Hogan wrote.

Were parents notified?

In the letter to a member of the public, Hogan confirmed that parental consent was sought.

"Each year during French Pride Week, the school invites a local celebrity to read a story to the students," Hogan wrote. "The choice of a drag queen from the region as a guest performer was made by the school staff. The activity was aimed at literacy, identity building and the development of inclusive values and diversity.

"Parents were informed about the drag queen guest performer one week in advance. Anyone who did not wish for their child to participate in this event were offered another activity."

One parent raised concerns with the Francophone South School District, spokesperson Jean-Luc Thriaultsaid. Asked how the school district handled thoseconcerns, Thriault said "we don't wish to comment further on this specific case, but all parties were satisfied when the activity was held.

"The reading of children's stories by artists is in line with one of our objectives of developing a taste for reading and promoting diversity," Thriault said in an email. "We believe that by being open to diversity, we contribute to making our world a more welcoming, open and inclusive place where everyone can develop freely."

Was there a criminal record check?

Des Rosiers said he had gone to the school before, out of drag, to leadan acting workshop. He said to do that, he needed a criminal background check, which is typical for all schools.

That check was still in the system when he was invited to read the book, so he didn't need to do it again, he said.

Des Rosiers said it's fair to ask whether a criminal record check was done for anyone who interacts with schoolchildren, as it's an important safety precaution. But he said he sees more scrutiny when he's performing in drag.

"When I went there at that time, it was fine. But then when I came back in a little bit of makeup, now that was a problem," he said. "Why would they bring me if I was a criminal?"

What was theeventabout?

In the past two years, protests against drag storytime have increased. There are several bills banning them in the United States. The events are typically held in libraries with the goal of entertaining, starting a conversation and increasing tolerance to different gender expressions.

In May 2023, Premier Blaine Higgs said he doesn't believe it's appropriate for younger kids to be exposed to drag storytime. He made the comments during a scrum while answering questions about the province's school gender-identity policy.

"Are we asking should kids in elementary school and kindergarten be exposed to drag queen reading time? Is that what you're asking? Because no, I don't think they should be at that age," Higgs said.

An article by two psychology professors that was posted on Mount St. Vincent University's website in June 2023quotes Higgs's question and providesa different answer.

"Contrary to misconceptions, exposing children to diverse gender identities and expressions supports their natural development," the article by Conor Barker and Daniel Seguin says.

"Introducing children to diverse gender expressions does not encourage gender dysphoria or confusion."

In an interview, Barker said children are "bombarded" with gendered messages every day.

"From their friends, from their parents, from the media, from advertisements, you know, Disney princesses or WWE wrestlers, these are very gendered messages that children are receiving, and they're thinking these things through," he said.

"So what drag queen storytime creates is an opportunity for a discussion."

He said seeing a different way of gender expression would help some kids feel more accepted, and would help other kids be more accepting.