When an Aida H Dee poster was defaced with ‘Teach ABCs not LGBTs’ they responded that they taught both.  ‘Acceptance, Bravery, Compassion, Love, Generosity, Benevolence, Tolerance’.  This set of values was too much for the far right, who promised a blockade of the show by up to 300 anti-drag protestors.

Attempts by the far right and transphobes to shut down Drag Queen Story Hour events is a developing problem in Britain, which is why members of Resisting Transphobia in Edinburgh went to the Assembly Roxy to stage a counter protest.  Members of SWSS had the same idea, so at one point we had a colourful contingent of about 20 doing a flag dance, making sure that the families didn’t have to see the scowling nasties. 

The great news was that only 8 far right turned up, the venue staff were wonderful and then Aida popped out to join us. The show was great too!

But that was Thursday, what would the far right maximum effort be on a Saturday?  8 again!

So this time a few of us just stood quietly near the end of the street, arms outstretched, holding flags.  In the process making friends with the staff, talking to members of the public who approached us, smiling at everyone, and totally marginalising the nasty people in the process.  We made it clear that LGBT+ folk stand together in solidarity and then give each other big hugs.  So we swung the good folk closer to us and demoralised the bad ones.

The far right ended their protest today with a whimper rather than a megaphone.  Perhaps an annoyed parent had words with them.

Gentle actions like the Assembly Roxy can be very effective.

References

Anti-Drag bigots promised 300 protesters at Edinburgh Fringe – only eight turned up

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