Northern Ireland Minister Criticizes Drag Queen Library Event Amid Protests

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has stated that a drag queen storytelling event held at Holywood Arches Library in east Belfast was "not appropriate for children" and "should not have taken place." The event, organized by Eastside Arts Festival and hosted in the library, featured two drag queens reading storybooks to children and was advertised as suitable for all ages, aiming to promote individuality and inclusivity. Lyons clarified that Libraries NI was not the event organizer and that the booking fell outside Libraries NI’s policy, which he says has been compromised by the event. Following local parents' concerns, a small protest occurred outside the library, with police escorting two individuals from the building to prevent any breach of peace; no offenses were identified. The Eastside Partnership defended the event as a long-standing, positively received annual program. Lyons has directed officials to work with Libraries NI to ensure policy adherence and stated that such events will not be repeated in public libraries.