Calgary city council passes safety bylaws after protests at library drag events

“If you don’t like the human rights argument, you should at least like the economic argument … You can’t be a thriving economy if you’re not inclusive.”

The changes, which were approved by a majority of council members, include adding the word “intimidation” to the harassment section of the existing public behaviour bylaw.

A second bylaw, which is called the safe and inclusive access bylaw, will immediately prohibit protests within 100 metres of an entrance to a recreation facility or library.

Some councillors expressed concerns that they were moving too quickly, but others suggested it was important to take a stand against discrimination.

“This is important work, this is hard work,” said Coun. Kourtney Penner.

“These are hard conversations to have as a community … how we treat each other and how we respect each other, and we know the importance of upholding Charter values.”

Penner said the bylaw will ensure all Calgarians will be able to go to and from city facilities without the threat of harassment, intimidation and violence.

“We are unfortunately here today because of the unkind behaviour targeting protected groups, most notably the queer community.”

Coun. Sonya Sharp expressed her support for the community and sent a stern message to the protesters.

“No one is forcing you to participate in these events, no one is forcing your children, you have the freedom to choose,” she said.

Sharp, however, was one of the councillors to vote against the new bylaw because she didn’t feel she got all her questions answered.

Both changes are to come back to council for a review in a little over a month.

The bylaws come as a 36-year-old man faces criminal and bylaw charges after Reading with Royalty — a family-friendly story time led by drag queens or kings — was disrupted in February at a public library.

“Recent protests have targeted members of the (LGBTQ) community and impeding the city of Calgary’s ability to provide safe and inclusive access to city services,” reads a report on the new bylaw. “The public is entitled to access these services without being exposed to messaging or behaviour that is hateful, intimidates, harasses or discriminates.”

It lists multiple events that have led to safety concerns, including: a Drag on Ice event that was postponed at the Chinook Blast festival on Feb. 10; ongoing protests at Canyon Meadows aquatic and fitness centre, which is connected to Calgary Recreation’s transgender and gender diverse facility; and the children’s reading programs at public libraries.

Libraries across Canada — including Moncton, Halifax and Coquitlam, B.C. — have faced similar protests this year.

There have also been anti-drag protests outside the Tate Britain art gallery in London, as well as several bookstores and libraries in the United States.

Tennessee recently brought in a law that would ban drag shows in public spaces starting July 1 and several other states are considering restrictions.

Across the United States, conservative activists and politicians have complained that drag contributes to the “sexualization” or “grooming” of children.

The efforts seek to smother popular “drag story hours,” at which drag queens read to kids. Organizers of LGBTQ Pride events say they put a chill on their parades.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2023.

— With files from The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

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Calgary city council passes safety bylaws after protests at library drag events

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