Calgary drag protests continue following bylaw change, 1 arrest made

There were tense scenes outside a drag storytime event in Calgary Wednesday, with one arrest made a day after the city passed bylaw changes.

Calgary police confirmed to CityNews that one person was arrested and charged after a breach of conditions related to a criminal matter.

A video posted on Twitter captured police trying to separate protestors and counter-protestors in a parking lot not too far from the Signal Hill Public Library.

While officers did not confirm the individual, the video shows Calgary Pastor Derek Reimer being taken into custody.

The 36-year-old was charged with mischief and causing a disturbance following the Reading with Royalty event at the Seton library in late February.

He was released on the condition he does not disturb or protest at any drag events.

The Calgary Public Library hosts the reading event, where drag kings and queens read stories to families and children.

They’ve been faced with constant protest, but performers say the show must go on.

“I am not a young person. I was around in the 80s when all this hate was prevalent then, and it’s back,” said Shane Onyou, a performer for the reading event.

“I refuse to go back in the closet.” 

Drag show supporters did what they could to help maintain a positive experience for those taking in the event.

Meanwhile, some supporters told CityNews they’re cautiously optimistic about the city’s new “Safe and Inclusive Access” bylaw passed Tuesday.

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The bylaw puts up a protest-free zone around all recreation facilities and libraries. It was made after numerous protests targeting the 2SLGBTQ+ community escalated at the story time events.

Onyou says it’s a start but feels hate is ramping up to historic levels.

“It’s definitely comparable to the 80s with the AIDS epidemic and just the fear-mongering and the plain misinformation about what the queer community is all about,” they said.

There was a handful of protestors who showed up to protest the reading with royalty event.

However, for the most part, they stayed across the street from the library.

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• Calgary protestors show displeasure about Safe and Inclusive bylaw

• Calgary bylaw to crack down on protests at libraries and recreation centres

There was at least one person who made their way over to the library entrance but was quickly met with drag supporters who were reminding them about the city’s new bylaw.

“We shouldn’t be having to have these conversations in 2023. We shouldn’t have to deal with this much hate for us trying to be who we want to be,” said LJ Nailz, who also performed at the event.

CityNews spoke with a protestor off-camera who said Wednesday was her first time attending a protest, and the city’s new bylaw won’t dissuade her from protesting again in the future.

-With files from Phil Wood