Calgary drag queen reacts to anti-drag rallies
Posted Jan 17, 2023 9:07 am.
Last Updated Jan 17, 2023 9:09 am.
All age drag events have become a target for anti-drag groups in Calgary, as well as across Canada.
Those against drag performances have showed up at library story times, brunches, and shows, accusing drag performers of child abuse, grooming, and sexual exploitation.
Large numbers of supporters usually gather in response to anti-drag groups, supporting performers, and spreading messages of love and acceptance.
Deva Dave, a nearly 30-year veteran drag performer in Calgary, says he’s disappointed seeing rallies against drag shows and hearing baseless accusations of pedophilia.
“You have people who truly feel threatened by an artform that is supposed to be just fun,” Dave said.
“What the threat is, we don’t understand. What the fear is, we don’t understand. What are you losing by having your kids come out and have fun? Families come out, because the kids are not coming out by themselves they’re coming with their moms and dads, their aunts and uncles, and they’re having a fun time out.”
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Dave doesn’t perform often anymore but explains there was a time when leaving your house dressed in drag was far riskier. He recalls when there was a general fear of violence, and says over time drag has been embraced by mainstream audiences.
“Doing drag back then was not just about a demonstration, it was going out and freely performing to entertain and get away from the dull dreary truth of what life was,” Dave said. “You had no family if you came out, or you run a risk of losing your job, and so, drag for us was — back then — truly an escape, and it was grassroots.”
Dave, who is a father, says it’s not just about drag queens being harassed, or kids being influenced or negatively impacted.
“There’s a greater fear here, and they need to address those fears and not put it on the LGBTQ community, or the minority community, as they often do.”
