Protests against drag queen readings for children in Vienna

While right-wing and left-wing demonstrators loudly played marching music and queer hymns in front of the Turquoise Rosa Lila Villa on Linke Wienzeile, numerous families followed the performance by artist Freya Van Kant on the upper floor of the Villa Vida bar.

An estimated hundred people had gathered directly in front of the Turquoise Rosa Lila Villa to protest against the Drag Queen reading to the sounds of the Radetzky March, among other things, including representatives of the FPÖ, the Identitarians around Martin Sellner and people from the hooligan environment. Christian fundamentalists were also expected. In addition to banners with the words “Protecting children is not a crime” or “No gender indoctrination with my taxes”, there was also a demonstrator with a cross. The Viennese FPÖ boss Dominik Nepp had called for the drag queen reading to be canceled, saying that “an unacceptable early sexualization of small children” was taking place here. At the beginning of March, the FPÖ called for a general ban on drag queen shows for children in a special session of the Vienna state parliament.

Counter-demonstrators waved rainbow flags

A multiple number of demonstrators – separated by a buffer zone with barriers – also made a loud noise for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community in front of the Villa Vida, the restaurant of the Turquoise Rosa Lila Villa. Rainbow flags were waved to the sounds of numbers such as “I will survive” and the estimated 400 to 500 participants chanted “There is no right to Nazi propaganda”. A solidarity rally will run until 6 p.m. under the motto “Vienna is queer! Drag is not a crime”, at which Conchita Wurst will also appear.

Those families who signed up for the Drag Queen reading were undeterred by the hustle and bustle. “It cannot be the consequence that the intimidation works,” emphasized a mother in an interview with the APA. As originally planned, around 40 people came to the event, which had been moved to the first floor because of the demos. There, artist Freya van Kant, in a red glittering tulle dress and a teased blonde wig, staged a fairy tale story, as we know it from classic children’s adventure theater, including a dance unit and a round of fencing with swimming pool noodles – only this time the princess had to save the prince who had been kidnapped by the dragon and not the opposite.

“Fear-monger Tactics”

“We’re not talking about sex here. It’s about favorite colors, favorite clothes and what it means to be unique,” emphasized Stephane Magloire, organizer of the “Queen’s Brunch” and the third Drag Queen reading in Villa Vida , in the APA conversation. At the Drag Queen readings, stories are read that are about being yourself and becoming a happy person, explained van Kant. “These are stories that are good for every child,” it’s about it human dignity and also about Christian values ​​such as charity. It is very strange that a “right-wing mob”, whose sole aim is to sow discord and spread fear, should mobilize against such things.

Van Kant had previously briefly considered canceling the event in view of the threats of violence on the Internet and media reports in which the community was polemicized. However, it quickly became clear that something important was at stake. “The scare tactics didn’t work.” The parents who registered for the event also unanimously reported that it was important to them to come to the event despite the demo. “We’re standing up as a community,” Magloire said. After the event, Van Kant was satisfied with the solidarity event. “Today, Viennese society showed how tolerant and colorful it is.”