Jamaica Plain News (https://www.jamaicaplainnews.com/2022/07/25/nazis-tried-to-protest-a-drag-queen-story-hour-at-the-loring-greenough-house/466632)
A group of masked neo-Nazis tried to protest a drag queen story hour for children at the Loring Greenough House, but they were late and missed the actual event on Saturday.
The event featured Patty Bouree reading to children, and was initially scheduled for two weeks ago, but was postponed after a tip was provided there'd be a protest. Event organizers rescheduled for Saturday, and only advertised to current ticket holders, and arranged for a police presence.
But the Nazis still showed up, seemingly only males, worried about a story hour, and screamed about pedophiles, and as UniversalHub.com pointed out -- there own group has had members charged with pedophilia. At least one neo-Nazi was arrested, as were counter protestors, reported UniversalHub.com.
A counter protest was quickly arranged and the show went on.
Thank you to the folks in JP who organized a counter protest so quickly to let these fascists know that Queer people are not pedos 🙂
— Lea from Hel (@PattyBourree) July 23, 2022
"We weren't going to let Nazi scum diminish our enthusiasm to support drag queen story hour and the LGBTQ and other communities, so we went and had a phenomenal time," said Tony Cunningham, a doctor of clinical psychology, to Jamaica Plain News. "Patty Bourrée was fantastic and the kids all had a blast. My daughter spent the rest of the morning singing and making up stories so it was a great influence and inspiration."
#dragqueenstorytime at @LoringGreenough with @PattyBourree!!
Postponed and without advertisement bc literal f*cking Nazis wanted to disrupt a children's event, but we made it happen y'all and it was a blast!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/QQ01x1wuvD
— Tony Cunningham (@Sleep_Strong) July 23, 2022
The Loring Greenough House released a statement about the event.
On Saturday, July 23 rd , the Loring Greenough House hosted the Drag Queen Story Time. Parents and children were entertained with singing and book reading. All enjoyed the event.
Unfortunately, a group of masked neo-Nazis gathered just outside our fence to chant malicious and homophobic rhetoric. The protest of a Drag Queen event was a tool to gain attention. Any concern for the well-being of children was absent.
The Loring Greenough House deeply appreciates our community who gathered across the street to support each other. It was uplifting to see Jamaica Plain demonstrate that we will not be bystanders in the face of bigotry. We also wish to express our gratitude to the District 13 Police force who were on hand to keep The Loring Greenough Houses’ guests safe.
As a part of our mission, the Loring Greenough House strives to foster civic and community spirit. On this day and every day, we do so by standing with our community against hatred and injustice. We continue to welcome respectful community members to our premises.
People on social media provided their opinions on a group of men who protest a person wearing a dress and reading to children and their parents.
If you’re looking at a drag queen story time and getting turned on by it, that’s on you. Most people and kids see it for what it is….adults dressing up in silly costumes and donating their time to read and educate your kid. If you’re threatened by it so much, ask yourself why.
— Mac Mac (@W1OMN) July 24, 2022
Send Honk! Drown em out with joyful sounds!
Do they know the founding fathers wore heels, Stockings, ruffles, lace, make up and wigs? pic.twitter.com/vG8AlrqrQW
And as Cunningham pointed out, the Nazis are not that organized, and completely missed the event.
"My daughter and I were blocks away when we heard some shouting which I assume was them. Mark me down as not surprised that a lack of organization and punctuality runs in the Hitler cosplayers," said Cunningham.
Also, as many of us feel, Cunningham added: Fuck Nazis.
Jamaica Plain News is an independent online news source and community platform for the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.
Our publisher David Ertischek has been a community journalist for more than 18 years. He has been the editor and reporter for local newspapers and websites. He has lived in Jamaica Plain since 2002. His favorite thing about Jamaica Plain is the Arnold Arboretum.
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