For the first time since its return to Kelowna, Drag Storytime was simply met with acceptance, love, and smiling faces – not protesters.
On May 24, for the third year in a row, Drag Queen Freida Whales hosted a Kelowna Drag Storytime event, this time at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
The event was attended by 30 families and served as a fun kickoff to Pride Month, which begins with a Pride March on May 31 and culminates with a Two-Spirit Powwow on June 28.
"My favourite part was seeing all the happy kids," said Freida Whales, about the storytime event.
To a full crowd of smiling faces, Whales read their favourite books 'Giraffes Can't Dance' and 'Spoons,' and played games.
"Love always wins," said Whales after the successful event.
Over the last few years, storytime events across Canada have been subject to harassment from protesters. This year, in preparation for the anti-drag hate, supporters gathered outside of the packed art gallery to blow bubbles and spread love in case protesters decided to attend – but they never did.
Despite the harassment and defamatory campaigns targeting those who support and organize the storytime events, Freida Whales has remained steadfast in their commitment to spreading love, acceptance and positivity through literature.
This year, the Kelowna Pride Month theme is 'Rise and Resist,' which serves as a reminder for all to come together as a community.
In addition to fun affiliate events organized by independent organizations, the Kelowna Pride Society is hosting seven official events from May 31 to June 30, including several drag shows, a pet parade, a bike ride and a paint night.
Whales will be hosting the May 31, Pride March opening ceremonies, and will be leading the parade. Later in the month, they will be hosting the June 20, Trans Pride event.
Last year, more than 12,000 people celebrated together at the Pride March, and Whales said they are expecting large crowds of rainbow-clad people again this year.
For more information on Kelowna's Pride Month, visit kelownapride.com and Freidawhales.com.
