Drag Queen Story Hour in Bolton leads to protest

A handful of protestors gathered outside Bolton Museum and Library as well as the Albert Halls where they seen to scream and shout at parents and children going to attend the event.

The Drag Queen Story Hour took place today in front of a sell out audience.

The protestors also shouted at The Bolton News reporter when approached.

People visiting Bolton said they had been left upset by the actions of the protestors.

The police's tactical aid unit were called.

(Protestor  with police)

Tensions rose as a fight broke out between protestors and police jumped out of a van to break it up.

Another group of  counter-protestors are also outside the Albert Halls, defending the event.

It is not clear what caused the fight.

The protestors have come under severe criticism for their actions.

Simon Clark, from Moses Gate said: "What is wrong with a drag queen in a fairy tale dress reading a book to children. I have a nine-year-old niece and she would absolutely love that.

“This protest today is just ridiculous, this is no different to what is happening in the library to what happens on stage in pantomines.

“I am very proud Bolton went ahead with the event. The fact that it sold out shows that Bolton does not care what bigots think and show that we are not putting up with your hatred.

“It was only two weeks ago we had Bolton pride here and we did not  see this happening, there were drag queens on stage then and families were there.

“The protest is just pointless.”

One passer-by said: “Everyone has a different opinion, but why are they outside protesting like this?

“They should leave it alone, it’s not very nice to be shouting at parents with children like that.”

Another couple said: “It’s quite upsetting to see this sort of behaviour in Bolton.

“What is their reason for using language such as this and being aggressive?”

Parents are being heckled outside Bolton’s Albert Halls where a protest is being held against a drag queen reading hour.

Protestors with placards stood outside both Bolton Library and Museums and Albert Halls with signs suggesting they didn’t like what was going on.

The Drag Queen Story Hour is already underway in Bolton and has been travelling through the North with Rochdale Council reversing putting on the same show.

Bolton Library and Museum tweeted earlier: “We had a surge of people registering to attend the Drag Queen Story Hour and as we are keen for as many people to attend as possible, we transferred all previously advertised dates and locations to one event at Bolton Albert Halls on the 17th August.

“This event is now at capacity and we are no longer taking bookings.”

The protestors are expected to stay until the story time session finishes.