A DRAG queen who has recently experienced a tirade of abuse by protesters will be bringing her tour to Wokingham libraries later this month.

Aida H Dee, a nationally acclaimed drag performer, will be reading to children at Wokingham Library, Woodley Library and Lower Earley Library.

The sessions, called Drag Queen Story Hour UK, aims to promote diversity and acceptance, as well as encouraging more families to attend their local library.

Free story hours will be on offer on Wednesday, August 24 for families with children aged four and over at Wokingham Library 11am, Woodley Library 1pm and Lower Earley Library 3pm.

Despite positive feedback from parents, Aida's storytelling performances have been met with protesters distrupting sessions and accusing the drag queen of 'sexualising children'.

Last month, police officers were called to Reading Central Library on July 25, after protesters shouted abuse in front of families.

Michael Chaves, in his 50s, who lives in East Sussex, said he was protesting against the storybook tours as it was ‘sexualising children’ and encouraging sexualisation.

The touring event moved on to Southcote Library where police were forced to guard the entrance to the library following the previous disruption.

The small event was heavily policed, with nine officers standing guard at the entrance.  Officers stood in a row to deter protesters from entering the library, which was free but ticketed.

However, a number of young people from the LGBT+ community and allies had also turned up to support Aida H Dee.

Billie Antimony, 18, from Calcot said: “I’m here in support of drag, and children being exposed to drag and the arts."

Wokingham Borough Council has not raised issues about protesters coming to the Wokingham events. In fact, the council feels 'very fortunate' to host Drag Queen Story Hour.

Cllr Sarah Kerr, the new executive member for climate emergency and resident services, said: "Parents who have attended performances by this established children’s entertainment company have shared positive feedback about the event, as well as its suitability for younger audiences.

“We absolutely share the principles that this company stands for: to promote diversity and inclusion, to encourage children and young people to read books and for families to visit their local library. Through our fantastic libraries, we always aim to offer a varied and diverse programme of events and activities.”

Founder, Aida H Dee, is a patron of Autistic Inclusive Meets London, a professional author and five-star Edinburgh Fringe act, and has featured on Forbes Magazine for being an activist for neurodivergence.

Aida said: “When I was a child, I had no role model I could have related to. It felt like I was the only queer person on the planet. 

"This tour is not just about having fun and dressing up, it’s about ensuring that anybody who feels different knows that being different is not just something to be accepted, it is something to be loved. I will be reading my own published children’s books about queer goats and lesbian hedgehogs.”

Places must be booked at the appropriate branch and attendees must have a valid library card when bookings are made.