Calgary city council passes second bylaw against ‘drag show’ protests
Charges under each bylaw carry a maximum penalty of up to $10,000 or six months in prison.
Calgary City Council updated its controversial harassment bylaw Tuesday evening and approved another to prevent opponents of drag shows — particularly those involving children — from peacefully voicing their displeasure.
During a regularly scheduled council meeting, city council added "intimidation" to the existing bylaw.
Councillors also passed a second yet similar bylaw on Tuesday, called the safe and inclusive access bylaw. It prohibits protests within 100 metres of a recreation facility or library, effective immediately.
Charges under each bylaw carry a maximum penalty of up to $10,000 or six months in prison.
Council will review both in about a month to assess their utility.
BREAKING: Pastor Derek Reimer has been issued a trespass notice for holding a silent prayer inside of Calgary's city hall.
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) March 14, 2023
Stay tuned for updates: https://t.co/Aemeo5Afjl pic.twitter.com/m2xmE6BcSK
The move comes as Christian pastor Derek Reimer, 36, protested a drag queen story hour, Reading with Royalty, at Seton Public Library in February.
During drag queen story hours, adults dressed in drag read to children in recreational facilities, typically libraries, earning tense pushback from concerned parents.
Libraries across Canada — including Halifax, Moncton, and Coquitlam — have faced similar protests in recent months.
In particular, Reimer faces criminal charges and additional charges concerning the first bylaw.
THE @EZRALEVANT SHOW
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) March 15, 2023
Calgary’s city hall continues to ban protests — but only conservative protests. Who will stop them?
GUEST: Ben Allison, who is representing Pastor Derek Reimer in his fight against charges for protesting a drag queen story timehttps://t.co/T16zlIDrVw
"Recent protests have targeted members of the [LGBTQ] community and impeding the city of Calgary's ability to provide safe and inclusive access to city services," reads the second bylaw.
"The public is entitled to access these services without being exposed to messaging, or behaviour that is hateful, intimidates, harasses or discriminates."
In addition to reading programs at public libraries, the new bylaw lists multiple events to justify the added protections amid “security concerns.”
Other events include the postponed Drag on Ice event at the Chinook Blast festival on February 10 and the ongoing protests at Canyon Meadows aquatic and fitness centre, where a biological male allegedly changed in its women’s locker room in the presence of underage girls.
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