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Drag queen reading event at Lansdale library packed with supporters

Published  February 2, 2019 6:15pm EST
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

LANSDALE, Pa. (WTXF) - Dozens of people packed the parking lot of the Lansdale Public Library Saturday morning ahead of their first of its kind story time reading program, "Drag Queen Story Fun Time with Annie."

While there was a group of protesters, the parking lot was packed with people holding signs about inclusion, love and support for local drag queen Annie Christ.

"I think it's a wonderful thing, there are so many people here," said Tom Meyer, the library's director. "It's amazing. It's amazing the love and support we're feeling."

"It just shows how great Lansdale is," Christ said.

Ahead of the event, Meyer told Fox 29 he was inundated with phone calls and complaints over the program. Opponents of the event had concerns about exposure to children and made claims that Annie Christ could be interpreted as a play on "anti-Christ."

"It's not a message of acceptance. It's a message of gender confusion," Marilyn Teed, a protester, said.

Meyer refused to cancel the event, citing the library's "Bill of Rights," which states if a meeting room is available to the public, it is available to everyone. Christ submitted a request for the event back in November and passed all necessary background checks.

Because of the crowd, Meyer separated the readings into two sessions so everyone could have an opportunity to listen and meet her.

"I brought my kids because I want them to be comfortable being who they want to be, wherever they want to be," explained Annie McCourt Makaron, a local mom who came out to support Christ. "If Annie is able to reach one little kid, it could completely change their life and let them accept themselves and love themselves for whoever they are."

Lansdale Police brought 16 police officers, as well as 10 officers from Montgomery County to monitor the event and make sure a peaceful atmosphere remained.

At one point, several officers stood in between the two crowds.

"What you see is that there's a lot of love that turned out today, a lot of support," said Rhian Lockard, an interfaith minister with Circle of Miracles in New Britain. "That brings the smaller communities together, so that's one bright light in what's going on."