Overview

• Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has ordered stricter enforcement of Libraries NI’s guidelines after the August 1 Drag Queen Storytime event.
• Police Service of Northern Ireland officers attended the protest, escorted two individuals to prevent a breach of the peace and determined no offences occurred.
• EastSide Partnership reaffirmed that its annual Drag Queen Storytime with BSL interpretation is a safe, family-friendly programme supported by positive feedback over 14 years.
• Lady Portia Di’Monte said she is seeking legal advice after facing a sustained campaign of online harassment and misinformation.
• LGBT advocates warn that allowing protesters to force event cancellations could set a dangerous precedent for inclusive cultural programming in public libraries.