The first meeting was shut down by the council’s general manager due to “sustained disorder”, and while the second night also involved plenty of rowdy discussions, it was eventually decided the council “not host drag story time in this council or accept any request from LGNSW or any other external body”.
While the packed gallery erupted in applause at the decision, opponents said it was “harmful”.
At the council meeting on February 21, Councillor Steve Christou proposed that “council not support and reject any encouragement or facilitation from LGNSW or any other Group, for the council to host drag or sexualised material designed to target children”, but that motion was amended a week later by Labor councillors to “not host drag story time in this council or accept any request from LGNSW or any other external body” and approved.
Cr Christou said the decision followed a mammoth community outcry.
“It is a huge win for the community,” he said.
Cumberland resident and drag performer, Jessica Duffy told the council she was “deeply disgusted” with the motion.
She said it showed blatant disregard for the LGBTIQA community.
“I have lived in Cumberland all my life and in the 10 years since I came out, I have never felt supported by this council,” she said.
Mayor Lisa Lake said the motion was capable of causing deep hurt.
“It does not reflect the ethos of this council to foster a place where everyone is welcome and feels a sense belonging,” she said.
The Council said it had never hosted drag story time and had not received any requests to do so by LGNSW or any other internal or external bodies.
Veto ‘drag story time’ hosting
AFTER heated discussions over two nights, Cumberland Council has decided it won’t host drag story time.
