ANTI-RACISTS are set to launch several counter-protests against a string of far-right homophobic attacks on Drag Queen events. 

Drag Queen Story Hour, an tour which sees Drag Queens read books about inclusion to children in libraries, has been repeatedly targeted by far-right and conspiracy groups in recent weeks. 

Drag Queen Story Hour began seven-years ago aiming to “inspire a love of reading, while teaching deeper lessons on diversity.” It has been criticised by some feminist and safeguarding groups who argue it promotes gender stereotypes and is inappropriate for children.

More recently, events have been disrupted in Bristol and Reading by the far right, while Norfolk City Council postponed an event in North Walsham Library on Thursday over safety concerns. 

Those targeting the event include fascist party Patriotic Alternative leader Mark Collet.

The groups claim the events “sexualise children,” and have berated parents with homophobic and transphobic slurs.

But anti-racists have accused the groups of attempting “to foster the pernicious myth that drag is a kind of ‘child grooming’ or in some way sexual.”

Stand Up to Racism national co-convener Weyman Bennett said the group will be hosting “solidarity protests” in several cities this month to oppose “attempts to intimidate children, parents and LGBT+ people.”