Honor Oak Pub: Third counter demonstration organised to defend kids’ drag event from far right protesters

A third counter demonstration has been organised in support of a drag act whose upcoming performance at a south London pub has sparked a far-right protest.

The drag storytelling event, hosted by drag artist That Girl, takes place monthly at The Honor Oak and is described as a PG hour “of whimsical story time, where everyone is welcome, and magic is possible”.

But far-right group Turning Point UK claims that the storytelling session, is not suitable for children, and call it “grooming”.

The far-right group has organised another protest for 9am on Saturday April 29 outside The Honor Oak pub in Lewisham.

In response Stand Up To Racism in south east London has organised a counter protest to stand up against hatred.

During the first demonstration on February 25, around 800 people gathered to support the pub, opposing Turning Point’s protest which saw only 40 people in attendance.

Dozens of police attended the scene to prevent the two sides from mixing.

Several fliers and posters have been seen around Lewisham and southeast London saying “Nazis not welcome here”, in preparation for the next demonstration.

In a post on Instagram, That Girl wrote: “It has come to our attention that there are plans to protest another of our events on Saturday April 29 at The Honor Oak Pub in Honor Oak.

“I would like to thank you all for your support at the previous two events, we cannot do this alone and we are calling on you again to stand with us against this bigotry.

“If you feel safe and able to join us, please come along but also note that our event will be a display of queer joy and solidarity.

“We ask you not to engage with any protestors - they are not looking for a conversation and we will not dignify their bigotry with a response.

“As I have said numerous times, this is not about the children nor has it ever been about the children. This is queerphobia masquerading as concern, plain and simple.”

Turning Point have invited US transgender man Scott Newgent, who is now campaigning against children from medically transitioning to speak at their demonstration.

Honor Oak pub’s drag storytelling event is the latest in a string of protests instigated by right-wing groups.

Patriotic Alternative also organised protests to stop drag queens from reading to children and in February far-right protesters clashed with LGBTQ+ rights supporters outside of the Tate Britain art gallery to rally against a separate storytelling session.