For a while it seemed that everything was on the up for LGBT+ people in the UK. It would be naïve to say that things haven't improved across the board, especially in Wales. But the thing is, this is only true if you're a heteronormative kind of gay. You're gay, but you don't 'look' gay? Perfect!
The reason why I'm saying is this is quite simple. Anything other than heteronormative LGBT+ behaviour can create a massive negative reaction, even if it's positive and promoting acceptance. If you're lucky enough to be on social media, especially Twitter, you've probably come across Drag Queen Story Hour UK. In short, the service you get is exactly what it says on the tin. Run by the colourful Aida H Dee, she travels around the UK promoting reading for children. Dressed in a pantomime-like costume, she reads children's books to children and has even created books of her own that promote inclusion. One was about some goats who fought off the big white wolf instead of a black wolf, a subtle reference that evil in fairy tales doesn't have to be dark to be wicked. More information about the book can be found here.
As Aida heads out on tour with her reading sessions, chaos has ensued. Demonstrators have come out to protest story-telling in frankly weird ways. A video online shows grown women storming a session full of infant children and their parents shouting: "This is child grooming. All parents in here should be ashamed of themselves." The woman addresses the crowd of crying infants and parents and asks "who knows what paedophile is?" Clearly, she doesn't have a clue herself.
