![\"Lady](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/a46797ba-1a35-4b03-b02d-abfdcbb8e576.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLady Portia Di Monte \u2013 one of two drag performers involved with the event at Holywood Arches Library \u2013 is taking the legal action on \u201creputation and safety\u201d grounds.<\/p>\n
The event became the subject of controversy over recent days, with DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons saying the event was \u201cnot appropriate for children\u201d and that it \u201cshould not have taken place and it has compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all\u201d.<\/p>\n
During the event Lady Portia, whose real name is Marcus Hunter-Neill, read storybooks to the children, while Miss Dora Belle interpreted the stories into British Sign Language (BSL).<\/p>\n
Lady Portia, in a statement issued by Phoenix Law, said: \u201cOver the weekend, a private, family-friendly Drag Queen Storytime event at Holywood Arches Library, part of the EastSide Arts Festival, became the subject of targeted misinformation and online abuse.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis joyful, ticketed event was held in a public library with full support from staff, parents, and festival organisers. It included readings of The Chronicles of Narnia, Dear Zoo, and stories celebrating diverse families.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren also enjoyed inclusive games, music, and a British Sign Language session – promoting communication and belonging for all.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite its warm and educational focus, the event was disrupted by protesters whose actions created fear and discouraged some families from attending.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lady Portia Di\u2019Monte took part in the event at a Belfast library which was targeted by protesters (Peter Morrison\/PA)<\/p>\n
News Catch Up – Wednesday 6th August <\/p>\n
\u201cThe PSNI were present to maintain safety due to external threats – not because of any risk inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the event, I have been subjected to abuse and false accusations online. I am now seeking legal advice to protect my reputation and my safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cRepresentation matters. When children see diversity reflected around them-whether it\u2019s queer people, deaf individuals, blended families, or those who feel different-it builds empathy, understanding, and resilience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese events are about joy, education, and creating spaces where every child can feel seen and valued.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo the families, staff, and supporters-thank you. To those spreading hate-I will not be silenced. I remain committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all children to grow up feeling accepted and proud of who they are\u201d.<\/p>\n
![\"Communities](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2.80480658.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the drag queen event at a Belfast library should not have taken place (Liam McBurney\/PA)<\/p>\n
The PSNI confirmed they attended the event after a report of a \u201csmall demonstration\u201d and two people were escorted from the building to ensure there would be \u201cno breach of the peace\u201d.<\/p>\n
A PSNI spokesperson said: \u201cPolice attended a report of a small demonstration at the Holywood Arches area of east Belfast on Friday 1st August, shortly after 1.40pm and engaged with those present.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo people were escorted from the building to further ensure that there would be no breach of the peace.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage, no offences were determined to have taken place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Solicitor Victoria Haddock added: \u201cSince the event, our client has been subjected to a campaign of online abuse, including highly serious and defamatory allegations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese claims, made by various online groups, platforms, and individuals, are entirely unfounded, malicious, and constitute a deliberate effort to harm our client\u2019s reputation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe suggestion that drag performance in this context poses any risk to children is baseless and harmful.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have now been instructed to initiate legal proceedings against all those responsible for publishing defamatory material, and to examine whether any criminal offences have been committed.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lady Portia Di Monte \u2013 one of two drag performers involved with the event at Holywood Arches Library…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":323000,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[21747,29366,42497,1611,12,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-322999","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uk","8":"category-united-kingdom","9":"tag-department-for-communities","10":"tag-east-belfast-news","11":"tag-gordon-lyons","12":"tag-jessica-rice","13":"tag-news","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114982886150871076","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=322999"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322999\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/323000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=322999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=322999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=322999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}