Miss Roxee's read on Rainbow Storytime protest

Illawarra drag queen Miss Roxee has vowed to do another Rainbow Storytime if given the chance, despite being targeted by a small group of protesters at her scheduled June appearance at Thirroul Library.

Rainbow Storytime, hosted by Wollongong Libraries, is promoted as a vibrant and inclusive event, during which a drag queen shares their "love of literacy and learning" through stories and songs with local children.

However, at Rainbow Storytime on Saturday, 24 June at Thirroul Library, a small group of people staged a protest against the event at the library.

Miss Roxee has been an integral part of this initiative since 2018. Her involvement with Rainbow Storytime began when she was invited to host a storytime session at Wollongong Library – a commitment that led to death threats and hateful messages at the time.

The inclusivity and acceptance that Rainbow Storytime promoted resonated deeply with Miss Roxee's desire to provide representation for queer individuals, something she yearned for during their own childhood.

When Miss Roxee was announced as the host of Rainbow Storytime at Thirroul Library in June, a group of individuals attempted to shut down the event. They contacted the library and Miss Roxee to complain.

Wollongong Libraries had taken all necessary precautions, including a Working with Children Check for Miss Roxee, to ensure the event met all of the necessary criteria.

“I felt that if I pulled out of storytime, then they win. It’s not fair for the people that need queer representation in their lives,” Miss Roxee said.

Despite safety concerns, Miss Roxee decided to proceed with the event, but organisers helped Miss Roxee avoid the protests at the front of the library by letting her in around the back of the building.

“The library staff were amazing at prioritising my safety,” Miss Roxee said.

She was met by library staff and police officers to ensure the event ran smoothly. When Miss Roxee left the venue she also had a police car escort to her home.

“The event itself was amazing. We booked out the venue with over 100 people. We sang Baby Shark and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and lots of parents thanked me for coming,” Miss Roxee said.

Thirroul Library's unwavering support and refusal to cancel the event was a testament to its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“I want to say a big thank you to Thirroul library who didn’t back down and didn’t cancel,” Miss Roxee said.

There is no date yet for the next Rainbow Storytime, but Miss Roxee is confident that she would host another, given the chance.

She was surprised that the protests in the lead-up and during the event didn’t impact her mental health.

“I’ve learnt to ignore hateful people," Miss Roxee said.

"In my seven years of doing drag, I have faced a lot of prejudice. It comes with the role of being queer.

"The reality is that sometimes I do live in a queer bubble. You forget that there are people out there trying to bring you down.

“However, the positive support has outweighed the negative… I’ve been doing this since 2018 and I’m not going anywhere."

Miss Roxee has faced adversity throughout their career, but the overwhelming support from the community has been a source of strength.

Since June 24's Rainbow Storytime, messages of solidarity have poured in, and individuals and allied groups have rallied to show their support. The rainbow flags displayed by Dykes on Bikes on the day was a particularly touching symbol of unity and acceptance, Miss Roxee said.

Miss Roxee emphasises the importance of representation to the queer community. She believes Rainbow Storytime serves as a platform for children to see themselves reflected in a positive light, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance.

To learn more about Miss Roxee, journey into drag and her other adult-only drag persona, click here.