Two drag queens will bring their Rainbow Storytime for kids to Hastings Library, despite ongoing threats of protest that cancelled the same event in Rotorua. 

Rainbow Storytime with Erika and CoCo Flash will take place next Wednesday (March 27) at Hastings Library, with two shows aimed at kids (10.30am and 3.30pm) and another 'Living Library' aimed at older teens and adults. 

The Taranaki-based drag queen entertainers Coco (Sunita Torrance) and Erika Flash (Daniel Lockett) have previously brought their events to Hastings Library, in August 2020 and again in 2022, and read books such as Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae.

However, the same event in Rotorua scheduled for today was cancelled, with the local council citing security concerns amid "hostile dialogue" and "rapid spread of misinformation". 

Last week, Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki pledged to shut down the event and is now promising to do the same for Gisborne and Hastings. 

Speaking to Hawke's Bay App, Torrance, who was brought up attending Destiny Church, says she has been getting "messages constantly" from people saying they plan to do everything they can to cancel their Gisborne and Hastings events. 

"We have been doing this for eight years and we have seen the swift increase in opposition to what we do and it's all come about from misinformation and disinformation to be honest. There seems to be no understanding that we're professional performers and actors." 

Torrance said they created the "curriculum" from nothing after a librarian in Taranaki asked them to hold a storytime.

"People have just picked it up and said 'no, we've seen YouTube and we don't like this, it's transgender'. Neither of us are transgender, that's not personally who we are. I am a cisgender female and I'm straight and Daniel is a gay male and we both dress in drag as females. That's because of the characters we have established and have been invited to start Rainbow Storytime with." 

While she is not concerned for her own safety, Torrance says she worries about the "kids and families" who plan to attend.

"We can hold ourselves. We know our truth, so that's fine. It's more of a frustration that these people are twisting things in such a way that it's defaming us outright calling us paedophiles and child groomers and that we shouldn't be around children. That sort of stuff can have an effect." 

She says the books they read are about dancing giraffes and singing chickens, while the 'Living Library' event allows people to ask questions, talk about LGBTQ+ issues, and get drag inspiration.

"All we want is for people to be kind to each other and it's all about giving people a chance who might be different to you." 

Michael Ngahuka, a local Destiny Church pastor, plans to hold a "family event" outside Hastings Library if the event goes ahead. 

"We will stand, we'll do a family event. We'll do all we need to do to protect the safety of our children."

Ngahuka, along with others, emailed Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and councillors to share their concern about the "sexualising of our children". 

"We expressed our deep concern because for us, we're all about inclusion, diversity and all those things, but why drag queens sharing stories to children? I don't understand why our Council and our library would condone this and our library is in a public place."

The three events will cost $1200 + GST, funded by ratepayers. 

Ngahuka says while he doesn't believe ratepayers should be funding the event, his main concern is "the children". 

A Hastings District Council spokesperson confirmed to Hawke's Bay App that the Rainbow Storytime event is still planned to go ahead but "council continues to review community feedback and potential safety concerns in relation to the event". 

"In its programming, Council’s library services promote tolerance and inclusion and embrace diversity with programming that caters for as many people as possible." 

The spokesperson said they are working with local police in the lead up to the event, and if "deemed safe and the event goes ahead" kaitiaki and City Assist will be present on the day.

"Council is aware some members of the community have strong views around the event and that there is potential for protest. However, no specific plans have been confirmed.

"As part of business as usual, Council employs Kaitiaki on a daily basis at the Hastings Library and they are supported by a network of CCTV cameras in and around the building. In addition City Assist ambassadors regularly visit the library." 

"The programme has been designed for young children and does not push any sexual identity agenda. Importantly, it is a matter of choice for parents whether they want their children to attend or not."

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