21-03-2024, 02:34 PM
The McBishop will be well pelased... 
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/512228/ro...y-concerns
"Rotorua Library's Rainbow Storytime event has been cancelled due to security concerns amid "hostile dialogue" and "rapid spread of misinformation", the council says.
It comes after Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki last week pledged to shut down the event prompting calls for a counter-protest to protect attendees. Two Rotorua Lakes Council elected members clashed over differing views of the event.
The free event planned for Thursday would have seen Taranaki drag queen entertainers Coco (Sunita Torrance) and Erika Flash (Daniel Lockett) reading children books such as Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae.
The council released a statement this afternoon advising the event will no longer be held.
It said Rainbow Storytime was a family-friendly event aimed at younger children, including book-reading, singing and dancing.
"The event is focussed on acceptance, anti-bullying, inclusion, being kind and having confidence in yourself. It has been a popular event in many other libraries and registrations for the event at Rotorua Library were full.
"Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, we have had to make the decision to cancel the event."
The statement said the council knew it would be disappointing for the children, parents and community members who wanted to participate in an "entertaining and empowering experience".
"Rotorua Library is an inclusive and safe space that encourages understanding and tolerance in our community and we have received a lot of positive feedback and support for the event.
"Unfortunately, not all our residents feel the same way and we have become aware that protests have been organised that changes the security profile of this event."
It acknowledged people's right to peaceful protest but said "multiple attempts" to contact protest representatives asking them to respect the space, library users and those who had chosen to attend the event went unanswered.
"Without these assurances, [the] council needed to review its security plan for Rainbow Storytime.
"We considered the hostile dialogue on social media and the rapid spread of misinformation about the performers and the purpose of the event as key factors."
It said the safety of those attending and its staff was a priority - and was especially important for events designed for younger children."
But it seems that the creator of Rainbow storytime is a former member of Tamaki's 'church.'
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/brains-b...FPXHH5L2Q/
"The creator of the Rainbow Storyline readings that Brian Tamaki has shut down in Rotorua is a former Destiny Church member who is angered at the abuse she and drag queen Daniel Lockett, who she reads with, have received from Tamaki’s team.
Sunita Torrance - stage name Coco - is the drag queen performer behind the Rainbow Storytime readings. Torrance and Lockett - Erika Flash - dress in drag and read children books such as Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae.
Torrance said since news of Tamaki’s protest action had been made public, she and Lockett had been abused and threatened.
Tamaki told the Herald he makes no apology for forcing the Rotorua cancellation.
“I am so proud of our teams and the people of Rotorua who stood up to local council and Drag Queens in Libraries Storytelling our Children,” Tamaki said.
“As a father and great-grandfather, I will go to any lengths to protect my children.
“Many good people have been trying to get these shut down for a while now, but I’m happy to lend my assistance to this cause, to finally make that possible. They are inappropriate as they sexualise our Kiwi children.
“I now have set my sights on events planned at the Gisborne Library and Hastings Library next week.”
Torrance said she was bought up as part of the Destiny Church whānau.
“About 20 years ago me and my mum attended Destiny Church,” Torrance said.
"I grew up in the church, so I have that upbringing and I would never subscribe to the idea of telling people they shouldn’t exist - where does that come from?”
“We had 80 people registered for Rotorua, they are the ones who will miss out.
“I created this curriculum on my own and it’s about children reading and having fun.”
The online abuse has come quick and hard, Torrance said, and contained inaccuracies.
Lockett’s character, based on Erika in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, has been twisted to suit others’ agendas.
“We have been targeted online and the abuse has been terrible.
“They are publishing our names and our photos and crossing the line but being called a paedophile is about the lowest thing you can do to anyone.
“Daniel is about to move to London to work and who would want that type of accusation hanging around?
“These people talk about freedom of speech but sounds like just their type of speech is acceptable.”
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/512228/ro...y-concerns
"Rotorua Library's Rainbow Storytime event has been cancelled due to security concerns amid "hostile dialogue" and "rapid spread of misinformation", the council says.
It comes after Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki last week pledged to shut down the event prompting calls for a counter-protest to protect attendees. Two Rotorua Lakes Council elected members clashed over differing views of the event.
The free event planned for Thursday would have seen Taranaki drag queen entertainers Coco (Sunita Torrance) and Erika Flash (Daniel Lockett) reading children books such as Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae.
The council released a statement this afternoon advising the event will no longer be held.
It said Rainbow Storytime was a family-friendly event aimed at younger children, including book-reading, singing and dancing.
"The event is focussed on acceptance, anti-bullying, inclusion, being kind and having confidence in yourself. It has been a popular event in many other libraries and registrations for the event at Rotorua Library were full.
"Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, we have had to make the decision to cancel the event."
The statement said the council knew it would be disappointing for the children, parents and community members who wanted to participate in an "entertaining and empowering experience".
"Rotorua Library is an inclusive and safe space that encourages understanding and tolerance in our community and we have received a lot of positive feedback and support for the event.
"Unfortunately, not all our residents feel the same way and we have become aware that protests have been organised that changes the security profile of this event."
It acknowledged people's right to peaceful protest but said "multiple attempts" to contact protest representatives asking them to respect the space, library users and those who had chosen to attend the event went unanswered.
"Without these assurances, [the] council needed to review its security plan for Rainbow Storytime.
"We considered the hostile dialogue on social media and the rapid spread of misinformation about the performers and the purpose of the event as key factors."
It said the safety of those attending and its staff was a priority - and was especially important for events designed for younger children."
But it seems that the creator of Rainbow storytime is a former member of Tamaki's 'church.'
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/brains-b...FPXHH5L2Q/
"The creator of the Rainbow Storyline readings that Brian Tamaki has shut down in Rotorua is a former Destiny Church member who is angered at the abuse she and drag queen Daniel Lockett, who she reads with, have received from Tamaki’s team.
Sunita Torrance - stage name Coco - is the drag queen performer behind the Rainbow Storytime readings. Torrance and Lockett - Erika Flash - dress in drag and read children books such as Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae.
Torrance said since news of Tamaki’s protest action had been made public, she and Lockett had been abused and threatened.
Tamaki told the Herald he makes no apology for forcing the Rotorua cancellation.
“I am so proud of our teams and the people of Rotorua who stood up to local council and Drag Queens in Libraries Storytelling our Children,” Tamaki said.
“As a father and great-grandfather, I will go to any lengths to protect my children.
“Many good people have been trying to get these shut down for a while now, but I’m happy to lend my assistance to this cause, to finally make that possible. They are inappropriate as they sexualise our Kiwi children.
“I now have set my sights on events planned at the Gisborne Library and Hastings Library next week.”
Torrance said she was bought up as part of the Destiny Church whānau.
“About 20 years ago me and my mum attended Destiny Church,” Torrance said.
"I grew up in the church, so I have that upbringing and I would never subscribe to the idea of telling people they shouldn’t exist - where does that come from?”
“We had 80 people registered for Rotorua, they are the ones who will miss out.
“I created this curriculum on my own and it’s about children reading and having fun.”
The online abuse has come quick and hard, Torrance said, and contained inaccuracies.
Lockett’s character, based on Erika in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, has been twisted to suit others’ agendas.
“We have been targeted online and the abuse has been terrible.
“They are publishing our names and our photos and crossing the line but being called a paedophile is about the lowest thing you can do to anyone.
“Daniel is about to move to London to work and who would want that type of accusation hanging around?
“These people talk about freedom of speech but sounds like just their type of speech is acceptable.”
in order to be old & wise, you must first be young & stupid. (I'm still working on that.)
