A Canadian elementary school hosted a pride celebration on Friday with a drag queen who performed a show in front of students from kindergarten to grade seven.
Footage from St. Matthew’s School in St. John’s, Newfoundland, was shared on social media and received backlash with many asking why children were made to participate in Pride celebrations.
The drag queen’s performance notably sparked criticism of the event.
“PRIDE, LOVE & ACCEPTANCE reigned supreme @StMattsTigers during our #PrideDay celebrations,” teacher Colin Barry wrote on Twitter, sharing photos and videos of the festivities.
The footage shows children running through a giant rainbow, followed by adults waving Pride flags.
During the performance, elementary school students sang along as the drag queen danced and lyrics from pride-inducing songs.
After the drag queen’s performance, he then mingled with students as they danced in the gymnasium,
“Is this an ad for homeschooling?” one user responded.
Another Twitter user called the show “DISGUSTING,” adding that “it’s perverse to push this on children.
One angry user, a member of the LGBTQ community, slammed the school over its decision to host the pride event.
“Hi. Gay man here,” he wrote. “This isn’t for kids. You’re doing more harm to gay men and women than good.”
Staff also posed with the drag queen while sporting rainbow-colored apparel and accessories.
Many school staff members publicly voiced support for the pride event.
Teaching and learning assistant, Cindy Warren, said it made her “Proud to be a Tiger.” A
Another teacher called it a “beautiful celebration.”
St. Matthew’s responded to the backlash by protecting its Twitter account, hiding tweets from anyone who wasn’t an “approved follower.”
READ: ‘HUGE VICTORY’: Matt Gaetz Gets “Child-Friendly” Drag Show on Military Base Canceled
