Black Press Media is taking a look back at the top stories from the past year. These are the top stories of each month that our audience engaged with the most and were important to the community.
Approximately 400 people gathered at the Okanagan Regional Library on Jan. 28, for a Drag storytime event.
More than 250 people dressed up to show their support for the colourful event and approximately 20 people held signs opposing the story time.
The story time event, led by drag queen Freida Whales, was well attended with more than 100 people of all ages inside the library.
Drag story time events are intended to be a fun and age-appropriate way to promote a love of reading in a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for all people.
Ahead of the event, a petition circulated online condemning the story time. In a response, Whales welcomed all people to come out and attend the story time.
鈥淚t is about inclusivity (sic) and understanding, and the stories I plan on reading are based on just being yourself and the acceptance around that.鈥�
The event remained peaceful with many police stationed at the event, both inside and outside the library and future story times have been planned for 2024 across the Okanagan Valley.
