We were asked to comment on this story featured in the Telegraph about the “Drag Con” event offering tickets to very young children. We strongly condemn any event which normalises the sexualisation of children. Inclusion must never be at the cost of safeguarding.
An “after hours” drag show featuring the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race is offering free tickets to children under eight.
The events, starting at 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday, feature singing, dancing and lip-syncing performances by a variety of drag queens from the popular television series.
The shows are part of RuPaul’s Drag Con 2023, which opened at London’s ExCeL centre on Friday, with 160 drag queens from around the world on the billing.
Campaigners said the revelations were “shocking” and raised “serious concerns” about the safeguarding and sexualisation of children.
Piers Shepherd, the senior researcher at the Family Education Trust, said: “Drag shows are highly sexualised performances for adults only and therefore do not constitute suitable entertainment for school-age children.
“It is shocking that children under the age of eight will be given free tickets to this performance. This raises serious concerns about safeguarding and the sexualisation of children.”
The convention’s website offers specific advice to guests bringing small children, telling them to “set a meeting point in case you get lost”. It also claimed that “DragCon is an all-ages, family friendly event” where “all are welcome”.
Under-eights get free entry to the evening shows if they are accompanied by an adult who buys tickets for both the evening and day events.
Day tickets range in price, from £60 for one day’s standard admission to £300 for VIP entry to all three days. The evening shows are £50 a night or £75 for both.
Daytime guests are treated to DJ sets by RuPaul himself, make-up tutorials and interview panels with the show’s stars.
The two evening performances are based on a spin-off series of the show, where drag artists compete to be crowned the winner.
Friday’s event focused on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World and featured popular drag queens Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea and Cheryl Hole.
Saturday’s show will feature drag queens who have won any of the franchise’s different series from around the world, including the original US version and its British, Italian, Dutch and Canadian successors.
RuPaul’s Drag Con 2023 was approached for comment.
‘After hours’ drag show offers free tickets to children under eight (telegraph.co.uk)