A drag queen who was looking forward to reading for children in Leeds had their event cancelled after it attracted "homophobic abuse" and a string of "hateful'" comments online.
The BBC reports how Leeds City Council was promoting the Drag Queen Story Hour UK's virtual event for children online but ended up cancelling it after it stirred up a negative reaction.
Sab Samuel who performs in drag as Aida H Dee, was planning on running the reading hour on a live stream on the Leeds Libraries' Facebook page, but said the abuse that ensued was both "transphobic and homophobic."
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said they had to remove the event because it "received a number of concerns".
But drag queen Sab Samuel described how a "massive toxic soup of hate" led to him being "crucified" online and even called a "paedophile."
The performer told the BBC that some of the comments branded them "misogynistic and a paedophile" and they was accused of "sexually objectifying children".
The Drag Queen described how they were left "shaken and upset" by the awful comments and felt for how the LGBT community of Leeds must feel.
The performer also claims that they have been in touch with the police after having private details and their address posted online.
Sab is "disappointed" by the way the situation was handled by Leed Council and says they would like to have a discussion with them about why they chose to remove the event.
Leeds City Council said: "As it was being hosted in a new, online format and because these concerns were expressed shortly before it was due to take place, the decision was made to cancel this event so the service has the opportunity to properly consider the concerns which have been raised.
"Our libraries remain fully committed to hosting a programme of diverse and inclusive events and we will continue to discuss how best to do this alongside our visitors, guests and communities."
