Juno News - Drag queens don’t belong in the classroom (feat. Eric Duhaime)

00:00:00.000 Drag queen story hours have become popular in progressive and LGBTQ circles in the last few years, and several public institutions, including libraries and schools, have hosted these events.

00:00:16.060 And while rightly controversial, the radical left and their allies in the legacy media have worked hard to create a narrative in Canada that anyone who opposes these activities is a hateful, homophobic, and transphobic bigot, allowing them to have complete control of the conversation.

00:00:37.340 However, this has not been the case in Quebec, with Conservative Party leader Eric Duhem, who is the first openly gay Conservative leader in Canada, coming out against these events being held in schools, paycares, and libraries, saying taxpayers should not be funding drag shows for kids.

00:00:57.640 And unlike in the rest of Canada, where American wokeism and cancel culture has been dominating, Quebec has actually been able to have a good, nuanced discussion about the issue, with several prominent media figures coming out against drag queen story hours.

00:01:14.240 Amidst all of this, I wanted to speak to Duhem about the issue.

00:01:18.160 Eric, thank you so much for joining me today.

00:01:20.800 It's always a pleasure.

00:01:21.600 So you are one of the, if not the only, Conservative politician in Canada to speak up against drag shows for kids being held in schools, daycares, and libraries.

00:01:34.720 Why is this an issue that you feel is important to speak up on?

00:01:39.480 Well, I didn't plan to come out, you know, on that issue, actually.

00:01:43.460 What happened is that there was a unanimous motion adopted by the National Assembly, proposed by Quebec Solidaire, the radical left party, saying that, you know, the first part was okay, was saying that we shouldn't discriminate and we should be open-minded towards drag queens, which I agree with.

00:02:01.180 The second part talked about, and those are the three words that make me, you know, lose trust in that motion.

00:02:08.300 And they say that we need to expose our kids, expose our kids to drag queens so Quebec could show that we are a model worldwide in terms of tolerance and diversity and blah, blah, blah.

00:02:19.220 I'm sorry, but it's not the role of the state to expose our kids to drag queens. 1.00

00:02:24.740 I mean, it has nothing to do with the state.

00:02:26.440 First off, drag queens are not a gender. 1.00

00:02:28.680 That's the first thing that we need to underline.

00:02:31.520 It has nothing to do with your sexual orientation or the fact that you're a transsexual or not. 0.81

00:02:36.080 It's people wearing a costume for shows and cabarets at the end of the evening in front of adults.

00:02:42.900 This is what drag queens are all about. 1.00

00:02:45.040 So that's the first part that I disagreed with because they mixed gender and drag queens. 1.00

00:02:50.120 So I thought that since there is a unanimous motion adopted by the National Assembly, I thought it was very important to come out and say, look, there is issues here.

00:02:58.860 There's problems.

00:02:59.800 This is not fair.

00:03:00.720 And also, I felt that there's no unanimity, unanimous consent on such issues.

00:03:06.080 I mean, saying that we are unanimous in Quebec is completely false.

00:03:09.260 We are split like everywhere else in the world or in North America.

00:03:13.460 And Quebecers are no different. 0.98

00:03:14.900 It's just that our National Assembly is misrepresenting our own reality.

00:03:20.200 So that's why I came out and I said what I had to say.

00:03:24.380 The other thing, the other part is the fact that it's funded by the state.

00:03:29.160 I don't believe that, you know, your tax dollars should be used for men wearing women costumes and it being a caricature of women should be sent in school to read stories about gender theory because this is all what it's about. 0.71

00:03:44.000 And it's not just the fact that they're wearing a costume.

00:03:46.660 It's the fact that there is a political agenda behind that.

00:03:50.020 And, you know, the school and the kindergartens and the public libraries are supposed to be neutral places where you're not supposed to promote any kind of political propaganda.

00:03:59.680 So that's the other issue we had with it.

00:04:02.860 And the third one is that when drag queens are invited to read gender theory stories to their kids, as Barbada, the most well-known drag queen said, you know, you're talking about an adult discussion with words of kids.

00:04:18.680 That's what she was.

00:04:19.420 She said that's how she described what she's doing in public libraries.

00:04:23.300 Well, if that's happening, at least, at least you need the consent of the parents.

00:04:29.200 That's non-negotiable.

00:04:30.660 Like, there's no way parents should learn.

00:04:32.840 Like, it's happening right now in Quebec that their kid was exposed to drag queens. 0.77

00:04:37.500 It starts at five, six years old.

00:04:39.740 We're talking about kindergartens.

00:04:41.700 And they bring back that home and they start asking questions, weird questions to their parents.

00:04:47.700 I mean, it's the parents' decision to what kind of moral values you want to promote to your kid, including diversity and inclusiveness.

00:04:57.220 So that's why I had to come out, even as, you know, I'm openly gay.

00:05:02.100 I think I'm the only conservative leader that is openly gay in Canada's history.

00:05:06.580 And because I'm gay, it's probably easier for me to talk about those issues because, unfortunately, that's the problem with all, you know, woke people.

00:05:16.040 They're always trying to tag you.

00:05:17.760 And as soon as, instead of having a debate and bringing arguments, they like to say, oh, you're homophobic, you're transphobic, you're whatever.

00:05:25.240 You're always on the bad side.

00:05:26.820 And they're trying to paint you and to describe you in a very pejorative way instead of arguing on the fundamentals.

00:05:34.480 Right, for sure.

00:05:35.340 And I do think that the fact that you are the first openly gay conservative leader does shield you from the really divisive rhetoric from this radical left.

00:05:45.320 And when I came out against that also, the other thing I did, I did a live.

00:05:49.400 Every Tuesday night, I do lives with guesses.

00:05:53.320 And I invited that week the most well-known transgender in Quebec, Michelle Blanc, who's also against it and who's a former Parti Québécois candidate. 0.98

00:06:01.980 Like, she's not conservative, but she's against woke.

00:06:06.340 And she came out and she was with me and we both discussed about that.

00:06:11.260 And because she's a transgender, because I'm gay, it was much easier. 0.84

00:06:14.380 They cannot tag us as easily as they can.

00:06:16.880 But even though they tried, I mean, they told us to shut up.

00:06:20.020 I mean, the commentators were very aggressive towards us and they didn't want to debate about the fundamentals.

00:06:27.700 But slowly but surely, we're moving the window.

00:06:30.280 And the Overton window, I think now we're able to have a discussion in Quebec.

00:06:34.600 It took a week or two to talk about those issues.

00:06:37.640 And now, slowly but surely, the window's moving.

00:06:41.560 Yeah, I guess in relation to that, we've definitely seen a lot of reaction to your statement and to your petition.

00:06:49.680 But what are you hearing personally, especially from parents?

00:06:53.240 What are they telling you and what are the people signing your petition telling you?

00:06:56.400 Well, there's over 40,000 people in a few days that signed the petition at ericdubem.quebec.

00:07:04.480 And I invite everybody who wants to sign the petition to go and do so.

00:07:09.220 You know, what we hear is that parents at least want to know.

00:07:12.540 Like, I think that's a general concept.

00:07:14.420 There's a huge majority of parents who want to know.

00:07:16.460 And a lot of parents tell me, you know, I have two, three kids.

00:07:20.040 And I didn't expose them to those kind of ideas at the same age.

00:07:24.780 I mean, there's a process.

00:07:26.700 And those drag queens, they're not necessarily trained to do that. 1.00

00:07:30.240 I mean, we're not talking about people who have a training in psychology or to know what to do.

00:07:36.920 They used to be in bars, make jokes with adults.

00:07:40.860 So why are we doing that?

00:07:42.780 And the other thing also that came out that is surprising is how much they're paying them.

00:07:46.480 I've heard that it goes as high as $500 for 45 minutes.

00:07:50.000 I mean, you know, our education system needs money badly.

00:07:55.560 And the only thing we're thinking is to hire drag queens to go and read stories about gender theory for $500 for 45 minutes. 1.00

00:08:03.780 Is that the best idea they had for the education of our kids?

00:08:06.800 I don't think so.

00:08:07.920 So, I mean, the parents are not happy.

00:08:10.880 And they express it loud and clear.

00:08:13.180 And the fact that there's a unanimous consent also, even people who agree with drag queens, they say it's not normal.

00:08:19.400 We understand that there's diversity in Quebec.

00:08:21.820 And how come the National Assembly is always unanimous on so many issues?

00:08:26.580 There's a lack of democracy right now in Quebec.

00:08:29.040 There's a democratic distortion.

00:08:31.580 There's 13% of Quebecers who voted conservative.

00:08:34.480 And unfortunately, we have zero out of 125 members in the National Assembly.

00:08:39.640 And it shows that the democratic system has not been respected.

00:08:44.440 We have seen you influence the Legault government in the past.

00:08:49.900 And the conversation that we're seeing in the Quebec legacy media, as you stated, has kind of changed.

00:08:56.260 And there's been several prominent figures that have come out, not saying really that they agree with you, but they're saying, well, you know what, maybe parents should consent.

00:09:06.060 Or maybe we should look at whether drag queens are appropriate or not because they're caricatures of women and stuff like that. 1.00

00:09:13.180 I mean, I think this is because Quebec has an ire for wokeism because it's an American concept.

00:09:20.080 Do you think we could see Legault, whose party supported that QS motion condemning opposition to drag shows, flip-flop and come out against drag queens and schools?

00:09:31.960 They did flip-flop on the third link in Quebec City a few days ago, which was their main promise in the last election campaign.

00:09:38.780 So if they can flip-flop on that, they can flip-flop on anything.

00:09:41.960 That being said, you know, it's a government that has no ideology.

00:09:45.640 And that's the problem right now in Quebec, is that Quebec's a leader, that is a radical leftist party that only had 15% of votes, almost the same amount of votes as we did.

00:09:54.920 They're the ones running the show right now at the National Assembly because ideologically, they are driven.

00:10:00.460 Like, they know where they're going and they know how to galvanize their troops.

00:10:05.040 Unfortunately, the CAC that is leading in power, they have no clue why they're there.

00:10:10.340 Other than wanting to be in power, they have no ideology.

00:10:13.200 One day they're going on one side, the day after it's on the other side, and the third day they're flip-flopping on everything.

00:10:18.480 So it's a government without any ideology.

00:10:21.480 They're not federalists, they're not separatists, they're not left, they're not right, they're whatever.

00:10:27.700 And that's the problem.

00:10:29.160 And currently, because there's a huge vacuum in government, well, it's Quebec Solidaire that is feeding them ideologically.

00:10:35.040 And that's the huge problem right now.

00:10:36.400 We didn't elect Gabrielle Nadeau-Dubois or Quebec Solidaire, but unfortunately, the policies that we're getting right now in Quebec are very close to the Quebec Solidaire agenda.

00:10:45.060 Right.

00:10:46.700 I did want to talk about drag shows being held in more private venues like restaurants, because we've seen several videos, particularly out of the United States, of family-friendly drag events featuring sexual performances and kids giving drag queens dollar bills.

00:11:04.220 Do you believe that licensed establishments should be held to a certain standard, because we don't allow minors into adult entertainment venues like strip clubs? 0.98

00:11:15.320 Should they then not also be allowed to attend performances that are similar to what we see in those places?

00:11:23.000 I saw those videos, but I didn't see anything like that happening in Quebec.

00:11:26.800 I'm somebody who believes in private property, and I think that, you know, it always existed in Quebec for decades.

00:11:34.880 There's always been bars where adults were going for drag shows, and it always existed. 0.99

00:11:41.200 Regarding the kids, obviously, the drag queens are saying, well, we adapt the content to the kids. 0.97

00:11:46.320 And let's say we believe them.

00:11:47.800 Well, then, unless they're lying, I have no proof of that right now.

00:11:52.940 But for now, I don't think that's the issue.

00:11:55.380 The issue right now is, do you want your tax dollars to be used to hire drag queens for your kids in kindergarten, in school, or in public libraries? 0.99

00:12:05.520 And do you want the parents to give their green light before it happens?

00:12:11.380 Yes or no?

00:12:12.360 And that's the thing.

00:12:13.760 And do you think it's the role of the state to expose kids to drag queens? 0.99

00:12:17.980 That's the debate right now.

00:12:19.980 You know, the venues that you're talking about, I don't think it's happening in Quebec.

00:12:24.100 Actually, I have no knowledge that it's happening in Quebec right now.

00:12:27.640 Okay, but if it did happen in Quebec, would you then support?

00:12:30.180 Well, I mean, for now, I believe in private property, and I think that the establishments are able to behave properly as well.

00:12:37.520 And the drag queens also understand that they're not talking to adults. 1.00

00:12:40.860 So if there's no problem, I don't think we need a solution at this point of time.

00:12:45.420 Okay, and I guess that does make sense.

00:12:46.840 I mean, I did speak with Barbada last year, and they told me that they, for example, don't recommend that parents let their kids watch RuPaul's Drag Race and the type of stuff you see on TV.

00:12:57.700 So it does seem that for some of these artists, there are some standards in place.

00:13:04.240 I did want to just ask you, some of the advocates for drag shows for kids and for the teaching of gender ideology, they say that it's needed to ensure the next generation is more tolerant of others.

00:13:16.100 However, we saw last year, amid a rise in drag queen story hours and transgender ideology, LGBT acceptance decrease, especially amongst younger people.

00:13:28.380 As a gay man, are you worried that these radical activists are unintentionally reversing progress made in terms of acceptance?

00:13:36.480 I'm very worried about that.

00:13:38.440 I'm very worried, actually, because when you're pushing too much, it backfires.

00:13:42.500 And this is what could happen if the drag queens keep pushing. 1.00

00:13:47.100 Actually, even Jean-François Liset, the former Parti Québécois leader, wrote a very interesting column in Le Devois last week, saying that, you know, historically, you know, gays were not accepted, not tolerated.

00:13:58.460 There was discrimination against them.

00:14:00.640 And fortunately, there was huge progress that was made.

00:14:05.580 But now, are we flipping the other way around?

00:14:08.740 Is it going way too far?

00:14:10.840 And is it going to backfire?

00:14:12.200 And I think his questions are important and are relevant right now.

00:14:17.560 So I hope that we don't go there.

00:14:20.260 And that's why I want to make sure that the parents agree when their kids are exposed to drag queens. 1.00

00:14:25.800 That's why I want to make sure that there's no tax dollars that are used to expose kids to drag queens. 0.99

00:14:32.200 So at least the state has no role.

00:14:34.720 The state has to be neutral and respect the freedom of choice of parents.

00:14:38.760 Because ultimately, it's the parents' choice.

00:14:41.280 And I do believe that parents are smart.

00:14:43.520 I do believe that parents know better than the state, than bureaucrats and politicians, what's best for their kids.

00:14:49.940 And they know at what age and how to do it with their kids.

00:14:53.220 And it's not a one-size-fits-all.

00:14:55.340 You know, some parents see their kids and some of their kids, they start talking about, you know, sexuality at five years old.

00:15:02.320 And some others, they have to wait until they're 10 or 12 years old for all sorts of reasons.

00:15:06.700 Because they know their kids much better than we do.

00:15:09.760 Yeah, for sure.

00:15:10.900 I did want to try to move this conversation a bit to the rest of Canada, where there really hasn't been a debate.

00:15:17.020 It's kind of just been unanimous with the legacy media and the left owning the debate.

00:15:21.200 The federal government is funding a drag camp for seven-year-old kids in Vancouver.

00:15:26.920 And there's other drag initiatives being funded in other provinces.

00:15:32.860 Would you like to see other conservative leaders like Pierre Pogliev and Daniel Smith take a similar stance to yours on this issue?

00:15:41.120 Well, I wish not just politicians, parents, everyone needs to take a stand on that issue.

00:15:47.120 Because it's important.

00:15:48.320 I mean, it's your tax dollars at work.

00:15:51.420 It's not the role of the state.

00:15:53.000 I think many people agree, no matter if you like drag shows or not.

00:15:57.000 Personally, I like them.

00:15:58.320 I've been to a lot of drag shows before. 0.98

00:16:00.420 It has nothing to do against drag queens. 1.00

00:16:02.260 I'm not against drag queens. 0.95

00:16:03.600 I like drag queens. 1.00

00:16:04.660 In bars, at midnight, you know, when we're drinking alcohol, between adults.

00:16:09.060 In cabarets.

00:16:10.120 I love drag queens there. 1.00

00:16:12.120 But I'm not quite sure it's appropriate for kids of four or five years old.

00:16:15.820 And the drag school that you're talking about, I'm not quite sure that a lot of parents would like to send their kids there.

00:16:22.340 And a lot of taxpayers don't want to fund those activities.

00:16:25.860 And I think that's legitimate as well.

00:16:27.560 And we have to respect.

00:16:28.620 You know, the respect is not just to respect the diversity.

00:16:30.840 You also have to respect taxpayers and the parents in that process.

00:16:34.960 And right now, that's what I'm concerned.

00:16:36.620 We're so scared of being seen as intolerant or non-inclusive that we don't want to say, to stand up, to say parents have the freedom of choice.

00:16:45.360 And taxpayers need to make sure that what they're paying for is what they want.

00:16:49.220 And nobody's having the guts to say that right now.

00:16:51.760 And in English Canada, obviously, you know, the political correctness sometimes is even worse than in Quebec.

00:16:58.280 And I think that's why so many people are quiet right now.

00:17:02.040 But I'm quite sure if we were doing a poll, a strong majority would agree with me right now.

00:17:06.980 Right.

00:17:07.520 And there was actually a poll done in the U.S.

00:17:09.220 And the majority, not only of the normal people, but the majority of Democrats were against this issue.

00:17:15.860 So it's a small minority on Twitter of really woke militants that are in favor of introducing these concepts to children.

00:17:24.160 But if you ask the average person on the street, do you think drag shows should be for kids?

00:17:29.660 They say no.

00:17:31.000 Exactly.

00:17:31.420 And we need to respect those people as well.

00:17:33.360 They have the right to express their opinions as well.

00:17:36.220 And, you know, it's always the same problem.

00:17:38.300 The cancel culture is very present and they're pushing, pushing, pushing. 0.99

00:17:44.820 And, you know, if we keep going, it's a slippery slope.

00:17:48.200 Today, you know, five years ago, I would have tell you, you know, we're going to talk about drag queens in kindergartens.

00:17:54.600 And everybody would have laughed and say, how crazy, the left's never going to go there.

00:17:58.540 Well, today, it's the debate in Quebec and in many other places around the world.

00:18:02.320 And, you know, and what's going to happen in four or five years if we keep shutting, you know, shutting down the people who disagree?

00:18:10.740 So that's why we're concerned.

00:18:12.100 And that's why it needs to stop now.

00:18:13.780 The drag shows need to stop at taxpayers' expense and without the parents' willingness.

00:18:19.360 All right.

00:18:19.600 Well, Eric, thank you for joining me.

00:18:21.580 This was a very good and I think necessary discussion to have.

00:18:25.820 And please continue your efforts in Quebec.

00:18:29.640 Thank you very much.

00:18:30.560 It's always a pleasure, Eli.

00:18:31.880 To support True North's quality, independent journalism, visit donate.tnc.news.

00:18:39.360 For True North, I'm Elikante Nantel.

Juno News - May 12, 2023

Drag queens don’t belong in the classroom (feat. Eric Duhaime)

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