Montreal Saint-Laurent borough gives drag queen storytime green light weeks after nixing event

Following weeks of controversy aftercancellinga drag queen storytime eventfor children, Montreal's Saint-Laurent borough reversed its decision and announced theevent hosted by drag queenBarbada DeBarbades will go ahead as scheduled.

In a statement Monday evening,the administration said the borough council met with Sbastien Potvin, who performs as Barbada. The councilconfirmed that her story hour will be held as planned in Novemberat two local libraries.

"We're pleased to have had the opportunity to get together withBarbadafor a discussion that was enriching for everyone," said Saint-Laurent borough Mayor Alan DeSousain the statement.

"Saint-Laurent Council will always encourage and respect all forms of art and creativity," he said.

The announcement coincides with the start of Pride Week in Montreal.

The borough had initially pulled the plug on the event after the city of Dorval received complaints when it scheduled an event featuringBarbadain June.

Last month, DeSousaalso said council had concerns about potentially sensitive subjects that would be discussed at Barbada's storytime event. He had said he and other elected officials would meet with Barbada to ask about the content of her performance.

The invitation to meetcame the dayafter anonline petitionwas launched demanding the story hour be reinstated.

In the same statement from theborough Monday,Barbada said she's "delighted" to be able to offer storytime in Saint-Laurent this fall.

"I have been leading the storytime activity since 2016 and it has proven its worth," she said.Barbada said the main objective is to give children a taste for reading while alsodiscovering their differences.

When Barbada first found out that her event had been cancelled, she said she was surprised as she stars in a kids' TV show. But she'dbeen confident thatborough councillors would allow the event to go ahead,once they realized it is age-appropriate with a positive message.

She said she is "happy to have had the opportunity to talk to Saint-Laurent Council freely and with mutual respect."

"It's important to answer questions in order to avoid any and all misunderstandings," she said.

The story hour will take place Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bibliothque du Vieux-Saint-Laurentand at 2 p.m. at the Bibliothque du Bois.