Ontario court rules that labeling drag performers GROOMERS amounts to defamation – even though they're obviously sexualizing children and exposing them to the LGBT community

By lauraharris // 2023-12-22

Mastodon

Parler

Gab

Copy

An Ontario court has ruled that calling drag performers "groomers" is defamatory and does not fall under protected speech. In response to the Rainbow Alliance Dryden (RAD) et al v. Webster case, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled on Dec. 14 that calling drag performers "groomers" or other names is not protected under the province's anti-SLAPP (strategic litigation against public participation) laws. "It is reasonable to conclude that the suggestion that … drag performers are 'groomers,' merely because of their sexual or performance identity, is defamatory," ruled Superior Court Judge Tracey Nieckarz. The case stemmed from local blogger Brian Webster accusing a local drag king and the RAD at large of sexualizing children to recruit them into the LGBT community. He backed up his claims with screenshots of a CBC News report from September 2022 about drag events being held in the city of Dryden and the surrounding areas. "Ask yourself why these people need to perform for children? Groomers. That's the agenda," wrote Webster. "Just look at the face of the one child in the photo; [it] tells you all you need to know." The drag king then sued Webster for defamation, with the support of the RAD and the LGBT group Egale Canada. They argued that the local blogger's post led to a wave of "hateful" public comments. Meanwhile, Webster attempted to dismiss the case using the anti-SLAPP rule that seeks to block complaints "intended to silence critics who speak out on matters of public interest by burdening them with the cost of a legal proceeding." He continued that his Facebook post was protected speech. Unfortunately, Nieckarz ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. She stated that Webster's expression was not in the public interest, subsequently ruling that his comments were defamatory and could harm the reputation of drag performers. "The defendant's comments went well beyond that, perpetuating hurtful myths and stereotypes about vulnerable members of our society. Webster's argument that he was accusing the CBC [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation] of grooming has no merit based on a plain reading of the post."

Several U.S. states back DRAG BANS

The dismissal of Webster's anti-SLAPP motion now allows the plaintiffs to proceed with the defamation lawsuit, LifeSiteNews pointed out. This precedent could potentially make the use of offensive terms to describe men who dress as women or vice versa in Canada illegal. But this isn't the case over at the U.S., where each state has backed drag bans. Their respective lawmakers have passed anti-drag legislation to protect societal values and shield children from drag performers. Proponents of the bills contend that they are not targeting the LGBTQ+ community, but rather seeking to establish boundaries on public performances – particularly those involving drag shows that some believe may not be suitable for all audiences. For instance, Alabama recently filed legislation to prohibit drag performances in public places where children are present. Similar efforts are underway in states like Arizona, Kansas and Tennessee, where lawmakers have taken steps to regulate drag shows, strip clubs and other adult-oriented performances. In Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed anti-LGBTQ legislation, including a measure to protect children from sexually explicit adult performances. In Kentucky, for example, a bill that would have outlawed drag shows within 1,000 feet of schools, parks or walking trails was proposed to safeguard children from "adult-oriented performances." Follow Groomers.news for more news about the indoctrination of young children with LGBTQIA ideologies. Watch this clip from "The HighWire" where Del Bigtree and Jefferey Jaxen discuss how the trans movement has gone too far. This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com.

CITIZENS NEWS

Several U.S. states back DRAG BANS

More related stories: