“Drag Kids” Protest

09/01/2019

There will be a "Drag Kids" protest in front of CBC's Toronto headquarters on Labour Day Monday, September 2nd - the day before school starts, from 12:30 to 2:00 PM. Location: 250 Front St. W., Toronto.

In spite of all our concerns over CBC's promotion and glamorization of the use of children as homo-erotic sex objects, there has been no investigation or formal review of "Drag Kids" thus far. There has been no genuine apology or retraction. Just "passing the buck" and platitudes.

In fact, "Drag Kids" continues to be publicly available on the CBC Docs POV web site, along with one-sided articles that seek to convince people that child drag is perfectly healthy and normal.

CBC Ombudsman, Jack Nagler, who is supposed to provide oversight and accountability, has really done nothing at all. Here are some of the responses he has offered us: "In terms of the journalism (which is my mandate), Drag Kids adheres to CBC standards." "I have shared your email with the programmers responsible." "Regarding the upcoming broadcast of the Drag Kids documentary on CBC Docs POV, there are almost no circumstances in which I would intervene before the air date."

CBC Senior Director, Sandra Kleinfeld, who is responsible for airing "Drag Kids", claims that "Drag Kids" is "suitable viewing for all ages."

This is outrageous!

I believe nothing short of a public demonstration will draw attention to the need for an investigation - and perhaps even criminal charges against CBC.

Our children are worth defending.

You can indicate your interest in attending this protest here:

Sincerely Yours,

David Cooke and the Entire CitizenGO Team

P.S. Here is a sample e-mail you can send to the person responsible for airing "Drag Kids" on Canada's national broadcaster...

To: Sandra Kleinfeld,skleinfeld@cbc.ca, Senior Director, Documentary, CBC English Services

Re: "Drag Kids"

Dear Ms. Kleinfeld,

"Sexualization"has been defined "as occurring when a person's value comes only from his/her sexual appeal or behaviour, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and when a person is sexually objectified, e.g., made into a thing for another's sexual use." (See: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2007/02/sexualization).

The above is an apt description of the children featured in "Drag Kids," who perform for the erotic pleasure and approval of adults.

Studies have shown that early sexualization has been linked to the following:

poorer cognitive performance (Gapinski, Brownell, & LaFrance, 2003).
eating disorders (Lucas, Beard, O-Fallon, & Kurland, 1991)
low self-esteem (Tolman, Impett, Tracy, & Michael, 2006)
depression (Harrison & Fredrickson, 2003).

A recent study focuses on the effect of sexualized images on math performance of children eight to ten years old. See:

A recent book explores "the extent to which the premature introduction of sexuality into their lives can place them at risk of unwanted attention." See:

Finally, convicted paedophile and paedophile rights activist Tom O'Carroll, who campaigned for sex with children to be legalised, argues in favour of child drag queens:

"Let's face it, when a pretty young boy tells the world he is gay and dances sensuously in front of grown men, wearing vampish dresses and makeup; when 'she' strips off items of clothing or goes on stage scantily clad right from the off; when dollar bills are accepted as 'tips' from an audience apparently wild with excitement; when all this is going on we are getting far more than just a celebration of gender diversity or an innocent display of precocious performance talent... [B]eing a drag queen, or a drag princess if you will, puts it right out there, in the open for all to see. It says, loud and proud, 'I am a sexy kid, with sexy feelings. It's totally cool for grown-ups to get turned on by me." See:

However, CBC's educational mandate is "...to create shows that are not only age-appropriate, but also actively promote healthy child development in all areas - cognitive, social, creative, emotional and physical."

Could you please explain in detail how promoting early sexualization and objectification of children, which is linked to poorer cognitive performance, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression, promotes "healthy child development"?

Could you please also explain how placing children "at risk of unwanted attention" and finding favour with those who would sexually exploit children promotes "healthy child development"?

If you are unable to offer an explanation, then what steps will you take to redress the wrongs that you are committing against Canadian children?

As a Canadian citizen who pays taxes that support the CBC, I look forward to your response. As one who regards children as people to be treasured rather than things to be used, I am eager to hear back from you.

Sincerely Yours