As part of the festivities surrounding World Pride and the Sydney Mardi Gras 2023, Manly Public Library in Sydney’s Northern Beaches organised a private event for families to attend with a popular drag artist providing child-orientated entertainment. Although Charisma Belle is a well known drag performer for more than a decade, their presence was unfortunately marred with protestors and counter-protestors. Armed police stood outside the library as people massed outside. In all, only a dozen or so people were there to protest the event, while a hundred some people had gathered in support.
February 25th, 2023.