The National Arts Centre (NAC) asked Twitter users to respectfully discuss its drag performer story hour and remember any hate speech will not be tolerated. .“Comments that violate our community guidelines, or are unrelated to this post will be removed,” said the NAC in a Monday tweet. .The NAC announced Saturday it would be holding a drag story time on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Ottawa drag performers China Doll and Cyril Cinder and band Monkey Rock Music. .The event will take place in partnership with Capital Pride. .A special guest appearance will be made by Ottawa mascots the Winterlude Ice Hogs. .Fox News producer Gregg Re said it was wrong for the NAC to hold a drag story hour. .“Dudes dressed as women should not twerk in front of children,” said Re. .Quillette associate editor Jonathan Kay mocked the NAC for vowing to remove negative tweets. .“Can somebody tell these Canadian Crown corporations they don't have the technological capability to ‘remove’ tweets?” said Kay. .The NAC decided on January 30 it would be giving up on its plan to hold a racially-segregated show restricted for black people February 17. .READ MORE: Ottawa theatre cancels racially-segregated show for black people.“A new press release, issued today, indicates a new policy by which people of all races are ‘welcome at all our shows,’” said Kay. .The NAC said it is “committed to shape a more diverse and equitable future for the performing arts in Canada, creating a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone, and strengthening relationships with historically under-served artists and audiences.”
