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Dear Sir,

I would like to applaud the few that have spoken about 'the professional drag queen episode'. It was an insult to us, the performers, and the spectators. Here's why:

He [Mark Anderson] was given money to help him get ready for the parade.

Many of the performers sent in letters asking Dale Butler for financial help. I was one of those performers whose letter was oddly lost. Therefore, [I received] no response from Mr. Butler.

His approach was totally wrong. He never put his request to participate in the parade properly to all performers. We have never had a 'Queen of the Gombeys'. If any lady should be given that title then it should be Mrs. Warner. There were foreigners in the parade because they are either residents or were asked to participate.

Most people will accept a person who is different from the average person but no-one will accept it when that person flaunts his/her differences to their faces. Bermudians are like that.

What kind of society would we be if the drag queen had been allowed to perform? He should be made to give back the money, which was $550. We, the performers, might boycott the parade next year if this drag queen is allowed to perform or is given financial help. He is openly stating that it is okay for our young boys to dress as girls.

I say this to him, and others like him: 'Don't flaunt your sexuality in my face in Bermuda's Annual Heritage Parade. This is a parade that I'm proud to be in'.

'Calypso Queen' Eileen Smith

Pembroke[[In-content Ad]]

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