Destiny Church protesters and counter protesters from the rainbow community outside the Gisborne library in March. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A Rainbow Storytime nationwide tour planned for later in the year has been cancelled, due to threats of violence.
Taranaki-based drag Queens Erika and CoCo Flash were set to tour the country with their show aimed at children of all ages, to coincide with the Out on the Shelves rainbow reading campaign month in June.
Rainbow Storytime founder Sunita Torrance, who performs as CoCo, told RNZ she and Erika had received death threats and threats of attack.
Last month, protests by Destiny Church forced the cancellation of their Rainbow Storytime events in Hastings and Rotorua.
A Facebook post said promises of violence had also forced one of the event's stars, Erika, to relocate to the UK.
One drag performer, who RNZ has agreed not to name, said the disinformation being spread about drag performers was disheartening.
"We just want to entertain the masses.
"It's about normalising being a rainbow person, and helping any kids who might eventually discover that they are rainbow, feel safe and special, and know that they are loved."
They said it was a vocal minority speaking out against rainbow people.
