According to Hastings District Council (HDC), councillors, library staff and council customer service had received a large number of messages falsely accusing the events of being a platform for the sexual grooming of young people.
Threatening notes were also targeted at performers Sunita Torrance and Daniel Lockett, and a risk assessment was undertaken, which informed the decision to cancel.
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she was deeply disappointed to be forced into the position of cancelling the event.
“We had every intention of standing up to this intimidation and going ahead, but unfortunately the potential for there to be possibly aggressive protests outside the library is something we can’t subject our children and the rest of the community to,” she said.
“We have a responsibility to keep people safe at our facilities, and the escalation of hateful and bigoted rhetoric around this event, coupled with the huge costs and the strain on resources to bring in security to ensure people’s safety, means we are in a position this year that we can’t guarantee attendees’, staff and the performers’ safety.”
She hoped to hold the event at a later date.
“We look forward to holding this event again in the future.”
Hastings Library hosted similar events previously in 2020 and 2022 when they proved popular with children and their parents.
According to HDC, the shows contained no sexual content, were age-appropriate and designed to be entertaining and fun.
They also noted it was a parent’s choice whether their children attend, and the programme was to take place in an upstairs section of the library away from the general public library area.
Messages in support of the event have also been received from members of the public, including some of the Rainbow community.
Councillor Wendy Schollum, who has attended Rainbow Storytime events with her young children in the past, said Hastings prided itself on being a welcoming, inclusive community.
“To have a small segment of our community twist the intention of this event to peddle another agenda and shut it down is very hard to stomach, and I wish to express my sympathy to our Rainbow community and supporters, and the performers, that we have been forced into this position.
“Our libraries are places that cater for all views and values – not everyone will agree with all the programmes that are run but that’s part of being in a society that embraces and reflects our people and all their differences.”
Hawke’s Bay-based enterprise Nevertheless Trust will go ahead with its Hastings LGBTQIA+/Rainbow+ Communities “Love and Peace Action” gathering near the library, and has the support of Ngati Kahungunu iwi.
The trust has been hosting Manioro, a gathering of people to deliver educational and creative workshops for whānau and communities while increasing the visibility of Māori and Pasifika Rainbow+ people through storytelling, cultural performances and panel discussions. Manioro is about disrupting toxic narratives and challenging unhealthy stereotypes surrounding our communities.
Organisers Shaq and Maia say they are “making a stand against discrimination, bullying, violence and hatred towards our rainbow plus and LGBTQIA plus communities here in Hastings”.
“This is being done by way of a peaceful presence,” they said.
