A female biker group known as the Wind Sisters stood outside of a public library in Parkhill, Ontario on Saturday to protect a family-friendly drag queen story time event from anti-LGBTQ+ protestors. The event organizers had to escort family members into the library due to dozens of protestors trying to block the entrance. Members of the women's motorbike group reportedly linked arms to prevent protestors from entering the premises. Patricia Ginn, a Wind Sisters member, said that historically, a butch like herself has always been a protector in the community. The group promotes itself as a place where young bikers can connect and ride together.
The Wind Sisters have thousands of members across Northeast America, including the US and Canada. The group's effort to protect the local drag event stemmed from their own hardships growing up without any opportunities for LGBTQ+ representation to flourish. Ginn stated that as a young tomboy, there was nowhere for her to go after she came out. She was born in a small town in Quebec, and it was a scary time for them. They hid in the closet and didn't come out to big events like this.
The Wind Sisters were joined by other members of the LGBTQ+ community in the area, including Strathroy Pride organizers and the Rainbow Optimist local group. The event was organized by Strathroy Pride, which aims to host several Pride events throughout the year, including a family dance and ice skating sessions designed to promote inclusivity for LGBTQ+ families and allies. Despite the pushback from anti-LGBTQ+ activists, Strathroy Pride continues to promote inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.