Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 self-proclaimed 害羞草研究所淨ueen of Controversy害羞草研究所� was given the award of Most Courageous Queen at the Quesnel Pride celebration, in recognition of the harassment that they have faced over the past year.

Drag Queen Freida Whales surged in popularity outside of the drag scene after a small, but vocal group of people objected to their 2022 Canada Day main stage performance in Kelowna. Social media posts circulated online, calling for Whales害羞草研究所� show to be cancelled, alleging that their flamboyant show is harmful to children. Whales said that July 1 will mark their 1 year 害羞草研究所榟arass-iversary害羞草研究所�

Then, Whales made a larger splash in January 2023, after their drag story-time event at the Okanagan Regional Library became the topic of heated online debate.

The event, where Whales read a children害羞草研究所檚 book and led songs to a room full of families, was protested and an online petition was circulated to have it cancelled.

In March 2023, an anonymous person in alleging that Whales is a bad influence on children and should not be allowed to attend Pride Day celebrations in June, where Whales was scheduled to perform at an adults-only event.

Whales continues to receive online harassment and hate, again from a small, but vocal group of people.

Then in May 2023, Whales decided to 害羞草研究所渕ake lemonade out of very, very sour lemons,害羞草研究所� and used their newfound online popularity to raise money for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in the Okanagan.

Whales created a 害羞草研究所楺ueen of Controversy害羞草研究所� pin-on button and donates all proceeds to This Space Belongs to You, which is a mental health service that provides safe, inclusive and anti-oppressive spaces and resources, including counselling, for youth in the Okanagan.

害羞草研究所淚 decided to turn their anger and hate into love,害羞草研究所� said Whales.

READ MORE: Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Drag Queen of Controversy turns hate into funding for queer youth

At the Pride celebration in Quesnel, Whales was shocked when they were called onto the stage for an unexpected award. In front of a cheering crowd, Whales was given the trophy for Most Courageous Queen.

害羞草研究所淚t filled by Pride bucket for the year,害羞草研究所� said Whales.

害羞草研究所淚 sometimes don害羞草研究所檛 see or forget that while I害羞草研究所檓 having so much fun, that I am making a difference in some people害羞草研究所檚 lives.害羞草研究所�

Whales said that the boost of positivity and love will carry them for another year of performances and activism.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 definitely not stopping anytime soon害羞草研究所� They害羞草研究所檙e still not done attacking me.害羞草研究所�

A list of future events being hosted by Whales, including a drag workshop for youth, is available at

READ MORE: 害羞草研究所榊ou are loved害羞草研究所�: Kelowna celebrates gender diverse people during Pride Trans March

Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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