'Hateful people' won't impact plans of drag performers after attack during Jazz Festival

Lucina Schynning was one of two drag queens assaulted on Sunday night. File picture

Drag performers who were assaulted on a busy street in Cork City over the Jazz Festival weekend say the actions of “small-minded, hateful people” will not impact an upcoming event.

Drag queens Lucina Schynning and Krystal Queer were on Oliver Plunkett St on Sunday night, filming a video for social media to promote a drag event this week, when the incident occurred.

In a video that has since been viewed 500,000 times across social media, the two performers can be seen being kicked from behind by a passer-by as they faced the camera while a friend filmed.

In the video, cheers can be heard from others on the street as the passer-by then runs away.

Second incident

A further altercation then took place off camera with a separate group, during which Krystal Queer was struck across the face with a phone.

“No one intervened, but everyone on the street acknowledged it,” Krystal told the Irish Examiner.

“At least five or six people pulled out phones and started filming. The most sickening part was that the initial reaction [from onlookers] was met with positivity; There were laughs, there was cheers. There was flashes going off.”

“I’m ok, I'm a bit swollen, bit bruised and I have a bit of a fat lip. It's nothing serious so I’m lucky it’ll be gone in a few weeks.

Honestly, the most harrowing part was the emotion that came afterwards. Altercations aren’t unknown to us but it's never gotten that physical before. 

“We’ve been touched or groped, and that’s probably what we would have said was the worst thing that has happened to us but to actually be physically assaulted, and be in pain and to have an injury is a different story for us.” 

Wave of support online

Lucina Schynning said the reaction online has been “overwhelming positive”.

“It was all really validating because we were feeling very down on themselves after this happened.”

“We know that, yes, this was one quite extreme incident but it's not the first time that I’ve been hit on the street in drag. 

"All the queer people, supporting us have been leaving us messages to say “I’m so familiar with how this feels’.” 

“It wasn’t just a one and done crazy, strange experience. It happens to queer people regularly.”

'Grateful' for reaction of gardaí 

When making a statement to gardaí, they felt the incident was taken seriously and that they were treated with respect. 

Lucina said: "When we went to make our statement, you never know what people’s personal opinions of drag or blatant queerness might be but we were very grateful for the way we were spoken to.”

The pair have been left anxious following the altercation, and they fear similar attacks targeting other drag performers.

They are pressing ahead with their upcoming event later this week.

Lucina said: “Pride has always been a protest to our community and that’s what we’re doing by putting on our show still. We’re standing up and saying we’re not going to be repressed, we’re not going to be dehumanised, we’re going to keep doing our thing.”

Krystal added: “We of course have anxieties about it but I think now more so than ever it's extremely important to show we’re not going to let small-minded, hateful people take away the joy and positivity that we can bring to our community.

We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing, we're going to keep pushing through and continue to put on a fierce show.

We will take every precaution to make sure we can do that safely and in a celebratory fashion.”

A spokesman confirmed that gardaí responded to an incident of assault, occurring at approximately 12.30am on Sunday, October 26, on Oliver Plunkett St in Cork City.

“A man aged in his 20s received non-life-threatening injuries as a result of this incident,” the spokesman said. “Investigations are ongoing at this time.” 

“Nobody should be assaulted on the streets of Cork,” Cork South Central Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice told the Irish Examiner.

"We need new strategies that focus on reducing street violence, creating safer public spaces, and protecting minority groups from attacks.

“I hope the gardaí fully investigate this case and pursue the men responsible.”