'Hate messages won't stop me - I'm changing lives'

Sab Samuel says no-one will stop them from helping children to feel confident

When Sab Samuel became the first drag queen to read children's stories to youngsters at UK libraries it sparked protests across the country.

Sab, who is better known for their stage name Aida H Dee, is used to being challenged. Growing up, they were too scared to go to school.

Sab said bullies attacked them while teachers said they "could not do anything to help".

Everything changed for Sab, they said, when they performed in drag as an evil villainess in their Bath school play at the age of 13. They stood on stage and decided to be unabashedly themselves.

At the end, they were rewarded with a standing ovation and some of their previous enemies praised their courage.

This spurred them on to launch the UK's first drag queen story time which took place in Bristol in 2017.

Now Sab tours the country performing at theatres and libraries.

"It's not just for LGBT+ kids, it's for everyone. Everyone should feel proud of who they are," they said.

Aida H Dee hopes to be the role model for kids that they never had growing up

Since beginning the tours, the shows have been marred by protests outside.

Sab said their online accounts had also been bombarded with hate mail.

Although lots of people might have been put off by the backlash, Sab said they have used it to make them stronger.

Their sold-out show at St George's in Bristol in April took place without a single protester but an event in Liverpool in May had to be cancelled after the hate messages became too much for Sab.

“It blew up and there were hundreds of hate comments," they said.

"One message threatened to cut me up into pieces and throw me into the river.

"The venue was getting very worried and I respected that."

'Background noise'

Some events go by unnoticed, while others make international news.

"It can be just one tweet that sets things off," Sab said.

"Hate messages get worse in the build-up to Pride Month and during Pride."

Days before Pride Month started, Sab was attacked while walking with their fiancée on Queen Street, in Cardiff City centre.

Police are now investigating and have urged witnesses to come forward.

"I'm going to carry on doing my show, the rest is all just background noise," said Sab, who has also written and published three children's books.

"I'm being the role model that I wish I had when I was growing up. I'm showing people it's okay to be who you are."

Sab also tries to raise awareness about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition they struggled with at school.

Parents will sometimes ask Sab to talk to their children if they have ADHD.

"I like to celebrate it," Sab said. "It's something that makes them special and unique."

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