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Marcus Hunter-Neill, better known by his drag persona Lady Portia Di’Monte, has spoken out after discovering that his image had been circulated on websites associated with so-called paedophile hunters. The incident arose following a children’s storytelling event where Lady Portia performed, which subsequently became the focus of significant controversy and protest. Hunter-Neill revealed that the backlash and harassment he endured left him fearing for his safety and profoundly affected his well-being.
The contentious event took place in August 2025 during the Eastside Arts Festival at Holywood Arches Library in east Belfast. Lady Portia, alongside another drag queen, hosted a Drag Queen Storytime session with British Sign Language interpretation. Despite the event running for ten consecutive years without issue, it attracted protesters this time, leading to police escorting the performers out of the venue. Footage from the protest was broadcast by TalkTV, which also aired what has since been admitted to be an unfounded allegation against Hunter-Neill. Following the broadcast, TalkTV issued an apology, retracted their claims, and paid substantial damages to Hunter-Neill.
Reflecting on the experience, Hunter-Neill described the emotional and psychological toll it had on him. He recounted the surreal feeling of being taken home by police after the event, an experience he likened to living in a “parallel universe.” Despite having friendly interactions with locals on the way to the event, the hostile environment afterward left him unable to speak or remember basic details in a state of fight-or-flight. Hunter-Neill also highlighted that the event was innocent in nature, involving reading storybooks, playing a simple game of Simon Says, and teaching children basic sign language greetings.
The episode coincided with a difficult period in Hunter-Neill’s personal life, as his father Billy, a former prison officer at Maze Prison during the Troubles, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly before the controversy escalated. Billy passed away later in December, with Hunter-Neill sharing that their last meaningful conversation was about the incident. The dispute surrounding the storytelling event sparked wider public debate regarding the suitability of drag performances in public libraries and the inclusivity of such spaces. While some viewed drag as inappropriate for children, Hunter-Neill emphasized the importance of normalizing difference to foster understanding and reduce fear. Meanwhile, in response to the political controversy, the actors’ union Equity announced plans to campaign against what it sees as political interference in the arts, following critical remarks by a government minister about the event
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