ABBA Leader Denies Intimidating Children At ŻiguŻajg Gender Fluidity Play, Says Witnesses Ready To Back Him Up
Ivan Grech Mintoff, leader of the political party ABBA, has denied claims by an ADPD candidate that members of his party had intimidated children who attended a recent ŻiguŻajg play about gender fluidity.
Grech Mintoff told Lovin Malta that the claims made by ADPD are absolutely untrue, that he has witnesses to back him up, and that he welcomes any investigation by the police and the Children’s Commissioner.
“We paid for the ticket like everyone else and attended the performance like everyone else, without asking any questions or speaking to children,” Grech Mintoff said. “We sat at the very back of the room in a corner and didn’t interfere with anything.”
ADPD candidate Mina Tolu said that they attended the ‘Gender Boss’ play at Spazju Kreattiv on 18th March and was “shocked” to be welcomed by a security guard who was stationed at the entrance to the studio.
“After the play and creative workshop I spoke to the team at Spazju Kreattiv, and asked them about the presence of security. They claimed it was necessary due to the presence at prior showings of members of Partit Abba, who also recorded the play and workshop and asked questions to the children present.”
Tolu reported this alleged incident to Children’s Commissioner Antoinette Vassallo, who referred it to the police.
However, Grech Mintoff insisted this was absolutely not the case and claimed Tolu just wanted to deviate attention from how much of a “massive flop” the show turned out to be.
“I have witnesses willing to testify that I didn’t speak to a single child and you can ask Minister Owen Bonnici, who shook my hand, how I behaved during the performance. The security guard was there when we walked in, there was absolutely no aggression and I very much doubt they even knew who I was.”
The play, targeted at 8-10-year-olds, explores the idea of gender fluidity by encouraging the audience to imagine a world where they can be whoever they want to be. It features two actors playing a tooth fairy and a bogeyman who are uncomfortable with their social roles and who are transported to a land where they can be their true selves.
Although the performance was very light and playful, with barely any reference to gender at all, Grech Mintoff said it was still unacceptable and urged the Children’s Commissioner to investigate it.
Cover photo: Left: ADPD candidate Mina Tolu, Right: ABBA leader Ivan Grech Mintoff
Did you or your children watch Gender Boss?
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