The emails were dashed off, with the agitated posts on social media garnering hundreds of likes. Protests were promised. Supporters mobilized.

But by the time the drag storytime event for children at the Beverly branch library rolled around Tuesday, the scene looked more like a dance party for families than a volatile clash.

Bubbles floated through the air while drag storytime supporters draped in pride flags cheered on families as they entered the library. Dozens of supporters danced to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” easily drowning out the handful of people who showed up to protest.

“We are seeing that the right wing are not showing up in the way that they are saying,” said Asher McMaher, executive director of Trans Up Front IL and an organizer of the counterprotest. “By the time more people

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