Blue city libraries hosting drag story hours in June

Public libraries in blue cities nationwide plan to host drag queen story hours in June to commemorate Pride Month.

Boston Public Library will host 10 of these events at different branches throughout June.

Meanwhile, the public library in Lafayette, a Colorado city of 30,000 about 20 miles north of Denver, will host “Drag Queen Storytime” at 11 a.m. June 14.

Additionally, West Hollywood’s public library in California hosts such story hours bimonthly throughout the year, including one in June.

“It’s just what it sounds like!” the Drag Story Hour website says. “Storytellers using the art of drag to read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves!”

Massachusetts Family Institute research director Jessica Richardson takes issue with the organization’s aims of introducing young children to “queer role models” and capturing the so-called “gender fluidity of childhood.” 

“This is not conjecture, it’s straight from their official website! In addition to upending a child’s innate sense of male and female by presenting them with the jarring sight of a grown man in a dress, makeup, heels and wig, the books chosen by the drag queens who read at these story hours often contain messages that promote a progressive sexual agenda,” Richardson told NewBostonPost. 

“At DQSH, books are read that introduce alternative sexualities, normalize gender confusion, and glorify drag itself, which is an adult sexual performance,” she added. “Sexual performers should not be reading to children, and parents should not bring their children to these events.” 

At a June 2021 Drag Queen Story Hour at Plymouth Public Library in Massachusetts, drag performers Just JP and Nuqueer read books promoting pro-LGBT themes. 

Just JP wore a dress and makeup, while Nuqueer presented as a woman with a mustache and blue wig. The books included Neither, Red: A Crayon’s Story, Julian Is a Mermaid and Be Who You Are. These books often emphasized accepting people who were different from everyone else around them.  

The library paid $150 to organize the event, according to the NewBostonPost.