From California to Independence Hall: Dozens of local governments, libraries host drag queen story hour for ‘pride month’

Dozens of public libraries and other government agencies are hosting drag queen story hours in celebration of “gay pride” month.

The target audience for the events are as young as three years-old, reports Fox News.

In the Adams Morgan neighborhood, the D.C. public library will feature the drag queen performer IttyBitty on Jun. 25. The neighborhood will host drag queen story hours through October, according to its website.

“The goal of Drag Storytime is to inspire a love of reading, while teaching deeper lessons on diversity, self-love and an appreciation of others,” claimed the website.

Not to be outdone, Berkeley Public Library will feature a bilingual drag queen story hour.

Drag queen Bella Aldama will be playing a Mexican, bingo-type game called Loteria, said Fox News.

“Hear stories and sing along with Bella Aldama! Celebrate learning, play, and all kinds of difference in this fun and fabulous Drag Queen story time,” said the library’s website.

The target ages are 3-8 years-old, according to the event schedule.

In Oregon, the Washington County Public library system is promoting a “pride list” of books to children. 

The Petaluma, Rincon Valley, Windsor and Central Santa Rosa public libraries in Sonoma County, California, are hosting drag story hours for infants through 6th grade, said Fox.  

The San Jose Museum of Art is featuring a series of weekly drag queen story hours targeted at all ages, through June.   

“Program is for all-ages – grab the kiddies from the next room to join you!” said the museum’s website about the events.  

In Lafayette, Colorado, readings for the drag queen story hour are by “beloved local family entertainer Shirley Delta Blow,” said the local library.  

“Come dressed in your finest! Drag Queen Storytime captures the imagination and gender fluidity of childhood play and shows children that people come in all shapes, sizes, and forms!” said the library’s website.  

Blow has been featured at Denver-area gay bars such as Hamburger Mary’s, the Ink Lounge and the Clocktower Cabaret, where tickets for “family entertainer” Shirley Delta Blow’s shows are marked: “All shows 18+ unless otherwise noted.”  

And finally, Independence Hall in Philadelphia will be hosting a drag queen story time in June, spending $250,000 on an advertising campaign featuring the event.  

Drag queens Brittany Lynn and Morgan Wells will read “Giraffes Can’t Dance” a book “promoting self-acceptance, to children in front of Independence Hall,” said the Philadelphia Inquirer.  

Subsequently, 30-second clips of the event will be used to advertise Philadelphia as a tourist destination for LGBT travelers in Philadelphia and New York.