Drag Queen Story Hour

 Drag Queen Storytime/Hour

Link to Photo

    Week five of our Storytelling course included an article about Drag Queen Story Times. (See below for article) This reading spoke to me. I consider myself to be a person that embraces diversity so my reaction to this reading was positive. I loved the idea! As a mother and teacher, I want my children and students to embrace and celebrate people's differences. The picture above is from Drag Queen Storytime at the JFK Library in Vallejo California. One of the attendees, Tom Bilbo of the Solano Pride Center said, "This is about showing kids that there are all kinds of different people in the world and to embrace diversity.” 

Article From Week 5

    Although I am an advocate for diverse events like Drag Queen Storytime, some people are not. In fact, this event has made national news because it is so controversial. Most libraries that have held this event, are bombarded with outraged picketers. (See articles and video below.) Perhaps if these individuals knew more about the program and its benefits, they would feel differently. 

Vallejo Library's Drag Queen Storytime

People Protesting Drag Queen Story Hour Met By Counter-Protesters

    After reading about protests, I wanted to learn more about the events. I found a fantastic video on YouTube that explained the mission of these events in detail and how much they meant to the storytellers and their audience. Please take a look...

    There is also a wonderful site that explains what Drag Queen Story Hour is. It also includes, reading tips from Drag Queens, newsletters, the latest news/media, and the ability to search for an event. The link to the site is below.

Drag Queen Story Hour Site

    This remains to be a controversial event, but appears to be popping up in more libraries around the country. What are your thoughts? Is this appropriate for libraries? Is it more or less acceptable to have books about drag queens? What message is being sent to patrons? I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section.

Link to purchase book

References

Barriage, S., Kitzie, V., Floegel, D., & Oltmann, S. M. (n.d.). Drag queen storytimes: Public library staff perceptions and experiences. Children and Libraries. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://journals.ala.org/index.php/cal/article/view/7581/10486.

John Carroll / General Assignment Reporter & Anchor. (2019, August 29). People protesting drag queen story hour met by counter-protesters. KPBS Public Media. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2019/08/29/people-protesting-drag-queen-story-hour-dqsh-are-m.

Raskin-Zrihen, R. (2019, June 17). Vallejo Library's drag queen story hour draws small protest. Times. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2019/06/14/vallejo-librarys-drag-queen-story-hour-draws-small-protest-in-vallejo/.

Royce, E., Chambers, H., & Cummings, M. G. (2020). Auntie uncle: Drag queen hero. Pow!

What is Drag Queen Story Hour? Drag Queen Story Hour. (2021, November 2). Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.org/.

YouTube. (2018). Drag Queen Story Hour. YouTube. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfJNRFB6E-A.

YouTube. (2020). The Drag Queens Reading To Kids in Libraries | them. YouTube. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy7Oj4fSzuI&t=34s.