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Original poster

Drag Queen Storytime at my local library (photo attached)

756 replies

Carla786 · 03/02/2026 18:59

I had a lovely trip to my local library yesterday. Spent a long time there choosing books, basically the whole time there was a very noisy toddler event going on in the next room. I didn't mind, they host a lot of stuff for various people & that's good.

As I left, I looked at the posters of various things they were advertising. I saw one for 'Mama G', clearly a drag queen, which I photographed for identification purposes. I thought this nonsense of drag story hours might be quietening down, but clearly not at my library. I'd never seen them advertise anything like that before 🤦‍♀️

Checking the photo when I got home, I saw the event had taken place that day, while I was choosing my books. I wasn't listening particularly hard, but from what I heard it sounded more like a 'panto dame' style event than anything sexualised. It still seems odd and inadvisable though. If a drag Queen wants to do panto style entertainment for kids too, he should have a separate line in that, rather than mixing it up. 'Drag queen shows ' are by nature sexual and adult, so 'drag queen' shows blur boundaries whatever the content/intention.

OP posts:
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25
Ohnonononotagain · 03/02/2026 19:23

vodkaredbullgirl · 03/02/2026 19:14

Too many pearl clutches on here.

Why do you have to roll out this tired and ridiculous comment?
Just because some pp have a different view point to you.
Pure and simple intolerance of others opinions

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 03/02/2026 19:23

EmmaOvary · 03/02/2026 19:16

If I take my son to the library, will he start identifying as a book? Won’t somebody think of the children!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Original poster
Carla786 · 03/02/2026 19:23

SquatBetty · 03/02/2026 19:16

What I want to know is, why these drag queens never seem to do story time at OAP care homes or sheltered accommodation etc etc , you know places where the residents might find it hard to get out and about and might appreciate a bit of entertainment - happy to be corrected if any of them do

Well OAPs might be more likely to disapprove of drag queens, for various reasons. I agree with you, though.

OP posts:
GoldMerchant · 03/02/2026 19:24

Yeah, I'm really upset that these "impressionistic" kids got the impression that reading is fun, that its lovely to share stories, and that anyone can dress up in bright and fun costumes.

A quick Google gave me loads of examples of drag queens going to old people's homes to do shows. And also taught me that "why don't they go to old people's homes" is a classic line that people trot out against drag queen storytime. So glad to know I can use it to spot the trolls.

Verytall · 03/02/2026 19:24

OP, do you have any examples of drag queens that have inappropriately brought adult themed drag to children's story time, or is that an assumption you've made after seeing this poster?
I work in an office that is open to the library downstairs, overhead many drag storytimes, never once heard/seen any adult content shows. The parents are usually with the children too, I'd think they'd object if there were?

pimplebum · 03/02/2026 19:24

Gloriia · 03/02/2026 19:03

Grim. Perform on stage as pantomime dames or a drag queen act if you must but why on earth storytime with impressionable young kids. I'd complain to the library op.

What do you find “grim”?

how are the “ impressionable” kids harmed ?

how would you frame a complaint ?

OP its a shame you didn’t look at the kids faces when story time was happening and feed back on how much they were enjoying it ? because that is all that matters surely ? Did small children get entertainment and value from having a story read to them ? Yes or no ?

vodkaredbullgirl · 03/02/2026 19:24

cleaningthebog · 03/02/2026 19:21

Are you naive or you just don't care?

Show quote history

It's a bit of fun I'm sure if it was offensive the library wouldn't have them there.

TofuEater · 03/02/2026 19:24

Librarian here - please do complain. It will give the person who has to answer your email a much-needed laugh and they will take great delight in being as sarcastic as possible in their reply. And it won't change a thing given even you admit it sounded like a really popular event

Soontobe60 · 03/02/2026 19:25

JHound · 03/02/2026 19:02

It’s basically Panto.

I literally cannot see the issue. Yanks being weird about it is one thing but Britons being weird about Drag Queen reading hour at libraries are absolutely bonkers given we have Pantomime.

And can people stop with saying Drag Queen’s are inherently sexual? That’s what’s created this nonsense. Drag has been around for ages and Drag Queen’s will simply fit their show to the surrounding.

Edited

Any performance which involves men parodying women in an overtly sexualised manner is inherently misogynistic, including panto ‘dames’.

Original poster
Carla786 · 03/02/2026 19:25

Arlanymor · 03/02/2026 19:19

This was last spring: https://www.hc-one.co.uk/our-news/news-and-events/drag-performance-brings-joy-to-caerphilly-care

I work - in an adjacent capacity - with care homes and it definitely happens here in Wales. What's brilliant is that often the drag artists dress up to fit a particular era and perform songs from that era - it's really lovely.

Edited to add: it's not story time, because adults can usually read for themselves (and prefer to), but it is a musical performance from drag artist.

Edited
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That sounds really nice.

OP posts:
LionKing88 · 03/02/2026 19:25

For anyone clutching their pearls too hard - heres the link to their website.

https://www.petitepantos.com/mama-g

You can see that they have even been on BGT - so pretty family friendly! Ffs...

Mama G | Petite Pantos

Come and meet "everyone's favourite pantomime dame," (Metro)!

https://www.petitepantos.com/mama-g

Soontobe60 · 03/02/2026 19:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Ohnonononotagain · 03/02/2026 19:26

vodkaredbullgirl · 03/02/2026 19:24

It's a bit of fun I'm sure if it was offensive the library wouldn't have them there.

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Drag Queen's aren't " a bit of fun".
What is funny about mocking women?

Original poster
Carla786 · 03/02/2026 19:27

Screamingabdabz · 03/02/2026 19:20

Oh jeez, it must be so great to be a cool parent who doesn’t see further than the end of your nose about the semiotics and inherent unwholesomeness of this. The library could get some really cool older or retired people who’ve had interesting lives and stories to tell. Have a bit of intergenerational socialisation. But no. Always big blokes larping and mocking women. Super. 🙄

Tbf we don't know if the act was mocking women necessarily. I heard it as I was next door & it sounded familiar similar to other toddler events I've overheard. Noisy singing etc but the content didn't seem inappropriate/sexist afaik.

OP posts:
ApplebyArrows · 03/02/2026 19:27

Why, of all the types of performers they could get in to read to children, have they gone for this type? I can only assume it's related to the bizarre impression many people seem to have that drag queens are somehow progressive.

Soontobe60 · 03/02/2026 19:27

GoldMerchant · 03/02/2026 19:24

Yeah, I'm really upset that these "impressionistic" kids got the impression that reading is fun, that its lovely to share stories, and that anyone can dress up in bright and fun costumes.

A quick Google gave me loads of examples of drag queens going to old people's homes to do shows. And also taught me that "why don't they go to old people's homes" is a classic line that people trot out against drag queen storytime. So glad to know I can use it to spot the trolls.

Maybe they’ll get the Black and White minstrels in next time eh?

Flowerytwits · 03/02/2026 19:28

Gloriia · 03/02/2026 19:07

Drag queens aren't usually of the cuddly old school Biggins type, they are styled in an overty sexualised way often with misogynistic names.

There's a time and a place. Clubs fine if it's your thing, kids storytime? Nope.

Show quote history

This

I find drag misogynistic and uncomfortable - it’s parodying women in a grotesque way

Ukefluke · 03/02/2026 19:28

Could they not just read books without dressing up as a grotesque femail parody?

If they are not dressed as a character in the book , what is the point ?

I loathe panto dames, but I loathe drag more. It is sexual, drag queens never dress like an female civil servant. They dress like hookers. Its a fetish. And the camp, arch, oo er shit makes me boak.

brunettemic · 03/02/2026 19:28

😂😂😂

Original poster
Carla786 · 03/02/2026 19:29

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 03/02/2026 19:20

My youngest is now 24 and was particularly upset by anything “drag” which he saw in real life or TV. He managed without it and now is a well rounded individual with both straight and gay friends. An absolute waste of money when libraries are closing and hours reduced.

Yes,,my mother always remembers my being terrified by puppet shows when I was a child. I can imagine finding heavily made-up etc figures like drag queens scary too.

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 03/02/2026 19:29

Ohnonononotagain · 03/02/2026 19:23

Why do you have to roll out this tired and ridiculous comment?
Just because some pp have a different view point to you.
Pure and simple intolerance of others opinions

Show quote history

It's the 1st time I've ever said it in any posts, plenty of other people say it.

Arlanymor · 03/02/2026 19:29

Carla786 · 03/02/2026 19:25

That sounds really nice.

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I know of one where the artist dressed up as in the style of Marlene Dietrich to perform 'Lili Marlene' and once she'd finished and the applause had died down, they asked what they should perform next. One female resident said something along the lines of it: "Nice as that was, we're not all 90 and I don't like that song - can you do some Cher please?"

Wish I had been there!!

Flowerytwits · 03/02/2026 19:29

Carla786 · 03/02/2026 19:27

Tbf we don't know if the act was mocking women necessarily. I heard it as I was next door & it sounded familiar similar to other toddler events I've overheard. Noisy singing etc but the content didn't seem inappropriate/sexist afaik.

Show quote history

By its very nature it’s mocking women

Arlanymor · 03/02/2026 19:29

Carla786 · 03/02/2026 19:29

Yes,,my mother always remembers my being terrified by puppet shows when I was a child. I can imagine finding heavily made-up etc figures like drag queens scary too.

Show quote history

I hate clowns but no one has phased them out! Brrr... hate even typing the word and I'm nearly 47!

PrenzPrince · 03/02/2026 19:30

Ohnonononotagain · 03/02/2026 19:12

I don't like the concept of Drag Queen's.
Basically a parody and mockery of women.
I don't understand their popularity.
And I certainly don't understand how they could be considered children's entertainment or what place they could possibly have in the local children's library.

⬆️ this