Drag Queen Storytime at my local library (photo attached)

[Carla786]

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.

There is also a view that it's mocking those who stereotype women. No one ever seems talk about this.

Well if you really are a Librarian and that's how you and your colleagues behave then you should be totally ashamed of yourselves. Making fun of members of the public, who pay your wages, isn't really a good look you know.

Tbf a lot of the examples I came across on FWR were US ones, but there were also UK ones where the drag queen behaved inappropriately.

Oh yes they would - they are maybe hypnotised like the bbc about drag

Yes, great idea, leave the entertainment to the likes of Tofueater there who obviously couldn’t give a shit about children as long as it ticks a woke ally box. 👏🏻👏🏻

Libraries used to be places for reading and quiet contemplation, why would people trying to read want this nonsense going on next to them?

Come on, I'm as GC as the next TERF but pantomime is fine, its not the same as drag queens - and even they are generally fine! I think you need to chill.

It looks like Mama G was dressed panto dame style. I agree with the issues though.

So if it doesn't appear Mama G did this, and there's actually no problem... why the thread?

Just because " plenty of other people say it" doesn't make it any more acceptable.

I've read a bit about drag in various countries etc and some female impersonators don't seem to do it in a mocking way. Definitely a large contingent is unpleasant & mocking, though.

A COMPLETE NON ISSUE 🤦‍♀️🌈❤️

And why would you be sarcastic? Genuine question.

Jesus, who gives a shite?

Mama G is extremely wholesome and family friendly. Other drag queens are also actually aware that reading a story to pre-schoolers is different to performing at a club for adults. Small children just enjoy getting ready a story by a 'funny lady' or maybe a 'man dressed as a funny lady' shrugs

Strange the hypnotic powers drag has on some...the BBC are definitely a good example .

I photographed for identification purposes.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Glad you’re on the case.

Tbf a lot of times I'm there the toddler events are really noisy. I don't mind though as it's good different groups are using it and it's only an hour or so on set days. There's events for elderly & other groups too in the main room but they tend to be quiet!

It's the content, not the noise,,that was the issue for me

This thread is classic.

Thanks for the laughs OP 🤣

Drag queens arent always sexual. And I really, really don’t think a drag queen in a library with toddlers is going to be sexual. I imagine the parents of the children knew what they were signing up for, so if they’re not concerned, you don’t need to be either.

People trying to read in the adjacent adult library maybe?

Drag is not and has never been inherently sexual. It’s been a part of our culture for hundreds of years and is an art form and a form of entertainment.

Every single person who has a problem with drag queens reading children’s stories in the library has taken their child to a panto, or watched Mrs Browns Boys or Mrs Doubtfire or many of the other completely normal every day examples of drag for entertainment that seem to be “acceptable.”

Let this one go, OP. You’re being ridiculous.

This is like the naked bike ride thread

Yes it's exactly the same as a pantomime dame, I mean you are always able to see Principle Boy Story Time advertised and Pantomime Horse aren't you? Oh no wait... you don't because it's not the same.