Page 7 | Drag Queen Story Time at the British Library

TundraDweller · 2020-02-04T10:17:21+00:00

Three Drag Queen Story Times in one day - https://www.bl.uk/events/family-day-young-rebels

CallofDoodee · 04/02/2020 20:20

Yeah, I mean I wouldn't call this 'a camp man in a dress'...

Just... What's the point of this for toddlers and preschool children? What's in it for them?

Drag Queen Story Time at the British Library

CaptainKirksSpikeyGhost · 04/02/2020 20:21

Once again you are pretending to missunderstand what people are taking issue with.

Justhadathought · 04/02/2020 20:22

but I really couldn't care less if she sees a man in a dress on TV, on in the street, or at an event. I'm not desperate for it, but I certainly don't have an issue with it

I've seen a few young men on the street in skirts in recent times...and I have quite appreciated that - and have even said to them how nice it is to see a man in a skirt without thinking he's a woman.

But drag is different......

SarahTancredi · 04/02/2020 20:23

But that's not what drag queens are.
A camp man on a regular dress reading stories to kids would not require being an entire event. It would blend in with staff or authors they bring in to read their books.

A drag queen is something entirely different

Goosefoot · 04/02/2020 20:23

I think though it would be kind of weird to have "man in a dress" story time at the library. Or "black woman" story time. "disabled person" story time?

At best it's trying too hard. Kind of like missionaries bringing in someone from a far off tribe to educate the masses.

Binterested · 04/02/2020 20:25

Well goosefoot thats what tells you this is not about diversity. It is all about sexual boundaries.

CallofDoodee · 04/02/2020 20:25

I think though it would be kind of weird to have "man in a dress" story time at the library. Or "black woman" story time. "disabled person" story time?

You don't have to though? Just have the normal 'rhyme time' events but just have a more diverse range of people leading them?

Justhadathought · 04/02/2020 20:26

At best it's trying too hard. Kind of like missionaries bringing in someone from a far off tribe to educate the masses

Yes, it's not about the kids at all..........

SaltLampBae · 04/02/2020 20:29

Yeah, I mean I wouldn't call this 'a camp man in a dress'...

I don't know what's wrong with that? He looks quite cool - he's dressed up for a children's event, surely that's pretty common. That doesn't seem sexualised, unless I'm missing something.

In that photo, it looks like he's reading books about little girls not having to conform to gender norms ('not all princesses dress in pink'), and different types of families (we've got that book, I think, as we're a single parent family and most children's books and TVs only seem to show a traditional nuclear family) etc. Some of the stuff you've all shared is pretty awful, but I don't see the issue with this one.

SaltLampBae · 04/02/2020 20:32

Once again you are pretending to missunderstand what people are taking issue with.

Once again, you are deliberately hostile to anybody who doesn't stick to the party line I'm just having a conversation with you all - I do have concerns especially re kids taking puberty blockers etc. I just didn't see an inherent issue with this as a concept (as long as the entertainers act in an age appropriate way). Learnt my lesson - I'll stay off FWR for another 6 months now!

Justhadathought · 04/02/2020 20:34

In that photo, it looks like he's reading books about little girls not having to conform to gender norms ('not all princesses dress in pink'), and different types of families (we've got that book, I think, as we're a single parent family and most children's books and TVs only seem to show a traditional nuclear family) etc. Some of the stuff you've all shared is pretty awful, but I don't see the issue with this one

To be honest, I just see it as manipulation. There is an agenda other than the children's well-being ( and it is pretty ugly and confusing to boot)

CaptainKirksSpikeyGhost · 04/02/2020 20:34

Salt where are you?
I'm very interested as in the UK children's TV generally has a good range of families.

Binterested · 04/02/2020 20:35

Yes he’s not wearing that to amuse or entertain the children.

CaptainKirksSpikeyGhost · 04/02/2020 20:37

As much as I hate the BBC one of the good things they do is represent diverse family situations, and ceebies also has a lot of children with disabilities on their shows.

Justhadathought · 04/02/2020 20:37

Yeah, I mean I wouldn't call this 'a camp man in a dress'...Just... What's the point of this for toddlers and preschool children? What's in it for them

Have to say my instincts would be screaming. " No!", if presented with that scenario.

NotBadConsidering · 04/02/2020 20:38

Slight derail, but spotted this post from Clymene

This library decided they needed to introduce a dress code after this drag queen repeatedly exposed his crotch (drag queens don't identify as women, so I'm using male pronouns) to children he was reading to:

Classic example of how people here feel the need to qualify their language out of fear someone will seize on an opportunity to report their post and MNHQ will do so without thinking, while simultaneously claiming that we aren’t subject to vexatious reporting by people with an agenda.

Particularly hard on drag queen threads because who the hell knows how any one drag queen might refer to themselves as on any given day?

Sorry, back to safeguarding now.

SarahTancredi · 04/02/2020 20:39

salt
Ring around your local nursing homes. Ask if they have any drag queen bingo planned ?

When they say no, ask yourself why this "entertainment" is solely aimed at pre schoolers

Justhadathought · 04/02/2020 20:42

In that photo, it looks like he's reading books about little girls not having to conform to gender norms ('not all princesses dress in pink')

You see, my problem stems from the fact that the "princesses don't have to dress in pink" and 'drag queen story time' both originate from the same set of sexist and oppresive stereotypes.......largely American in origin ( Disney princesses etc) and increasingly prevalent in society.

Transgenderism and drag both rely on hideous stereotypes. And the 'pink thing' is pure commercial marketing - certainly to the extent that we witness it today. Certainly can't recall 'pink obsessions' when I was a child

CallofDoodee · 04/02/2020 20:42

I don't know what's wrong with that?

How is him dressed like that educating kids about LGBT issues? Why can't he just read those books in regular clothing, whether that be masculine or feminine regular clothing? He is not 'dressed for a children's event'. People dressed for an event for toddlers don't dress like that. People 'dressed for a children's event' dress as Peppa Pig, or Spiderman or Mickey Mouse and some kids are scared of that, let alone a huge bloke dressed as a 'demon' (as Pink News put it).

NotBadConsidering · 04/02/2020 20:44

Have a look at this story from last year:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/481b5100-8a1c-11e9-8b21-ee1cb6566fbb?shareToken=26c2a7f1ad25b45afdc0716b2f0ca44f

This is the message an 8 year old girl went home with:

In Tompkins Square Park, in the anything-goes East Village, Rev Yolanda’s session went without a hitch. “I liked it. I like butterflies, and she was spreading that you don’t have to be a girl to do boy things, you can be transgender,” said Lucia McCulloch, 8, who was with her mother. “It doesn’t matter what your gender is, it matters what you want it to be.”

Justhadathought · 04/02/2020 20:45

Salt where are you?I'm very interested as in the UK children's TV generally has a good range of families

Yes, I was buying books that featured 'alternative' families for my daughter 30+ years ago ( I was a single parent at that time).

SaltLampBae · 04/02/2020 20:46

Salt where are you?
I'm very interested as in the UK children's TV generally has a good range of families.

I am in the UK. My DD is 4 - she doesn't like Justin, unfortunately; I've really encouraged it as her cousin has autism so I was hoping she'd watch Something Special, but she's not keen on him (she likes Pablo though, which is brilliant for teaching kids about autism, I think). I haven't really seen anything else which features either LGBT families or single parent families (not sure which you're referring to). Keen to hear recommendations though, if you've got any. We've got iPlayer, Netflix etc. Thanks!

SaltLampBae · 04/02/2020 20:47

Yes, I was buying books that featured 'alternative' families for my daughter 30+ years ago ( I was a single parent at that time).

Yeah, we've got loads of great books (as I said).

Lordfrontpaw · 04/02/2020 20:50

We had alternative family books in my primary school library.

Paw - knowing about lesbians and gay dads since 1975...

SaltLampBae · 04/02/2020 20:51

*You see, my problem stems from the fact that the "princesses don't have to dress in pink" and 'drag queen story time' both originate from the same set of sexist and oppresive stereotypes.......largely American in origin ( Disney princesses etc) and increasingly prevalent in society.

Transgenderism and drag both rely on hideous stereotypes. And the 'pink thing' is pure commercial marketing - certainly to the extent that we witness it today. Certainly can't recall 'pink obsessions' when I was a child*

But isn't the whole concept of 'princesses don't have to dress in pink' (as in the statement, I haven't heard of the book) trying to dismantle these regressive stereotypes? Granted, 'princess' is a bit problematic, but isn't it basically saying girls don't have to dress in pink eg be 'girly' and conform to gender norms? I'm all for that message.