Drag Queen Story Time

[LizzyStrata]

First time posting here, so not sure of the etiquette. My apologies if this is the wrong place to raise these concerns.

Reading Borough Council is planning to hold Drag Queen Story Hour events in our libraries during the summer holidays. I’ve written to my MP, my councillors, and the Head of the Library Service to raise concerns. I think drag is entirely inappropriate for children, as it is a form of adult entertainment, highly sexualised and misogynistic, that blurs boundaries and undermines safeguarding.

The response Ive had is simply that they have received very few complaints so no reason to cancel.

Has anyone had any experience of tackling their local library over this issue? Grateful for any tips.

Also, if you live in Berkshire ,would you be willing to write and share your concerns?

thanks!

Stella Creasy couldn't go lower in my estimation

"inappropriate garb"

And here was I thinking that all GCs subscribed to the JK Rowling mantra of "dress however you please". Clearly it only applies if you conform to gender norms.

At the end of the day a man in drag is simply someone in a dress, wig and makeup.

You wouldn't have an issue with an individual doing this if they were a woman and that's why I find this debate so bizarre. People really need to leave the mindset of 1950s behind.

And of course drag names like Anna Bortion are just hunky dory eh?

Stop with the wide eyed indignation.

Is this appropriate in your opinion?

www.theblaze.com/news/photo-shows-drag-queen-story-hour-performer-in-miniskirt-exposing-crotch-as-children-sit-close-by

And here was I thinking that all GCs subscribed to the JK Rowling mantra of "dress however you please". Clearly it only applies if you conform to gender norms.

What an irrelevant thing to say.

Please answer these questions:

Q 1. In front of whom are men dressing up as grotesque parodies of women as sex objects?

Q. 2. Do you think JKR was talking about anyone other than consenting adults?

Would anyone know if this is due to take place in the London Borough of Sutton? I'll be writing to libraries in this area.

You’re so desperate to make out drag is progressive, it makes me laugh. The people stuck in the 1950s are the ones going « WOO WOO MEN IN DRESSES AND MAKE UP!! »
noone with half a brain finds it at all remarkable

Hierarch15
If the trans allies’ idea is that transwomen not only have the right to women’s prison spaces, refuges, sports, changing rooms, lavatories, and short lists, but also the right for a sub set of them to dress up as a male fetishist fantasy of a woman as a sex object - in front of very young children - on purpose to ‘queer’ their understanding of the world, then that is doing the cause of transwomen no favours.

Stella Creasy took her wriggly baby to one:

"What a lovely afternoon with Drag Story Hour UK today with the wonderful Greta who put so much energy into story telling and entertaining local children - Proud too that Walthamstow a community that welcomes and celebrates pride with the @morrisgallery in this lovely way!" 🌈🌈

t.co/eDsfBnyChX

Oh, bugger sorry about duplicate photo

One of the better ones I've seen, actually.

And the kiddo learned what exactly?

Exactly, the reading schemes always have diverse characters from different ethnic groups and disabilities to reflect different children. I would prefer to see adults representing the diverse ethic communities in Reading and may be representative from the Autistic Pride group who run a festival locally for example. This would be a better use of limited funds.

I admire the woman’s strength to get out and voice her objections. Would I have used the same language? No. But I object as I would prefer inclusivity to actually include people who parents/carers can see representing their child as an adult. Sure, they might grow up and do drag but I would argue that seeing an adult in a wheelchair or an adult who is autistic would do more. Drag to me, is in same league as burlesque, entertainment for adults. An art form for some but it isn’t aimed at children and will confuse many.

When I was little I still remember people reading to us - an old soldier from WW2, an elderly lady who was a Burn fanatic and recited poems, an lady from Nigeria who told us traditional stories, and a policeman who yelled at us (I know which of you pressed the crossing button without crossing the road! I have seen you! If I see you again you will be in big trouble!).

These were when I was primary 2 (about 4). Amazing - apart from PC Grumpy Pants (as we named him).

Sometimes the fake boobs, too.

Do you think the black and white minstrels should be accepted back then? Just a wig and make up in your eyes. I'm surprised you don't see ridicule. Do you think it is all just harmless fun to perform this in front of children?

I don't think either are meant to be flattering to the 'others' they are dressing up as. Quite the opposite.

Stella really is a deeply tedious handmaiden 🙄

What I like about Stella Creasy's pictures is that her baby appears to be the only one there.

So she does have a clue about safeguarding them (assuming there was more than one kid there).

Stella Creasy tries so, so hard. Very 'how do you do, fellow kids'.

I have no wish for my kids to be read to by what is essentially Bernard Manning after a crash course in Gender Trouble.

Googled the drag queen in question and this is one of the first images that came up. This can't be what I think it is can it??

This. Also ask the libraries with a Freedom of Information Request

I do think we should all just withdraw attention from creasy until she’s forced to paint her arse blue and stick it in Lewis’s window to get us to look at her.

That would hardly be less dignified than her current carry on

We're talking about children. To someone with no interest in children's wellbeing / safety I suppose it's a bit of a shock to realise that adults are meant to adapt their language, behaviour and on occasions (mainly for the extremist kink / porn addicts) even their dress when being introduced to children (maybe google age appropriate for a bit of help).

But Mumsnet's a useful place to learn this stuff as the vast majority of posters are women with a good appreciation of the needs of children