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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Drag Queen Story Time - and a business opportunity for the GC

109 replies

expandabandband · 11/08/2022 10:14

So, I went into my local library to calmly state my problems with them having Drag Queen Story Time in a couple of weeks. Ended up having a chat with the Library Supervisor whose line was very much that [ourcounty] libraries are inclusive for everyone. And this kept being repeated, along with the fact that it was optional.

Except Drag Queen Story nonsense is the only one which they have - and I pointed out that this privileges it and I would have less of an issue if it was just one among many (would still have an issue but was trying to be reasonable).

So she kept saying that of course they were inclusive of everyone and if other groups approached them they would host them in just the same way.

But you pay DQST.

Well yes.

Therefore the implication is that they would pay other groups.

SO, here's the plan. Who wants to set up Gender Critical Feminist Story Time? She assures me that our library has loads of feminist books, so it's an easy ask. And if you get turned down, you can sue them!

All we need is an administrator and someone to read the stories, both with high level DSB checks. And perhaps a logo. Who's in?

(I currently run a feminist charity but am happy to be a trustee...)

OP posts:
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NitroNine · 14/08/2022 15:33

Oh no @Allthegoodnamesarechosen a full & proper explanation of exactly why the whole “bUt ShAkEsPeArE dId DrAg” nonsense is, well, nonsense is excellent & most welcome. Vastly more informative & useful than my just saying they’re talking utter ahistorical shite wherever it was upthread 😄

nononsense29 · 14/08/2022 18:35

PurgatoryOfPotholes · 14/08/2022 15:26

People like to assure us that drag queens are just like panto.

I wonder, has anyone tried approaching a group of male drag artists after they've finished a show at a nightclub, and telling them that they're pantomime dames.

I don't think they'd appreciate the comparison.

Soo well said!

nononsense29 · 14/08/2022 18:44

Cuck00soup · 14/08/2022 08:04

Something I have read about DQST is that the stories are performed well. I can totally believe this.

How great it would be to have a range of stories told equally brilliantly without grooming children to ignore normal safeguards.

From a feminist POV there is a great opportunity to have some positive role models.

I agree. Lots of dubious people from history were good at their craft. To say that's what matters entirely misses the point.

expandabandband · 14/08/2022 19:21

@ScrollingLeaves Here's the text, DM me if you want me to forward the actual email as there are images and so on too:

Safeguarding Fail!

Dear xxxxx,
If you are on social media, it's been hard to avoid the controversy surrounding the nationwide library tour by Aida H Dee, self-styled "Storytime Drag Queen".

In a bold move, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer, tweeted her disappointment that there were protests against this "creative and joyous initiative to tackle stereotypes and ensure children see different types of role models in stories".

This was met with immediate and widespread criticism. There were thoughtful responses from feminists, from opponents of trans-ideology, from people with knowledge of safeguarding and from members of the Green Party.

So why were so many people unhappy?

Misogny in high heels and sequins

Many feminists object to Drag because they see it as an offensive parody of womanhood which relies on stereotypes.

Adult Entertainment is Not for Children

Drag Artists have traditionally performed very risque acts for adults in late night venues. Turning up to read stories to young children in their work outfits is bizarre to say the least. Most people who enjoy watching drag queens themselves still feel that it is inappropriate for children.

Creating gender confusion

Children are being read to by a man in a dress, maybe even a man with a beard. They know that he is a man but are being told by trusted adults to refer to this person as "she" or "her".
They are, in effect, being groomed into believing in gender ideology. The damning Cass report which led to the closure of the Tavistock has shown just how harmful this ideology can be to confused or unhappy children and young people.

Find Out More

Feminist Current has an interesting article asking whether children need Drag Queen Story Hour. here

Journalist and broadcaster Sonia Poulton made an excellent video which is available on YouTube. here

What can you do?

Green Feminists do NOT recommend protesting outside libraries which are holding these events. This would be very distressing to parents and children going into the libraries. It would also make it easy for supporters of DQSH to falsely accuse you of having links with the extreme right wing groups which are starting to hold protests against these events.

Instead, if libraries near you are holding these events, then write or email the libraries, local authorities, your MP and local press to explain your concerns. You may find this letter from Leeds ReSisters a helpful starting point: here

I will provide links if people want them but it is Sunday evening and my beer is calling

OP posts:
expandabandband · 15/08/2022 09:45

Link to the newsletter here: us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=409cf838eaa33b3b4852ba616&id=bab8840d64

OP posts:
ScrollingLeaves · 15/08/2022 10:24

expandabandband · Today 09:45
Thank you you very much for going to the trouble of sending that.

I am glad someone in the Green Party had the courage to contradict the badly thought out statement issued by the deputy leader. It does not show the party in a good light.

nononsense29 · 15/08/2022 10:58

expandabandband · 14/08/2022 19:21

@ScrollingLeaves Here's the text, DM me if you want me to forward the actual email as there are images and so on too:

Safeguarding Fail!

Dear xxxxx,
If you are on social media, it's been hard to avoid the controversy surrounding the nationwide library tour by Aida H Dee, self-styled "Storytime Drag Queen".

In a bold move, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer, tweeted her disappointment that there were protests against this "creative and joyous initiative to tackle stereotypes and ensure children see different types of role models in stories".

This was met with immediate and widespread criticism. There were thoughtful responses from feminists, from opponents of trans-ideology, from people with knowledge of safeguarding and from members of the Green Party.

So why were so many people unhappy?

Misogny in high heels and sequins

Many feminists object to Drag because they see it as an offensive parody of womanhood which relies on stereotypes.

Adult Entertainment is Not for Children

Drag Artists have traditionally performed very risque acts for adults in late night venues. Turning up to read stories to young children in their work outfits is bizarre to say the least. Most people who enjoy watching drag queens themselves still feel that it is inappropriate for children.

Creating gender confusion

Children are being read to by a man in a dress, maybe even a man with a beard. They know that he is a man but are being told by trusted adults to refer to this person as "she" or "her".
They are, in effect, being groomed into believing in gender ideology. The damning Cass report which led to the closure of the Tavistock has shown just how harmful this ideology can be to confused or unhappy children and young people.

Find Out More

Feminist Current has an interesting article asking whether children need Drag Queen Story Hour. here

Journalist and broadcaster Sonia Poulton made an excellent video which is available on YouTube. here

What can you do?

Green Feminists do NOT recommend protesting outside libraries which are holding these events. This would be very distressing to parents and children going into the libraries. It would also make it easy for supporters of DQSH to falsely accuse you of having links with the extreme right wing groups which are starting to hold protests against these events.

Instead, if libraries near you are holding these events, then write or email the libraries, local authorities, your MP and local press to explain your concerns. You may find this letter from Leeds ReSisters a helpful starting point: here

I will provide links if people want them but it is Sunday evening and my beer is calling

Well done, this is great!

cariadlet · 15/08/2022 13:13

ScrollingLeaves · 15/08/2022 10:24

expandabandband · Today 09:45
Thank you you very much for going to the trouble of sending that.

I am glad someone in the Green Party had the courage to contradict the badly thought out statement issued by the deputy leader. It does not show the party in a good light.

There's quite a number of gender critical Greens - although there are some in the party who would like to silence us.

Several of us responded on Twitter to Carla's terrible thread about DQSH.

ScrollingLeaves · 15/08/2022 13:50

It is good to see Shahrar Ali’s response:

Carla, this culture war framing (transphobic, homophobic, right-wing, far-right etc.) uses politically biased article then report to denigrate ordinary people's concerns about libraries hosting drag queen reading events for kids.

It's incredibly divisive not progressive.

Firstly, if it's not age-appropriate to take kids to drag queen performances why is it age-appropriate to have kids' story-tellers dressed in drag?

Or do you think former also acceptable & should be encouraged?

Second, don't you see that a drag queen portrayal itself perpetuates an extraordinarily regressive gender stereotype, quite independently of who is doing the act?

There can be time & place for such performances but why mixed in with story-telling for kids?

Third, don't think our party policy would be advocating for this. To contrary, we insist on all teachers having appropriate training & qualifications, including safeguarding. That should include libraries.

If it's LGBTIQA+ inclusion we are promoting why not do in structured way?

Finally you impute Green Party "not immune" to these far-right influences. This includes any/all of us who question age-appropriateness of libraries hosting drag queen storytime for kids?

But our EDI recommendations advocate need for more internal forums for discussion not less.

Unfortunately though the responses are against him as far as I got.

examples:
you are literally peddling far-right influences with this whole diatribe, how can you be so lacking in self-awareness?

So she's discussing. You just don't have a good answer for her point.

drag is not inherently sexual, only homophobes sell that narrative

Assuming anything from queer culture is sexual and inappropriate for children is the oldest homophobic playbook in existence.
I expected the green party to understand that history and do better in regard to combatting bigotry instead of thinking bigotry deserve "discussion"

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