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Original poster

How to complain about Drag Queen Story Time

181 replies

ElizabethJaneHenchard · 18/08/2022 14:17

I'm going to a venue tonight that is hosting the Drag Queen Story Time later this year.
How do I complain about this, without seeming like a right-wing reactionary?
Do I hand in a letter, talking about safeguarding concerns, or how should I approach it? I will obviously be boycotting the venue from now on, if they have such a weak grasp of safeguarding, but I would like to do more than that.
What would you suggest?

OP posts:
Echobelly · 19/08/2022 12:34

How to complain? Don't.

If you don't like a performer in a funny outfit reading a story, you don't have to go. You don't have to take your kids.

Most drag queen performances are not suitable for children, this is true. But drag performers also know the difference between performing at a pub in Hoxton and reading stories to pre schoolers, it's their job to know this kid of thing.

Igmum · 19/08/2022 12:40

Agree with all of these concerns. Why would any sane parent take their toddlers to see [sexual innuendo name] adult sexualised performers who have erections in front of children, teach them to twerk, get them to lie on top of them and have explicit web pages. FFS.

If you want diverse story time get a trans woman in a dress, a trans man in trousers, LGB, disabled, BME readers but DON'T expose children to sex acts.

Apollo442 · 19/08/2022 12:40

Echobelly · 19/08/2022 12:34

How to complain? Don't.

If you don't like a performer in a funny outfit reading a story, you don't have to go. You don't have to take your kids.

Most drag queen performances are not suitable for children, this is true. But drag performers also know the difference between performing at a pub in Hoxton and reading stories to pre schoolers, it's their job to know this kid of thing.

How is it 'their job' to know what is suitable for children. They are adult entertainers. Please enlighten us to how they acquire these additional skills.

PeriodBro · 19/08/2022 12:51

Echobelly · 19/08/2022 12:34

How to complain? Don't.

If you don't like a performer in a funny outfit reading a story, you don't have to go. You don't have to take your kids.

Most drag queen performances are not suitable for children, this is true. But drag performers also know the difference between performing at a pub in Hoxton and reading stories to pre schoolers, it's their job to know this kid of thing.

www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/xxx-rated-drag-queen-called-21563900

Flojob posted pictures of Flojob reading to children on Flojob's insta. Also on Flojob's insta - pictures of Flojob sucking a dildo, wearing a ballgag, joking about drugs, etc.

So that's one performer - endorsed and supported by a well known MP! - who doesn't seem to understand boundaries and not to mix their adult and child-oriented performances.

Original poster
ElizabethJaneHenchard · 19/08/2022 12:52

sashh · 19/08/2022 09:13

Dear Venue,

I have some concerns over the upcoming 'drag queen story time' so I'd like you to clarify somethings for me.

What is the educational value of this event? If it is connected to diversity then will you be offering 'Storytime' with other people eg those employed in certain professions or people from minority ethnic groups?

Has this particular Queen had any complaints made against him? I have seen online some other events that I do not think are suitable for children eg a 'monkey' brandishing a large sex toy and another where it became apparent the queen was not wearing underwear and inadvertently flashed some of the audience.

Will there be any physical contact between the queen and any children? If so then is the queen DBS checked?

I realise that queens tailor their acts depending on the audience, however if I were to look up the queen with my child online would the material I found be suitable for a young child to view?

I look forward to your response.

Thank you @sashh this is exactly what I want to say. IMO, drag is for adults and not suitable at all for children. I think a story time with a trans man or woman would be a great idea, but I imagine that would be too sensible and not nearly exciting enough.

Thank you to all the posters who understand my concerns. To those who don't get it - I am neither bigoted or right-wing; I know you don't believe me, but I actually don't care. My only care is for the safety of children.

OP posts:
PeriodBro · 19/08/2022 12:52

Also worth noting that the Daily Star pixellated the photo of children's heads before publishing. But Flojob didn't.

Original poster
ElizabethJaneHenchard · 19/08/2022 12:53

Handsoffmyrights · 19/08/2022 09:00

OP, here's some information from another thread.

'These resources might be useful for anyone else concerned about this, and/or in the process of writing to their councils to complain:

twitter.com/FamEdTrust/status/1536674208087949312?t=stF8o41w5LkkgUtGCLnTwQ&s=19

familyeducationtrust.org.uk/letter-to-send-to-local-libraries-to-object-to-drag-queen-story-hour/

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/2022/01/09/drag-queen-story-hour/

www.spiked-online.com/2020/03/03/drag-queen-story-time-is-not-okay/

scholarship.kentlaw.iit.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=3209&context=cklawreview'

Thanks v much for this @Handsoffmyrights

OP posts:
Original poster
ElizabethJaneHenchard · 19/08/2022 12:58

ThickCutSteakChips · 19/08/2022 11:58

The point is, predators will always look for the chinks in the armour, the loop holes, the places where adults are not paying full attention. It's what they do. Children's entertainment was historically quite a good place for people who wanted access to kids, indeed I remember a bloke who did kids discos round our way was eventually convicted assaulting a child. But with DBS checks, online safety etc things have moved on.

But a predator might look at DQST and see how anyone objecting is vilified and dismissed. How it is framed as 'bigotry' to question an adult man teaching pre schoolers to twerk. How a bloke dressed up as a monkey with a dildo hanging from his groin is seen by some as 'just a bit of fun' and totally appropriate for children, and how anyone who questions this is just a 'far right pearl clutcher'. They might look at how certain drag performers who read to kids get away with having sexualised content on their public socials, and they will know that the adults involved are not paying full attention, that this could possibly be somewhere where they will not be questioned, where they might be able to hide in plain sight and get away with things they may not get away with in other situations.

And that is when problems arise....

This exactly how I feel @ThickCutSteakChips - thank you for articulating it so well.

And I won't be going to protest or stop anyone else going, but I will be emailing the venue, and boycotting it in future.

OP posts:
StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:29

thedancingbear · 19/08/2022 09:15

Please can we cut this 'woman face' nonsense? A number of BAME posters have said they find it offensive. Go and have a look on the Black Mumsnetters board for evidence.

Show quote history

A man, wearing women's clothing a thickly applied make up in a parody of a woman IS wearing womanface - this has nothing to do with BAME, it is about men impersonating women in an offensive way.

You have no clue as to my ethnic background.

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:31

In the nicest way possible, if you’re struggling to know how to respond without sounding like a ‘right wing reactionist’ then perhaps that means something.

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:32

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:29

A man, wearing women's clothing a thickly applied make up in a parody of a woman IS wearing womanface - this has nothing to do with BAME, it is about men impersonating women in an offensive way.

You have no clue as to my ethnic background.

Show quote history

It really is not an acceptable comparison, no matter your own ethnicity.

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:32

thedancingbear · 19/08/2022 09:25

I beg to differ. The post in question:

My tolerance is stretched to the limit by men wearing women face, maybe sporting erections, in close proximity to small children. Who'd have thunk it?

-is transphobic by any standard.

Show quote history

It is NOT transphobic to state that 'My tolerance is stretched to the limit by men wearing women face, maybe sporting erections, in close proximity to small children.' unless you are saying that all trans people are drag artists? That in itself would be a worrying statement.

And yes, everything is transphobic these days - it's wearing mighty thin.

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:33

Igmum · 19/08/2022 12:40

Agree with all of these concerns. Why would any sane parent take their toddlers to see [sexual innuendo name] adult sexualised performers who have erections in front of children, teach them to twerk, get them to lie on top of them and have explicit web pages. FFS.

If you want diverse story time get a trans woman in a dress, a trans man in trousers, LGB, disabled, BME readers but DON'T expose children to sex acts.

What on earth makes you think this would be happening at a story time?

I also don’t really ‘get’ it but this is ridiculous.

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:33

And it's interesting to focus on the 'woman face' and ignore the talk of erections and inappropriate behavior around children. Very telling

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:34

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:33

What on earth makes you think this would be happening at a story time?

I also don’t really ‘get’ it but this is ridiculous.

Show quote history

Oh you sweet summer child.

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:35

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:32

It is NOT transphobic to state that 'My tolerance is stretched to the limit by men wearing women face, maybe sporting erections, in close proximity to small children.' unless you are saying that all trans people are drag artists? That in itself would be a worrying statement.

And yes, everything is transphobic these days - it's wearing mighty thin.

Show quote history

Assuming that this person would be having an erection whilst reading stories to children in stereotypically feminine clothes is transphobic and disgusting.

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:36

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:34

Oh you sweet summer child.

Show quote history

Are you one of those people who also think gay men shouldn’t work with children?

Really sick of some of the horrific comments on here. Absolutely nothing feminist about this.

OriginalUsername2 · 19/08/2022 13:44

I think you’re very confused and have mixed up drag queens with transgenders.

I too, don’t get the drag queen reading books thing. Not a fan of drag, find it quite cringey, don’t see how what kids will get out of it.

But safeguarding? An erection?! No. You’re confused with men who dress as women for kinks and are using the term “transgender” as an easy way to get rights to use womens spaces. And that’s a very very small percentage of men.

Satchmoe · 19/08/2022 13:45

This reply has been deleted

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

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:45

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:35

Assuming that this person would be having an erection whilst reading stories to children in stereotypically feminine clothes is transphobic and disgusting.

Show quote history

www.lipstickalley.com/threads/drag-queen-accidentally-flashes-penis-while-reading-a-story-to-children-at-drag-queen-story-hour.2916538/page-13

mobile.twitter.com/And4women/status/1544492503629307904/photo/1

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:52

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:36

Are you one of those people who also think gay men shouldn’t work with children?

Really sick of some of the horrific comments on here. Absolutely nothing feminist about this.

Show quote history

Don't be ridiculous. Goodness who would have thought a concern about children being exposed to adult entertainment would elicit accusations of transphobia, racism and homophobia. It's like phobia bingo.

Of course I have no problem with same-sex attracted people, male, working with children. I do have a problem with males, dressing up as a parody of women to entertain children.

Are you saying that ALL drag queens are gay and transgender? Or that all transgender people are drag artists. or that all gays are drag queens? - that is some very mixed up thinking you have going on there.

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:53

BiscuitLover3678 · 19/08/2022 13:35

Assuming that this person would be having an erection whilst reading stories to children in stereotypically feminine clothes is transphobic and disgusting.

Show quote history

Please do take a look at this photo and tell me you see no problem with it?

mobile.twitter.com/HennieInglis/status/1552418510772609024/photo/1

StonewallsPyrrhicvictory · 19/08/2022 13:55

And as per the talk guidelines, please do report any instances of transphobia, homophobia and racism. Mumsnet are pretty quick to react when they see genuine examples of this behaviour.

EthelbertaChickerel · 19/08/2022 14:13

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request