Clear distinction between DQ performances for consenting adults and inappropriate sexualised performances in front of children.

[Brisland]

While scrolling through, I happened upon this clip - Megyn Kelly discussing why drag performers are inappropriate and unacceptable around children.

I wish all those who think it is harmless, creative and joyful fun for children would listen, as she sums up the motive, result and reality of the damage to children very starkly.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X-_fAOaQuZg

I think you underestimate the lengths that [redacted] will go in order to access children.

And remember that the [redacted] are not the audience, they are the show.

This is the other issue. What is the benefit TO GIRLS of being read stories by men dressed as grotesque caricatures of the girls' adult selves? This isn't just about gay culture (and I appreciate it hasn't occurred to a lot of gay men that drag could be considered misogynistic from a woman or girl's point of view). It's about a fair inclusive culture for girls too. Can people really not see this? Are boys being presented with grotesque caricatures of THEIR adult selves and being told "this is inclusivity and diversity?"

The email that came with the etickets confirmed it was a family show (which you’d expect from a 2.30 panto). The evening show was advertised as 16+.

And of course "educational" events paid for with public money are meant to be educational. The purpose of story time for children is, as others have said, is to promote literacy and enjoyment of books. It's not about "enjoyment of an adult art form that moreover specifically mocks and caricatures women."

It really wouldn't be cheered on if it was any demographic in society other than women. It's a blind spot, precisely because it's long been a big part of theatre and of gay male culture so therefore must be "progressive". But if you look at it, it really isn't, is it?

Absolutely agree @hihelenhi

From the DSQH website:

"Drag Queen Story Hour UK provide fun and interactive kids shows with amazing and talented drag performers! Drag Queen Story Hour UK wants to show the world that being different is not a bad thing, and by providing imaginative role models for children to look up to, we can change the world book by book!"

I don't disagree with the sentiment of 'being different' not being a bad thing, but even at face value, are drag queens representative of that? And how exactly is a drag queen a "role model" for a little girl? What message does a drag queen give a little girl about her life and aspirations and value in the world - when it's an OTT caricature of an adult woman?

https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.co.uk/about-us

Do you honestly think that if it was clear that a matinee showing of the Little Mermaid Panto was for adults only parents would have booked their children to see it? This was aimed at children and it was not appropriate for children.

I think that there is a lot of confusing caused in these discussions by the term "drag".

Some seem to use it for any time men dress up as women in theater, or at least when it is a comedic or exaggerated example of that.

But in terms of things like Drag Queen story-times, they are talking about something much more specific - male homosexual drag, a type of performance that is completely tied up in male sexuality and how it interacts with gender norms, and also typically involves performances in clubs with a lot of drugs and sex involved. Also related closely to burlesque.

It's worth noting that the connection to male homosexuality is the reason some wanted to bring this into children's spaces - its seen as a diversity initiative. It is not the kind of male performers dressing up as women to be funny, panto type of drag.

With the Teletubbies, apparently. And this:

twitter.com/mrandyngo/status/1657872918184087553?s=46&t=WHoOZ_3Kv5G6-FyQuvE0LQ

"A girl in a stroller at the Los Angeles drag and sex convention sits next to a large pink dildo that doubles as a drink container with a straw."

I'm sure @TeaKlaxon will be able to explain why that's fine if you understand it properly.

Holy mackerel.

That is not good. Not good, I tell you.

Fucking hell - grooming in plain sight 🤬

If DQSH were truly about the positives of "being different" and "providing imaginative role models" then we'd also have Male Nurse Story Hour, Female Firefighter Story Hour, Woman in STEM Story Hour, Wheelchair User Story Hour, Visually Impaired Person Story Hour (read in Braille), Out Butch Lesbian Story Hour and so on. But we never do, do we? It's always fucking drag.

And honestly, those would be kind of lame programs. Kids don't care and probably won't remember that they had a male nurse read them a story.

I asked a friend of mine who was into this kind of thing how he would feel about something promoted as "Jewish Story Time" or "Male story time" or even "black person story time" - He said no, of course not.

The underlying problem is this bizarre idea that somehow it is the job of libraries to be pushing certain social justice causes in their programming, rather than giving access and exposure to literature and information in a fairly politically and socially neutral way.

Or that children need to be artificially introduced to all these groups of people, and have it pointed out to them in some way that these individuals belong to specific groups. Rather than meeting all kinds of people just be going about life, and meeting them as themselves rather than representatives of some identity group.

How come drag performers aren't clamouring to perform in care homes and retirement villages? Always places with children, oddly enough...

Lots of parents gave their kids nightmares by letting their children see The Woman in Black because it had Daniel Radcliffe in it. Should we ban Daniel Radcliffe?

Well,since you asked so nicely.........

Christ, that's just absolutely idiotic. You know you don't have to say such ridiculous things. If you agree that what was shown in the picture is wrong, say so. It's free! But silly misdirection only makes you look completely disingenuous.

Should we ban Daniel Radcliffe?

Fine by me!

Drag queens are parodying what being an adult female human being might be. Nobody is parodying, at this level, or to children, what parodying being an adult male human being might be.

This is the difference, whatever other benefits some believe drag queen performances might have. Yet it is now the progressives who promote the ridiculing of the female sex, one half of all human beings, and those who oppose this are seen as right-wingers.

I think the progressives and trans activists who promote drag queen performances for children should own up to this.

Agree these men are not any kind of role model for girls, in particular.

Woman in Black is fucking scary. No child should see it. It's called parenting.
Don't expose your child to mind mangling terror. Don't expose your kid to blokes who dress up as sexualised parodies of women.

It’s really odd - it’s almost like they’re purposely seeking out places specifically for children and then trying to normalise their behaviour. ‘Come along children, nothing to be frightened of, see what a lovely man I am, just wanting to play games with you and have some fun…’

We’ve seen it all before.

Hiding in plain sight, always the most cunning move.
Not to mention I bet they are never asked for any kind of police clearance because too special and discrimination.

Should we ban Daniel Radcliffe?

Yes, he can fuck off too.