Boston Public Library to Host Dozens of ‘Pride’ Events for Kids, Including 19 Drag Queen Story Hours
The Boston Public Library scheduled 19 drag queen story hours across its branches throughout the month of June, most of which are designed for children ages 18 months to five years old, according to the library’s website.
Hosts include drag queen Ms. Patty, who is leading 17 of the scheduled story hours, Rose Quartz, who is reading at one event, and Just JP, who is hosting “Bilingual Drag Story Time with Just JP/Hora del cuento bilingüe con Just JP.” According to the event description, Just JP’s story time is for “children ages 3 and up with an adult.”
“A bilingual story hour celebrating Pride Month that raises awareness of gender diversity, promotes self-acceptance, and builds empathy through an enjoyable literary experience,” the description reads. “This program will be led by the wonderful Just JP who will sing songs and read picture books in English and Spanish.”
The Boston Public Library is hosting a plethora of pride-related events this June, many of which are geared toward young children.
Other events include “All Ages Story Time: Pride,” which will “celebrate all kinds of families with a Pride-themed story time, followed by a craft,” according to the event description. There will also be a pride-themed kid concert titled “Kids’ Concert with The Grumpytime Club,” focusing on “highlighting themes of inclusivity, social justice, Earth stewardship, and LGBTQ youth/family pride.”
Kids can also “Make fidgets, keychain decorations, and wearable art with an LGBTQ+ Pride theme” at library-sponsored craft nights in June.
Drag queen story hours began in 2015 in San Francisco, and have stirred up intense controversy with parents and parents’ rights activists. The creator of the concept Michelle Tea, now runs a nonprofit under the name “Drag Story Hour,” where groups can go to hire “queens” for their “literary and creative programming.”
Some states have taken measures to restrict or prohibit drag queen performances in the presence of children.
Tennessee, for example, passed the “Adult Entertainment Act,” banning “adult cabaret performances” from public areas where children may be present. At least 14 other bills have been proposed or passed in states like Arizona, Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.
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States like Florida took it even a step further, passing the “Parental Rights in Education Act.” Referred to by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, it bans classroom teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity.
About 60 percent of adults said drag queen story hours are not appropriate for children, according to a 2022 Rasmussen Reports poll.
Boston’s mayor, Michelle Wu, has long been supportive of LGBT events and parades.
Just last month, Wu was accused of designating city funds for LGBT migrants, offering $500 in “wellness benefits” through a local advocacy group. The program, called “Belonging Matters,” allegedly intended to use city funds to put on yoga art, and recreational events, specifically for LGBT migrants in Boston. A city spokesperson told Fox News the organization was given a $7,500 voucher to support mental health services, and none of the money was intended to fund the advertised recreational programming.
Wu, who has attended Boston pride parades donning a rainbow sash, broadened the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA2S+ Advancement during her tenure. The office coordinates Boston’s pride events during the month of June.
Boston Public Library openly promotes various other pro-LGBT resources, specifically for minors, on its website. There is a staff-created book list titled “Children’s Books for Lesbian Visibility Week,” and a “LGBTQ+ Youth & Adult Resources Guide.” The library uses the hashtag “#BPLPride” with its published resources.
The Boston Public Library did not immediately respond to National Review‘s request for comment.
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