It was very well-attended by children and their parents, as well as members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. It was in connection with the North to Shore Festival. I recently hosted a Drag Queen Story Hour at Asbury Book Cooperative, a bookstore in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The law was later tossed out by a federal judge – at least for now. The state Senate passed the bill along party lines to limit “ adult cabaret performances” on public property so as to shield them from the view of children, threatening violators with a misdemeanor and repeat offenders with a felony. Tennessee drag law unconstitutional: A judge ruled Tennessee's drag law unconstitutional. Bill Lee signed a bill into law that would restrict public drag show performances, making his state the first to do so this year. In Tennessee, the state has gone so far as to enact legislation criminalizing some drag performances. When will drag performers stop being vilified? Lawmakers in more than a dozen states have proposed laws to outlaw drag in public or at businesses that admit people under 18. Drag performers aren't dangerous, but these state laws are It can help them find themselves – just like it did for me. Hopefully, those opposed to the drag community and the treasures that we offer the world will find a way to get it together and stop coming for us.ĭrag isn't a danger to kids. I don’t have any children, but I still wanted to serve in that capacity because the youth of today need our help, guidance and support where they can get it. What kind of lesson is that teaching children?įrom 2018-20 I served as a board member on the Asbury Park Board of Education, and I was likely the first active drag queen ever elected to a school board in New Jersey.
In fact, it’s a travesty, because due to their continued protests they are forcing children to see others as less-than, or people to be avoided. Once those against us cause the ruckus with their protesting and dissent, they are forcing the young children to become confused – and that’s not right. When young children are at drag queen story hours, they aren’t seeing Miss Savannah (or countless other drag queens) as men “dressed resembling a girl” they are seeing a person reading to them. Those opposing the drag community and every treasure that we bring to the world obviously need to learn those lessons as well. Young children must learn a lot of things at an early age, and one of the most important lessons they need to learn is about love, acceptance and compassion. Seuss, “The Not-so Perfect Penguin” by Steve Smallman, or “The Star of the Zoo” by Virginie Zurcher and Daniel Howarth – just a name a few of my favorites − those against the drag community are doing a disservice. And by keeping drag performers from even reading a book such as “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Keeping young minds closed is never a good thing. Why? Because those individuals might have to finally conclude that they, themselves, are the problem. If they were to do so, they might not be able to look at themselves. This is just not true, and I’m praying that these individuals who are so against drag performers, creating such chaos in our community, finally take a good look in the mirror. These story hours have attracted the attention and ire of right-wing extremists and conservative parents and politicians, some insisting that the events appeal to pedophiles. This is just not the case, and trying so hard to keep young children away from this form of entertainment is doing a disservice to young minds. My opposition as a drag performer is the false assumption that young children would be harmed in some way by attending a Drag Queen Story Hour, or other events featuring drag performers. Those innocent bystanders are the voices of our future generation – the youth. And this battle being thrust upon us has too many innocent bystanders who could be damaged in the struggles. The members of the drag community are under fire, and it’s a pointless war we are forced to fight. I know that’s a hot button issue these days, as there are states that are trying their best to halt my favorite performance spaces.
I’ve facilitated and hosted dozens of drag shows, drag bingos, drag brunches, drag trivia nights, drag karaoke events and tea dances.Īmong all those performances, I gladly admit that my favorite performances are center stage, right in front of young children, reading books to them during Drag Queen Story Hour. While in drag, I’ve performed at many restaurants, bars, nightclubs, galas, benefits, fundraisers and festivals. I have been a drag entertainer for more than six years now. My drag persona is Miss Savannah Georgia – New Jersey’s favorite old-school glamour drag queen diva.
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