Storytelling sessions run by drag queens is promoting gender fluidity to kids say critics
Drag queens running storytelling sessions in local libraries across Sydney to promote “inclusion and diversity” has critics concerned it is promoting gender fluidity to preschoolers.
NSW
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EXCLUSIVE: Drag queens are running storytelling sessions with preschoolers in local libraries to promote “inclusion and diversity” — but critics are concerned it promotes gender fluidity to children and the events could be held in schools.
The “drag story hour” has become a flashpoint of controversy overseas, and previous events held in Melbourne and Wollongong sparked protests.
It’s now being run at municipal libraries in Sydney’s south at Kogarah and in inner-city Erskineville, while drag performers have also made visits to Timezone arcades, including at Miranda Fair.
Proponents, including celebrity drag queens Charisma Belle and Hannah Conda say it’s a “fun” and “inclusive” way of creating a “safe space to ask questions”.
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“Drag story time is about opening a dialogue between parents and their children,” Ms Belle, said.
“It gives a voice to some kids who might be feeling different but that are unable to express themselves properly.
“We do things like this and visits to Timezone for several reasons. Firstly, to entertain but also because visibility is so important. Part of my job as a drag performer is to educate and challenge the misinformation that is spread about my community.”
A Georges River Council spokeswoman said the drag story telling would continue “due to popular demand” and that parents were “expected to be in attendance.”
“These events provide families with an opportunity to experience positive and inclusive role models in a fun environment, and have proved to be enormously popular with our community,” she said.
Upper House MP Mark Latham is calling on Education Minister Sarah Mitchell to issue a directive to prevent NSW from following the overseas trend for it to be carried out in schools.
He is concerned it is a “backdoor” way of reintroducing the controversial “Safe Schools” program, which promoted gender fluidity.
“The drag queen program is not appropriate for young people in schools,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for young people in municipal libraries.”
He placed several questions on notice in the Legislative Council about the issue, with Ms Mitchell responding by saying principals, in consultation with school communities, made program decisions about programs.
“Given the way the drag queen program is pushed in municipal libraries, it’s highly appropriate for the Education Minister to issue a general directive through NSW schools they must not be part of school libraries,” Mr Latham said.
“Surely the ministers of government should have some control over what’s taught in schools.”
Ms Belle said the sessions were “truly for everyone.”
“The books we read are about every one’s differences, we cover all different family dynamics, from same sex parents to divorced parents and even adopted families,” she said.
Originally published as Storytelling sessions run by drag queens is promoting gender fluidity to kids say critics
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