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It’s a balmy afternoon in a suburb of Kansas City. Flowers are in full bloom, worshipping the solar. Standing on the entrance to a nondenominational Christian church, two individuals stand vigilant. They’re wearing black, holding black parasols. Their outfits are frilly, glowing, and their faces are painted white. One of them has a walkie-talkie. They’re standing guard for a Drag Story Hour. If you wander the grounds of the church, you’ll discover extra pairs identical to them, retaining watch and checking in with each other.
This is a unhappy a part of the fact wherein we stay. Drag queens, kings, and drag story hours are the victims of disinformation campaigns and bigoted laws. Talking heads are throwing round phrases like “grooming,” not even realizing what these phrases imply. This begs the query: What does a Drag Story Hour actually seem like?
Welcome to Drag Story Hour
I don’t have kids myself, so I’d by no means attended a Drag Story Hour earlier than. Drag exhibits? Absolutely. I’ve even carried out alongside drag queens and kings as a part of a number of burlesque and selection exhibits. I couldn’t properly write this with out witnessing one in particular person, so my spouse and I drove throughout city to a native church. Let me inform you, the place was hopping. We arrived a jiffy earlier than the scheduled begin time, and as we have been handed door prize tickets, I observed the large room was already full. Children have been gathered round one among two craft tables. They have been portray, coloring, and excitedly grabbing little satisfaction flags.
A big snacks desk was arrange on the opposite aspect of the room, kids and adults alike loading up little plates of charcuterie, cookies, and little plastic cups of soda. The room was already practically standing room solely.
The crowd stunned me a bit. I anticipated loads of kids and their dad and mom. Maybe some fellow drag queens. There have been loads of individuals who appeared to be grandparent age, too, all sitting close to the again home windows in order to not impede the views of the kids down in entrance. As you’ll count on, half the gang have been sporting varied satisfaction shirts, together with my very own intersex tank high. “God is Nonbinary” was a widespread shirt theme.
Let The Stories Begin
A member of the church took up the microphone, thanked everybody for attending, and browse a letter from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, thanking the church for the invitation, although she was not in a position to attend. “Thank you for all you do for our community,” the letter mentioned. Then the primary reader took a seat within the giant, throne-like chair.
Andy Anarchy (they/them), learn Moo Bird! and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Next was Freddy Mac, who learn You Are Special. Then Sister Dee Compose of the City of Fountains Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence took the throne and browse It Feels Good to Be Yourself. Andy and Freddy took turns once more, studying Penguin’s Big Adventure and What’s So Terrible About Swallowing an Apple Seed?, respectively.
Most of those tales hovered round a central theme: loving your self precisely as you’re. The kids have been enthralled, laughing and ooh-ing in any respect the best moments. The readers did some enjoyable voices, and spoke earlier than and between every ebook, speaking about why they selected them and why they liked them so.
The studying concluded; the occasion’s organizers invited all the kids as much as discuss concerning the work that they had made. My personal 7-year-old nephew gushed about his painted coronary heart, even when it was troublesome to listen to because it was his first time utilizing a microphone. He didn’t know to challenge. Finally, the door prizes have been handed out, and the gang started to dissipate.
Just Another Drag Story Hour
This is fairly commonplace for a Drag Story Hour. Children and their households collect, individuals in drag learn kids’s tales crammed with optimistic messages, and good instances are had by all. Some kids may ask questions on gender, and that’s a good factor. These conversations have to occur in order that kids will be accepting and understanding of themselves and their friends. My personal nephew didn’t have any questions, however he did suppose Andy Anarchy’s purple mohawk was fairly cool. He appreciated Sister Dee Compose’s make-up.
If you suppose my expertise was uncommon, simply try these movies of different Drag Story Hours:
Or possibly these Instagram feeds from some wonderful drag performers who learn at Drag Story Hours:
The areas range, possibly the snacks or extracurriculars change, however the core stays the identical. Under all of the make-up are individuals who have fought to simply be themselves, and right here they’re, being themselves with kids. At a completely child-appropriate occasion.
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