New York State Attorney General Letitia James will host a drag queen story hour open to families and children in New York City.
The Drag Story Hour Read-A-Thon begins at 10:30 AM at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center on West 13th Street.
James tweeted on March 10 her office is “proud” to host the event alongside the non-profit Drag Story Hour as well as “drag storytellers, community leaders, and elected officials.”
The event features four consecutive hour-long story hours, arts and crafts and other activities for child attendees and their parents.
“This event is being photographed and/or recorded and by attending this event your image may be used in photos and videos posted on the Attorney General’s social media page and/or by other media outlets in attendance,” the event’s online listing states.
The event's listing notes “this event is best suited for children up to age 12” but does not set a formal age restriction.
“We envision a world where kids can learn from LGBTQ+ stories and experiences to love themselves, celebrate the fabulous diversity in their communities, and stand up for what they believe in and each other,” says co-sponsor Drag Story Hour in its mission statement.
“DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models,” says the nonprofit. “In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves!”
Drag Story Hour wrote in a December 2022 Twitter post, “Any attempt to criminalize our work is rooted in tired homophobic and transphobic hate and misinformation.”
“We refuse to give in to people who are too bigoted and boring to comprehend our vision for a world in which every child can be safe fully expressing who they are,” the organization said.
James is an outspoken advocate for gay and transgender issues who has led a multiyear investigation into President Donald Trump. She objected online to the exclusion of the Pride Center of Staten Island from a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The nonprofit operates a national network of chapters that host story hours for children featuring drag performers. James also headed a coalition of more than 20 attorney generals who objected to a St. Johns County School Board requirement that obligated students to use restrooms that corresponded with their gender at birth.
During her 2018 campaign, James was endorsed by “several influential gay rights political clubs and elected officials,” according to The New York Daily News. This includes Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who is another co-sponsors for the Drag Story Hour event.
Other New York officials co-sponsoring the bill include Councilmembers Crystal Hudson, Chi Ossé, Erik Bottcher, Tiffany Caban, Shekar Krishnan, and Lynn Schulman; Assemblymembers Daniel O'Donnell, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, and Tony Simone; and State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
Additionally, the LGBTQ Center, Pride Center of Staten Island, Destination Tomorrow, Brooklyn Library, Queens Library, and the New York Public Library are also sponsoring the event.
