Family Fun: Reading With a Drag Queen at the Library

As a big fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, I have a greater affinity for men in dresses than the average gal. Drag, which is a critical component of LGBT history and culture, has not been mainstream for long, but it is quickly infiltrating the American lexicon. Slang like “throwing shade” and “YAAASSSS QUEEN” come from drag culture, and even more drag-themed shows are set to air on cable: a wedding-themed show in which queens gussy up a mousy bride for her big day is on TLC’s schedule. It’s true that most drag performances, which take place primarily at gay bars, are not intended for children. But the community has been making active efforts to show the world that queens are people to. This has led to a trend of family-friendly drag events nationwide; one of which that has caught on virally is reading time with drag queens at local libraries.

Now, Philly is jumping on the bandwagon. Montgomery County-based drag queen Annie Christ will be starting a drag story time with kids of all ages at the Lansdale Public Library’s Drag Queen Story Time event at 10:30 am on Sundays. Expect it to be just like a regular special-guest story time, like when the mayor or another local celebrity comes to read books to the little ones, except with a lot more padding, lashes, and glitter makeup. The books are regular children’s books, generally with an “it’s great to be you” message. At Annie Christ’s first story time, she read Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed and Sparkle Boy. Afterwards, mingling commenced along with a coloring activity and juice boxes/pretzels for everyone.

There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the idea of drag queens reading to children, mostly from misguided and intolerant bigots who don’t understand that there is nothing inherently sexual or dangerous about a drag queen. In fact, most kids love them. So celebrate diversity, and take your kid to the library this Sunday!