As much as we say, “it gets better,” it is undeniably a challenging time for LGBTQ+ children and their allies. With schools and libraries facing backlash for providing resources and stories about the spectrum of gender and sexual identity, queer youth risk being marginalized amid a push for heteronormativity—often manifesting as homophobia and transphobia.
To uplift LGBTQ+ youth, librarians, educators, and community organizers can look to those who have long been at the forefront of the queer rights movement: drag performers.
Founded in 2015 by writer Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions, alongside Julián Delgado Lopera and Virgie Tovar, Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is exactly what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Learn more about DQSH's history here.
With chapters across the United States and around the globe, Drag Queen Story Hour offers family-friendly events that are inclusive, entertaining, and educational. While many associate drag with nightlife or club culture, DQSH’s “drag queens, kings, and creatures” tailor their performances for diverse audiences. Drag art is not inherently sexual; rather, it plays with gender to highlight its fluidity and contradictions. DQSH envisions “a world where kids can learn from LGBTQ+ herstories and experiences, fostering self-love, celebrating the fabulous diversity in their communities, and advocating for each other.”
Despite this positive impact, DQSH events have faced protests from conservative and religious organizations, such as during an April 9 event at Ohio State University. These claims, rooted in homophobia and transphobia, reflect a misunderstanding of biology and the distinction between sex and gender. The irony lies in the fact that mainstream children's literature and films often depict heteronormative romance and sexuality without similar scrutiny. The conservative argument is less about protecting children and more about perpetuating discrimination against queer existence and joy.
Like all queer individuals, the performers at DQSH encounter discrimination and vitriol from those who misunderstand them—deliberately or otherwise. Tall Tales with True Queens, a short film directed by Kristina Budelis and Leandro Badalotti, showcases the DQSH mission and the performers’ dedication to fostering inclusion. Watch the film here.
“I believe that hate isn’t inherited, it’s taught,” says Ms. B, one of the program’s first performers in New York City. “If we can teach these kids to love and accept everybody, they’ll be the best generation we could ever hope for.”
The film captures the genuine reactions of those whose opinions matter most: the children. They express excitement over the diverse books the queens read, admiration for their extravagant outfits, and eagerness for the next story hour.
“They’re setting a great example of being different, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” says eleven-year-old Kennedy.
The work of DQSH in promoting inclusion through art, literature, and performance is vital for all children, helping them understand themselves and each other. Children's media plays a crucial role in identity formation, and every child deserves access to affirming stories in classrooms and libraries.
To learn more about hosting a virtual or in-person DQSH event, starting your own chapter, or exploring the variety of programming DQSH offers, visit Drag Queen Story Hour.
For a list of DQSH performers’ favorite queer-affirming children’s books, click here.
If you're looking for some drag queen library reads, get the picture book The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish Swish Swish here.
Make sure your patrons have plenty of seating by ordering a Large 38-inch Bean Bag Chair.