Boston Public Library’s Pride calendar is stacked with roughly 19 drag story hours for young children, and the blowback started before the first page was turned. The first reading is set for 10:30 a.m. Monday at the West End branch, with additional sessions scheduled across neighborhood locations through June.
What’s On The Calendar
The library’s We Are Pride listing on Boston Public Library details a mix of story hours, sing-alongs and family programs at branches across the city. Among the featured readers: Ms. Patty, Rose Quartz and Just JP. According to the library, events begin June 1 at the West End branch and include a bilingual Drag Story Time at the Connolly branch on June 9. The lineup also appears in a citywide Pride roundup from GBH.
How Many Events And Who’s Reading
Local reporting counts roughly 19 Drag Queen Story Time sessions on the BPL calendar, most of them geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. As reported by Mass Daily News, Ms. Patty appears on many of the listings, while the bilingual hour is promoted as a chance to “raise awareness of gender diversity” and build empathy among young attendees.
Critics Push Back
Conservative and faith-based groups have slammed the decision to feature drag performers in children’s programming, arguing the events are inappropriate for young audiences. C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League, told the Boston Herald he viewed the story hours as a “demonic assault on the innocence of children,” a choice of words that shows just how inflamed the rhetoric has become.
Library supporters and event backers counter that the drag story hours are about literacy, visibility and making sure families who want LGBTQ-inclusive programming can find it at their local branch, a theme echoed in Pride listings and related coverage.
Context: A National Flashpoint
Drag Story Hour events have turned into a national political flashpoint in recent years. Several Republican-led states have passed laws restricting drag performances in front of minors, according to Fox News. Libraries elsewhere have reported protests, heightened security concerns and, in some cases, cancellations, a pattern tracked in professional library reporting and updates from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).
What To Know Before You Go
The Boston Public Library says it offers a broad range of programs to reflect the city’s diverse communities and that parents and caregivers can decide which events fit their families. The library’s Pride materials include age guidance and program descriptions for each session. For the latest event times, branch locations and any safety advisories, patrons can check the BPL Pride page and the online events calendar listed on Boston Public Library.
