On March 19, New York Attorney General James, together with a broad coalition of advocacy organizations and elected leaders, stood proudly in unwavering support of the LGBTQ+ community and hosted a first-of-its-kind Drag Story Hour Read-A-Thon for families in New York City. Nearly 200 guests enjoyed four back-to-back Story Hours hosted by the Drag Kings, Queens, and Royalty of Drag Story Hour NYC at The Center, which has been a home and resource hub for the LGBTQ+ community and allies since its founding in 1983. Attorney General James was joined by local elected officials, including Assemblymembers Tony Simone and Grace Lee, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Council Members Erik Bottcher, Shekar Krishnan, and Crystal Hudson.
“The recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ protests, rhetoric, and policies has left New Yorkers — myself included — devastated and disappointed. But I know better than anyone that when the choice is between love and hate, between joy and venom, New Yorkers will always choose love, and New Yorkers will always choose joy,” said Attorney General James. “I am proud to have been joined by my colleagues in advocacy and government today in celebration of the love, joy, and family fun that Drag Story Hour brings to our communities. Hate has no home in New York, and I will always fight to ensure our LGBTQ+ siblings’ rights are upheld and defended.”
Attorney General James hosted today’s Drag Story Hour Read-A-Thon to condemn hate and combat rampant disinformation. Recent months have seen a rise in homophobic protests and fearmongering surrounding Drag Story Hour, and disgraceful harassment and vitriol directed at the LGBTQ+ community, advocates, and leaders such as New York City Council Members Erik Bottcher and Shekar Krishnan. With this event, Attorney General James and her colleagues and co-sponsors are ensuring New Yorkers know that everyone — regardless of sexuality, gender, race, or socioeconomic status — is celebrated, protected, and welcomed in New York.
This event was made possible and proudly co-sponsored by Drag Story Hour, The Center, the Pride Center of Staten Island, Destination Tomorrow, the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, the Queens Public Library, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, State Assemblymembers Deborah Glick, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Daniel O’Donnell, and Tony Simone, and New York City Council Members Erik Bottcher, Tiffany Cabán, Crystal Hudson, Shekar Krishnan, Chi Ossé, and Lynn Schulman.
“Drag storytellers, and the organizations that support them, are advancing a love of diversity, personal expression, and literacy that are core to what our city embraces,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Stories don’t just teach children to love reading, but help them understand people who are different. And at a time when our LGBTQ+ communities are under increased attack across this country, we must use stories to educate. The goal is not only for our children to be academically smart, but also emotionally intelligent. I thank Attorney General James for hosting this event that clearly says New York City is the place where you can be yourself and love who you want.”
“Conservative leaders from across the country, and unfortunately here in our city, are deploying bigotry and hatred against the LGBTQ+ community, marginalizing and demonizing drag performers particularly,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “Drag story hours have been a fun, engaging way to get kids excited about reading and learning, and in the face of relentless, unfounded, attacks they have also become a means of standing up to a hateful agenda of false outrage and those who are trying to advance it. I thank the Attorney General for hosting this event and showing that in New York, we reject these attacks and embrace the love, acceptance, inclusivity, celebration, expression, and education at the core of these drag programs and the broader community.”
“Drag Story Hour offers important programming that promotes inclusivity, literacy, and joy for our youth,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “New York City’s diversity is our strength. Together with Attorney General James, the Council is proud to support community-based programs that instill an interest in reading and storytelling with the values of acceptance and understanding.”
“My two young daughters have been going to Drag Queen Story Hour for years with their two dads. They like it for the simple reason that it’s fun and interesting — there’s nothing more complicated than that,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “Those who are attempting to use Drag Queen Story Hour to stir up controversy and vitriol directed at the LGBTQ community and specifically drag artists should be ashamed of themselves. I appreciate Attorney General James for sponsoring this story hour at the LGBTQ Center and giving parents and kids the opportunity to be exposed to books.”
“Drag Story Hour is one of our most popular programs and a fun and positive experience for families. Children love hearing stories and singing songs with the performers who dress in bright colors and sparkles,” said The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library. “Our librarians work closely with DSH to select age-appropriate books in English and other languages. We are proud to offer story times for babies and older children that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and introduce a new generation to the joy of reading.”
Supporters and opponents of the Drag Queen Story Hour were separated by police on opposite sides of the street outside of the library. Several members of The Proud Boys were outside and one was arrested, while another few memers of the group got into a fight with supporters, leaving one Proud Boy injured, and upon leaving he said, “I came here to help people, not get the Shit beat out of me.”
Several members of the Orthodox Jewish community were also protesting in opposition to the event.
The two takeaways that many have from this event are: The parents in attendance voluntarily took their children to this event, and the confrontations outside could have ended badly.
For more information, please visit gaycenter.org.
