Drag Queen Story Time

I am so tired of all the Haters and even more tired of the media coverage of the Haters; though, I suppose I might be a little glad, because thanks to that relentless coverage, Drag Queen Story Time became highlighted on my radar. Otherwise, I might have missed an excellent activity for my grandchildren in the week between school ending and summer camp beginning when their mothers, shockingly, still had to go to work every day. Thank you Andorra Branch of the Philadelphia Free Public Library.

I did have a concern about the event that the “Moms for Liberty” who, perhaps if they actually read books, could come up with a catchy name, failed to raise. My question, would Drag Queen Story Time be interesting to a 6-year-old and a 10-year-old, or would it be geared to toddlers? I needn’t have worried. Our Drag Queen, Brittany Lynn, read books and lead activities suitable for all ages, including adults. Brittany Lynn began with the book, One, by Kathryn Otoshi. I have a copy of it at home, a gift to each of the members of the New Jersey Statewide Anti-Bullying Commission from Pat Wright, our chair, when we finished our report. This was back when bullying was frowned upon rather than an adult national pastime.

Pat is an amazing educational leader. A former teacher, principal, and superintendent, she spent much of her career as the Director of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. Character Education might be her middle name. Fortunately, most of our public schools continue the good work of developing well read, responsible and caring students despite the many obstacles placed in the way of teachers and administrators.

The Haters did succeed in making Drag Queen Story Time a Philadelphia news event. In addition to the dozens and dozens of young children, parents and caregivers in the fantastically rainbow decorated reading room, there was a TV news crew. Great publicity for the library and for Brittany Lynn. Many youngsters became TV celebrities that day and several adults, mostly men, were interviewed by the reporter. All expressed unabashed enthusiasm for Drag Queen Story Time.

As a child, I spent many hours after school at the Inwood Branch of the New York Public Library. When my mom was looking for me, she would telephone the library. The librarians knew me and were always helpful and kind. The Philadelphia libraries are equally great. They offer all sorts of summer activities for children. Each child at Drag Queen Story time received a sticker and a book. I kvelled watching my grandchildren sit on the library floor and read the book to each other.  They are both participating in the library’s summer reading program.  The library deserves much gratitude for its many programs and for celebrating Pride Month enthusiastically.

Thanks most of all to Drag Queen Brittany Lynn. There’s a Sesame Street book in which Grover tries to figure out who is a hero, and, in the way of all things Grover, doesn’t get it right the first few times. In the face of all the haters, being a Drag Queen is heroic. Teaching children to be kind and understanding is heroic. Reading thoughtful books to children is heroic. Showing up at a public library should not be a scary thing, but showing up anywhere can be scary for a Drag Queen. And some people are just mean. Brittany Lynn is brave and a hero. I applaud her.

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/drag-queen-story-time-comes-to-philadelphia-libraries/#

Don’t forget to check out the ALTE website, https://www.altegettingoldtogether.com, and Facebook Group. Happy Pride.