The owner of a Maine bookstore says she wants people to bring children to a so-called “Drag Queen Story Hour” she’s hosting.
If you think there’s something wrong with that, she says you’re a “pervert.”
Ellen Richmond, the owner of the Children’s Book Cellar in Waterville, posted to Facebook that she would be kicking off the month of June, “Pride Month,” by hosting an event where men dressed like woman, aka in drag, read to kids.
“I hope some people will bring children,” Richmond added.
Drag queen story hours first began in 2015 in San Francisco, but since then, they’ve become increasingly popular all over the country. There’s even multiple nonprofits dedicated to holding the bizarre events.
Supporters view them as a way to show “allyship” with people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender.
“DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models,” a website touting the shows says.
Although Maine has a bustling community of drag performers, drag shows in the state are typically not marketed to children.
Richmond’s request that people bring children to watch men dressed like women read books drew some criticism on social media.
But Richmond wasn’t about to let some right-wing Twitter commenters cow her.
“I’m becoming more and more convinced that the folks opposed to DQSH are repressed and are the perverts themselves,” Richmond wrote in response.
“The language they use (!) and the stuff they suggest (!!) are really disturbing,” she said. “Who else but a pervert could even think of this stuff?”
Richmond said “someone dressing up” and reading a book was “innocuous.”
In 2019, a similar event Richmond held turned out a crowd of protesters who demonstrated in support of drag performers reading to children.
Why not exotic dancer story hour, too? Both are for adult entertainment. Both are flamboyant and playing role. The major difference is far less exotic dancers have been convicted on pedophelia charges than drag queens.
Tatiana Mala Niña, Brett Blomme, Brice Patric Ryschon Williams, Jeweller Darren Moore- all drag queens, all heavily involved in events geared towards children, all convicted with acts of pedophilia and/or child pornography. But yes, lets officiate a way for these sick “humans” to be near children. Grooming at its finest.
Well said Angie, the word bigot no longer scares me. But strengthens my resolves to protect my child from these people
These people are a joke!
How much would you like to bet she (Ellen Richmond) would be “vocally opposed” and not allow someone to come in and read a bible to the children.
It is just defying a social norm that men and women dress in certain ways. Being a double women can wear pants but woe to the man who wear dresses and skirts. It would’ve been better had it not been the case I certainly wish that.