Story time involving drag queens has become a popular program across the U.S. There’s even a popular program called Drag Queen Story Hour, where drag queens promote diversity to children while engaging them with reading. It’s a sweet gesture to show children that we’re all unique in our own ways, but the joy of reading brings us all together. However, one California TikToker obviously has a problem with it, like so many other bigots in America. She’s quickly schooled by none other than an actual drag queen.
Drag queen reading hour at many libraries is supposed to be a fun and informative event. Unfortunately, conservatives have made it sound like something evil. There is something innocent about any adult choosing to spend their time reading to children. But a TikToker in California, @ohnoitsmaddiejoy, thinks differently. In her TikTok, she makes it sound like drag queens are reading to children because of some sinister underlying reason. She asks, “The question is no longer ‘should drag queens read to kids?’ It’s ‘Why do they even want to read to kids?’ Why are kids the audience that they’re seeking out?”
Drag Queen @themissdemeanor answers Maddie Joy’s bigoted and unfair question. Miss Demeanor stares into the camera as she says into a microphone, “Because kids can’t read.” She then turns the microphone to full blast as she restates, “Because kids can’t read!” Miss Demeanor then lets the mic drop, showing people like Maddie Joy that her question is ridiculous and mean-spirited. She really has no business confronting people who literally just want to bring joy to children’s lives. Maddie can take her bigoted and hateful opinion elsewhere. Either that, or else she can step up and read to children at libraries herself if she doesn’t like it!
One commenter added to the conversation, “Librarian here. Not only does reading to kids help with their literacy, it also develops fundamental pathways for speech, pattern recognition, sequencing, and social awareness. Kids love bright, animated, energetic, colorful readers, and I can’t think of a better person for the job than a drag queen.” They go on to add, “Being read to…Makes. People. Happy.” This is all that matters. When kids are happy and learning something, it’s never a bad idea.
