A small group showed up to protest Drag Story Hour in West Hollywood against a larger group of over 50 people rallying in defense of the event, which took place on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the West Hollywood Library. The opposing group dwindled to one person standing by himself on San Vicente Boulevard while holding a sign that read, “leave kids alone”.
The group BAMN (By Any Means Necessary) gathered support in short notice after learning that right-wing groups planned to protest the event. The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department sent a notice to community members informing of the two planned protests that were scheduled to start at 9am, leading up to Drag Story Hour, which started at 11am.
Rally defending Drag Story Hour in West Hollywood – WEHO TIMES
Rally defending Drag Story Hour in West Hollywood – WEHO TIMES
The protest was peaceful for the most part in the beginning. At one point one of the protesters tried to enter the Drag Story Hour space and he was rushed by supporters of the event, which led to a ruckus inside the library.
A video later surfaced on twitter by journalist Samuel Braslow, which shows the one opposing protester getting punched in the face while Sheriff deputies stood by and did nothing.
The activist continues trying to pass by the group of counter protesters. A counter protester punches him; the sheriffs deputy only says “stop fighting” before walking away.
The activist then runs into the library instead of leaving, contrary to what he told deputies. pic.twitter.com/lwnjV2lLjM
— Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) April 15, 2023
The group Free Mom Hugs showed up to hopefully de-escalate any potential violence. “We’re out here because sometimes our presence, our loving supporting presence is called for,” said Valencia Foster, the State Chapter Leader for Free Mom Hugs of Southern California. “Someone reached out to us to ask if we’d come out to make sure that we provide that positive presence in light of protestors trying to shut down Drag Story Hour. What is happening with the current legislation is so hurtful, so we’re here to bring positivity and let people know that they matter and that drag is an art. Drag is entertainment. We support it.”
Valencia Foster – Free Mom Hugs – WEHO TIMES
Free Mom Hugs – WEHO TIMESDrag Queen Pickle, the host of Drag Story Hour, came out to try to scale back the protest away from the children who would be attending the event. She wanted it to be a positive experience for them and was afraid that it would be traumatizing for them if a fight broke out during the event. The advocates moved away from the library and stayed on San Vicente Boulevard. They shouted at the one protestor who did not seem to care that he was outnumbered.
“It’s always wonderful to get support from the community.” Pickle told WEHO TIMES. “What we’re really looking for is support from families and bringing their children to this community. We like to avoid large scenes with detractors who are really looking for their moment. While we appreciate the support, it’s actually better to engage with the program and attend the event and being a part of it.”
Pickle before Drag Story Hour West Hollywood – WEHO TIMESDrag Story Hour returned to the City of West Hollywood on April 15, 2023. The series of story time readings by drag performers for children of all ages is presented by the City of West Hollywood in partnership with the West Hollywood Library.
Drag Story Hour was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. In 2017, the City’s Arts Division funded the first Drag Story Hour at the West Hollywood branch of the LA County Public Library. The West Hollywood series is produced by Pickle the Drag Queen.
2023 Drag Story Hour
Saturday mornings at 11 am:
April 15
June 17
August 19
October 7
December 16
All readings take place in the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd.
Editor’s note. This piece was updated to include video footage of a protestor getting punched in the face to conclude that the protests were not as peaceful as it first seemed.
Quit your lying. Their disgusting behavior in front of children is all over the news. Just a few articles are listed below of multiple incidents. Most of them put gay peoples lives in danger because their behavior makes gay people look like groomers and pedophiles. I’ve got a lifetime of experience, more than you, of being around drag shows and performers and know that most don’t belong around children.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11317925/Shocking-footage-family-friendly-drag-queen-sees-performer-spreading-legs-kids.html
https://nypost.com/2022/10/18/video-of-drag-queen-gyrating-next-to-child-sparks-backlash/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-O4bj4KrQWc
https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/librarys-drag-queen-story-hour-strip-show-goes-viral
https://news.yahoo.com/drag-queen-straddles-girl-north-211653395.html
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqye8cKMywh/
Drag is a form of adult entertainment. Leave children out of it. Most don’t have any problem with drag performers. Bring children into it…you gotta problem.
It’s not the “Drag Queens” that parents gay and straight oppose, its the immoral, disgusting, oversexed, and debased behavior that Drag Queens, who never will have or raise children, show in front of children that is actually against the law. It’s disgusting. If they can behave fine! But being a member of the gay community I know that they can’t help themselves and think their obsession with sex and vulgarity should be shared with 5 year olds. Even most gays don’t support them except for the militant lesbians and the gays that hang out in sex clubs that think that… Read more »
All they did was read a book to children WITH their parents present. There is nothing disgusting or immoral happening at these events. They aren’t out at a bar at 11pm or whatever you’ve made up.
Also- many drag queens do have kids. Mrs. Kasha Davis, Tempest Dujour, Tyra Sanchez, Nicole Paige Brooks, Tamisha Iman etc
Maybe do some research before speaking about something you know nothing about.
Well, there are plenty of videos that have circulated online indicating that some of these events for kids–not necessarily just at libraries–are in fact sexual. But that question aside, do you think it would be appropriate to have leatherman story hour, assuming the leathermen do not become sexually explict but are dressed in their standard fetish wear?
Drag Queens are not inherently sexual. They aren’t a fetish. It’s a type of creative art outlet.
Take for instance dancing: It can be powerful, artistic and emotive…it can also be inappropriate for young people (strip dancing)
Would you want to ban dancers from performing in front of young people?
I think its more the queer activists, radical they/thems, and woke white heterosexual moms that are into drag for kids! The “sex club gays” are pretty apathetic about the whole issue, I suspect.
The drag queens should be reading to young children for numerous reasons. Most parents have no problem with this and have the choice to bring their children to such an event.
Let’s get more drag queens to read to children.
The drag queens should not be reading to young children for numerous reasons. Most parents would never bring their children to such an event.
Let’s get authors and other adults to read to children if there’s a need.