OUT & ABOUT

Why Drag Story Time Matters

GIULIANO D’ORAZIO

Greetings Queer Worcester [and beyond] - I want to talk about something that shouldn't even be up for debate: drag story time events. As you’ve probably heard, such events feature drag performers reading inclusive, affirming children's books to kids. It's a fun and positive way to introduce children to diversity, inclusivity, and acceptance. But unfortunately, right-wing attacks on these events have been increasing. While these events certainly deliver laughs and lighthearted fun, they’re also important opportunities for fostering feelings of belonging amongst queer youth and families. Full disclosure - I serve on the board of the queer-youth-serving organization, Love Your Labels, and we run a popular drag story time event here in Worcester in partnership with Redemption Rock Brewing Co.

Let me be frank: drag story time events are totally harmless to children. In fact, they're beneficial. According to research, exposing children to diverse identities from an early age can have a positive impact on their attitudes towards different groups, and can even reduce prejudice later in life. Drag story time events help to normalize diverse identities, and make it clear that it's okay to be one’s authentic self. Plus, they're just fun! Who doesn't love a cute story and a few sparkles? Every single drag story time I’ve attended has been filled with nothing but pure joy and family fun.

Unsurprisingly, some right-wing politicians and groups have taken issue with drag story time events. Legislation to ban or restrict them has been introduced in at least eight states, with more bills being drafted in other states (2). These attacks are super harmful because they perpetuate the bigoted belief that exposing kids to LGBTQ+ identities is inappropriate. They send the message that queer identity is something to be ashamed of, hidden away, and kept from children. What message does this send to the young queer kid facing bullying at school? Or a child of gay parents? Attacks on these story times only increase shame and embolden bullies.

These attacks have a direct impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. Queer kids already face higher rates of bullying, harassment, and discrimination, and these attacks on drag story time events only add to that. They create a hostile environment that can make queer youth feel unsafe and unwelcome. According to the Trevor Project, a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, laws like these can increase feelings of isolation and decrease a young person's sense of self-worth.

The fact is, drag story time events are an exercise of artistic and creative expression that should be free from government suppression. They are not sexualized, nor are they meant to be. The performers are simply reading books and having fun with the kids. As New York drag performer Lady Bunny pointed out, parents of schoolchildren who don't like it don't have to attend them.

The recent scourge of attacks on drag story time events are not only misguided, but they are also harmful. They perpetuate bigoted beliefs, create a hostile environment for queer youth, and attempt to erase queer identity. Locally, we need to decide what kind of a community we want to be - one that celebrates and uplifts people of all identities, or one that seeks to shame and marginalize those who may not ascribe to “traditional” forms of gender expression. Let's continue to promote events like drag story time, stand up against hateful rhetoric wherever we see it, and encourage our local politicians to do the same. Let’s help create a world where everyone can be themselves without fear of discrimination or hatred.

The idea for this month’s column came to me while at a dispensary here in the city. I overheard a fellow customer talking about how Twitter will soon let cannabis advertising on their site. The budtender then retorted that they were aware of their company's role as a major sponsor of another prominent neighborhood business. I feel like I’m not at liberty to mention the specifics of said sponsorship in this forum, but I will say it’s the first of its kind in our area. However, this raises the questions of how much sponsorship is appropriate and how well-prepared should we be for the onslaught of advertisements that are about to bombard our eyeballs?

It took Massachusetts less than a year to get from $3B to $4B in cannabis sales. The state had over 70 cannabis stores openings and the start of 3 courier services and 4 marijuana delivery businesses in 2022, resulting in over $1.4B sales. All this money and competition means that these organizations need to advertise and promote everywhere they can. I get it. And truthfully, I’m cool with billboards and I’m definitely a fan of the advertisements in wonderful magazines like the one you’re reading. The industry has long battled the restrictions put on them on where and what they can spend their money on. Even on the new, cash-hungry version of Twitter, cannabis companies can basically just announce that they exist. They can’t include any specific strains or available items, and there can’t be anything that could be misconstrued by an underage audience. With ad targeting becoming stronger and stronger, we should expect more of the social media blast. The permeation of the spaces and places where we go to escape being sold to, but instead are accosted by flashy lights and gotcha attention grabbers.

What I find especially interesting is that sales data from last year also showed that the state is generating more tax revenue from cannabis than alcohol for the first time. The biggest advertising day of the year was a week ago at the time of writing this. We saw ads from Budweiser, Crown Royal, Heineken and a bunch of other alcohol-based brands. And though we were not allowed to see the ad that Snoop Dogg wanted to air, I feel like it’s really only a matter of time before the Super Bowl is inundated with advertising littered with weed brands. It will also probably be one of those weird subversions of expectation ads where at first glance it looks like it’s a furniture commercial, but it ends up being about weed. Maybe Twitter can lead in this space as well and lift some of the restrictions for their advertisers.

Ultimately, what I’d really like to see happen is more investing in the community from these companies. I get excited about creative companies that are finding ways of supporting music, arts, and culture. Whether it’s as simple as being a presenting sponsor for a cultural event or continuing to spend money with local media companies, every bit helps maintain what we have while destigmatizing the industry.

I'm not suggesting that every venue should have a presenting sponsor, but if they could identify cannabis funding sources, they could end up with a lot of money to enhance their budgets, the stage setup, the lighting, and whatever else could be improved. The same defense may be made for any group of artists, craftspeople, or anybody else working in the community on projects that aren't just for kids. These companies have money, and they want to support the community. Make it happen.

Be well and happy trails.

-Travis (@hunchbacktravis)