Advertisement

Drag queen event for children sparks debate after councillor's controversial post


A councillor has sparked outrage after condemning drag queens reading stories to children at libraries as members of the public expressed support for the innovative program.

Drag Queen Story Hour is a global movement where drag queens read stories to children in libraries, schools, or bookstores to promote acceptance and self expression.

Councillor Justin Elpers from Indiana, mid west US, has faced backlash after slamming his local library’s drag queen hour on Facebook.

“This is reprehensible,” Mr Elpers wrote about the Facebook on Saturday about the event scheduled for February 23 at the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library in Indiana.

“EVPL North Park [the library] is sponsoring an event where men dressed up as women will be reading to young children.

Drag Queen Story Hour: Nikki Champagne and Emoji Nightmare reading at Fletcher Free Library, Vermont, US.
Nikki Champagne and Emoji Nightmare reading at Fletcher Free Library, Vermont, US. Source: Instagram/dragqueenstoryhour

“The target age is up to 11 years old.

“As an educator and parent I’m in shock.”

The shocked councillor was roundly mocked on social media by people who supported the story hour.

“Really, really disappointed to see you post something like this, Mr Elpers,” one Facebook user commented.

“Grow up. There’s nothing wrong with this,” another user wrote.

“You are a silly, young man who obviously has no real stake or interest in the people of this community outside your tiny backyard,” one Facebook user commented.

Councillor Justin Elpers (pictured) from Indiana, mid west US, has faced backlash after slamming his local library’s drag queen hour on Facebook. Source: Facebook/Justin Elpers City Council 5th Ward Rep
Councillor Justin Elpers (pictured) from Indiana, mid west US, has faced backlash after slamming his local library’s drag queen hour on Facebook. Source: Facebook/Justin Elpers City Council 5th Ward Rep

“Someone’s just salty they can’t pull off heels,” another wrote.

The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library library will pick the stories for the event and the drag queen volunteers are trained by library staff, according to local outlet Tri-state Broadcasting.

The initiative is supported by the American Library Association, which has established resources for local libraries who have experienced pushback from their local communities.

It comes after a US school apologised to parents after not notifying them ahead of time about a drag queen who was among guests to read to children at a career event in October.