In partnership with The Children’s Room and with a generous grant from Revitalizing Waterbury, Bridgeside, an independent book store, is hosting its first Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) with Vermont Drag Queens Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, according to a Revitalizing Waterbury calendar listing.
Following the story hour, The Children’s Room volunteers will lead kids in an activity decorating their own crowns.
DQSH promotes reading through the art of drag and “creates diverse, accessible, and culturally-inclusive family programming where kids can express their authentic selves and become bright lights of change in their communities,” Revitalizing Waterbury said. “In spaces like this, kids can learn from LGBTQ+ experiences to love themselves, celebrate the fabulous diversity in their communities, and stand up for what they believe in and each other.”
Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer will share stories focused on individuality, activism, gender, creativity, expression, and social responsibility.
DQSH was created in San Francisco in 2015 by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions, a queer literary arts organization. DQSH has now has now grown into a global network of local organizations (including the one here in Vermont), each of which is independently managed and funded.
Drag Queen Story Hour has some controversial history in Vermont. After facing reportedly vicious public attacks due to his efforts to cancel Drag Queen Story Hour at the public library in Chester, the library board chair and all but one member resigned in late May. New trustees have since been appointed. There are no drag queen story hours currently listed in Whiting Library’s upcoming activities.