By Michael Bielawski
The Town of St. Johnsbury will have a ‘drag queen story hour’ for young children at the historic Athenaeum public library. The community is responding both in support and opposition, and the opposition alleges censorship by the petition website Change.org.
The event is to occur on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 PM. The local police chief Joel Pierce has already issued a statement concerning potential protests.
“I just ask that parties involved remain peaceful and respectful,” Pierce said. “Freedoms concerning expression, assembly and the right to petition do not protect those committing crimes.” The chief is not certain if there will or won’t be protests.
The two persons doing the readings will be ‘Emoji Nightmare’ and ‘Katniss Everqueer’.
Nightmare’s real name is Justin Marsh. Marsh has a bio on Marsh’s YouTube page, which features music videos of Marsh performing. Marsh created this new performance personality in 2015.
“From there, she went on to be second runner up in the amateur competition Vermont Drag Idol [2015]. In 2017 she launched an arts and activist talk show with Nikki Champagne and co-founded the Vermont chapter of Drag Queen Story Hour. She produces and hosts drag, burlesque, and comedy shows across Northern New England,” the profile reads.
2019 appearance in Montpelier
Marsh has been doing story hours for years, including one covered by True North Reports in the summer of 2019.
“For the second year in a row, the Kellogg-Hubbard Library hosted a drag queen story hour for the public. This time more than 100 people attended, mostly with their children of young ages,” the report states.
It continues, “Dressed in outfits that resembled clown attire, the two performers sang songs and read books, much like one would expect from ordinary story time at a local library. Similar events around the country have stirred up opposition, but Saturday’s hourlong event in Vermont took place without controversy.”
One of the books read at the Montpelier event was “Fancy Nancy” by Jane O’Connor. It’s a story about a young girl who is experimental with her clothing. TNR wrote, “She’s constantly looking for more exotic outfits and accessories to spice up her image. The story has been adapted for TV, musicals, toys, and even a Nintendo video game.”
Double standard at Change.org?
Change.org is under scrutiny today deleting a post critical of the story hour event while leaving up a post in support.
The Caledonian-Record reports, “A change.org petition started by Marlowe Malatesta, of St. Johnsbury, states, “This petition is for the parents, kids, and community members to express their interest in and support for bringing Drag Story Hour to the NEK.”
The report continues that when opponents of the event tried to create a similar petition, the site took it down.
“An opponent’s effort to create a change.org petition calling for cancellation was short-lived. It was unavailable shortly after it was posted, presumably because it failed to meet the platform’s eligibility criteria,” the report states. Such actions may be contrary to statements on Change.org’s policy sections concerning media censorship.
In response to the cancellation, local organizers have created a Facebook page called St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Administrator Sam Bent writes: “This group was created due to the censorship, of other St Johnsbury Groups. This group values free speech and encourages open dialogue on community issues. Unlike other groups that may limit discussions, we believe in the importance of voicing concerns and opinions. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility to express your thoughts respectfully and constructively. This ensures that all members are heard and the conversation remains productive.”