As threats grow, ‘parasol patrol’ provides security for Drag Story Hour : NPR
Drag Story Hour, where drag performers read to children, has withstood attacks and threats over the years. In Denver, a volunteer “umbrella patrol” ensures the safety of families participating in Drag Story Hour.
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Drag Story Hour celebrates its 10th anniversary this month. The nonprofit organizes events across the United States and around the world in which drag performers dressed to the nines read stories to children. These story times have withstood increasing attacks and threats over the years, particularly from state legislatures. Jackie Sedley reports from Boulder, Colorado.
MISS ZARAH AND UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: (Singing) If you’re happy and you know it, do all three.
(applause)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: Stomp, stomp (ph).
(SOUNDBITE OF FEET STAMPS)
MISS ZARAH AND UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: Hey, queen.
JACKIE SEDLEY, BYLINE: This is Miss Zarah, a Colorado-based drag performer who shows up at the Boulder Public Library in full glamor once every two months to read to children and their families.
MISS ZARAH: Drag is for everyone. It’s for adults and children alike. And if your child plays dress up, then this is perfect for them. I’m just an adult who gets dressed.
SEDLEY: The Boulder Library is one of many institutions across the country that hosts story times like these through a national nonprofit called Drag Story Hour. There are around thirty chapters in the world. That’s down from 50 before the pandemic, according to Jonathan Hamlit. He directs communications for Drag Story Hour.
JONATHAN HAMLIT: The patterns of homophobia and transphobia against Drag Story Hour have fluctuated with the different administrations we’ve had, as well as with right-wing conservatism.
SEDLEY: Growing safety concerns led to the birth of Parasol Patrol in 2019. Pasha Ripley is co-founder of the group, with chapters across the country. They attend LGBTQ+ events aimed at children with rainbow umbrellas and noise-cancelling headphones to protect the performers and children from aggressive protesters.
PASHA RIPLEY: They come armed – like, visibly armed. And all this to intimidate and frighten children. What is this ?
SEDLEY: She says the public outcry against story times intensified during President Trump’s second term. Shortly after taking office, Trump pledged through Truth Social to ban drag shows and, quote, “all other anti-American propaganda.”
There are at least six states in the United States with laws that restrict drag performance. Several of them are being challenged in court. In Texas last month, a federal appeals court ruled that the state could enforce a 2023 law that restricts certain drag shows on public property or in front of children. One group that supports this law is a nonprofit called Gays Against Groomers. Jaimee Michell is president of this organization. She says there are better ways to encourage inclusion and literacy in children than with drag queens.
JAIMEE MICHELL: I find it very degrading as a gay person because I don’t really associate or identify with these grooming clowns, that’s what they are – they’re sex clowns – being pushed in front of children. This is not the representation I would like.
SEDLEY: Many drag performers insist that their story times are age-appropriate for children. Per Sia, the first queen to ever read at an official Drag Story Hour, says her nighttime personality is distinct from her daytime personality.
PER SIA: All we want is to be seen, heard and loved. And that’s exactly what Drag Story Hour offers. That’s the beauty of storytelling. And, you know, we look fabulous doing it (laughs).
SEDLEY: Per Sia says doing Drag Story Hour is a dream of hers, and she’s committed to doing it for as long as she can.
MISS ZARAH AND UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: (singing) Goodbye, my friends.
SEDLEY: For NPR News, I’m Jackie Sedley in Boulder, Colorado.
MISS ZARAH AND UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: (Singing) Goodbye.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
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