Скачать или смотреть Drag Queen Storytime Protest, Hove Library. 4-8-22

I’m stood outside Hove library. There’s a protest and counter protest.

On one side are people holding signs saying, PIZZAGATE and STOP GROOMING OUR CHILDREN and, of course, the ubiquitous Piers Corbyn (a surname that enrages me anyway) and on the other side there are trans/gay flags and three times as many people shouting down the bigots.

I turn to the policeman next to me,

“I think I’ll give the library a miss today.”

“Probably wise,” he replies. There are shouts of LEAVE OUR CHILDREN ALONE.

“Lemme guess,” I say. “Drag Queen Story Time?”

“Got it in one...”

***

Now, hear Farley out. I appreciate that Ru Paul (pretty much on their own) has made drag something now in the cultural mainstream. But drag has always been (and will be) a form of sexualized ADULT entertainment, whether you like it or not.

Should they be reading stories to children? I mean, sure. If they can act appropriately. I’ve never attended a session, so I wouldn’t know. And the kids (probably) innocently think they are like clowns anyway.

Are drag queens intentionally grooming your children? Of course not. But maybe it’s not the best idea in the world either. What’s wrong with getting an actual children’s author in to do it?

That’s what I did at Waterstones, with all the authors who owed me massive favours. And the place was fucking packed out on a Saturday morning with parents and kids. The authors (who were all historians and writers of adult fiction) even sold a few books too.

If I suggested back then, we got it Trixie Snuffle or Peaches Fondue instead, I would have been fired.

Drag Queens have a place where they can be seen and live their truth. The clubs in Kemp Town, the stage and floats at Pride (this weekend) and BBC3, of course. Maybe not a library on a Thursday morning.

I mean, how early would they have to get up to get ready anyway, after a night on chem sex drugs? None of them want that, right?