![]() It has consistently received strong support and praise,” the library said in a statement sent to The Oaklandside. “The Oakland Public Library has hosted Drag Queen Story Hour for many years, pre-dating recent controversy. One of the original performers at Drag Story Hour, she said the events are about “being creative, expressing yourself, and having seats at the table.” ![]() “My anxiety levels are so high, but I continue to do this because this is what I love,” Per Sia told The Oaklandside. In response to this and similar incidents, Drag Story Hour created a safety marshal program called Shields Up!, training volunteers in de-escalation tactics, contingency planning, and helping audience members enter and leave libraries. One wore a t-shirt that said “Kill your local pedophile” above an image of an assault weapon. Last year, members of the extremist group the Proud Boys disrupted a Drag Story Hour event at the San Lorenzo Library, about a 15-minute drive south of Oakland, yelling homophobic and transphobic slurs. While Drag Story Hour has been around for almost a decade, this event and ones like it around the country have increasingly become the target of conservative protests as well as fodder for the homophobic and false conspiracy theory claiming that supporters of LGBTQ rights and education are “grooming” children. ![]() “I want to admire your courage with all of the bullshit going on,” he said. ![]() An adult in attendance also came up to Per Sia. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |