A new initiative in the United States is giving kids queer role models by enlisting drag queens to read to children at public libraries and schools.
Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) was created by author Michelle Tea and literary non-profit Radar Productions in San Francisco but now has events all over the US, and around the world.
“DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models,” the event’s website says.
“In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real.”
The latest instalment of Youtube series 60 Second Docs has interviewed drag queen Angel Elektra—who has been reading to children at the New York Public Library.
“I’m here to read stories to children, to teach them what diversity is about,” Elektra says in the clip.
“This type of activity opens a child’s eyes to what being different is all about.
“It has to start somewhere. I wish, when I was growing up, there was a program like this where they can explain and teach children to accept anyone. This is a great way of opening that vision to them.
“It doesn’t matter what gender you are, or where you come from, we’re all people, we’re all human, and we should love ourselves first.”
You can watch the 60 Second Docs clip below:
