The Jackson Heights library was packed on March 8 as drag queen Angel Elektra read stories to children as part of Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH).
Due to its success, Councilman Daniel Dromm, who sponsored the event, will also bring the program to the Queens Library in Elmhurst at 86-07 Broadway on March 14 from 4 to 5 p.m.
The events are for children ages 3 through 8 years old. The program first started in San Francisco in 2015, where drag queens visited schools, libraries and bookstores to read to children. It has expanded to Los Angeles, New York City and northern New Jersey.
“I am thrilled to bring Drag Queen Story Hour to Jackson Heights,” Dromm said. “Drag Queen Story Hour is a fun and fabulous way of encouraging children to read. It is also a great way to teach them to embrace our society’s differences and diversity. The expressions of joy on their faces when they saw and interacted with Angel Elektra were priceless. The flamboyancy and theatrics of Drag Queen Story Hour truly captured the children’s attention and helped facilitate learning.”
Elektra read “It’s Okay To Be Different” by Todd Parr in Spanish while Dromm read the book in English. Queens Library President and CEO Dennis Walcott was also in attendance.
#DragQueenStoryHour turnout was standing-room only. Take a look at this video. Thanks @angelelektra69 for the wonderful time. @QueensLibrary #DQSH pic.twitter.com/Zk9hqGojEa
— Daniel Dromm (@Dromm25) March 9, 2018
Parents on Facebook praised the program.
“This story hour is amazing,” wrote Facebook user Ilan Cole. “The only problem is when I brought Aria she kept wanting to steal the queen’s purse and jewels. But seriously kids and drag queens should hang more. The crafts! The drama! The songs. Symbiotic I tell you.”
According to the program’s website, DQSH “captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive and unabashedly queer role models.”
“This brings joy to my LIFE…… and soul!!” Elektra wrote on Facebook. “I’ll continue to embrace it, thank you Public Library Jackson Heights for allowing to be part of this MAGICAL DAY.”
