Councilmember Daniel Dromm and drag queen Angel Elektra read to children last week. Emil Cohen / New York City Council
Parents and children packed a hall in Jackson Heights Library last week for a children’s book reading with an especially fabulous guide— drag queen Angel Elektra.
Thanks to the event’s popularity, Elmhurst Library at 86-07 Broadway will host another Drag Queen Story Hour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. today. Drag queen Miss B will read a book, lead crafts and sing songs with children ages 3 to 8 years old.
Drag Queen Story Hours were first held in San Francisco and now take place regularly in New York. The programs aim to promote reading and to teach children about diversity and difference.
Councilmember Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), who is openly gay, provided funding for the events.
Dromm talked about the importance of promoting diversity to children and said that the playfulness of the event was an excellent way to encourage kids to read.
“The expressions of joy on their faces when they saw and interacted with Angel Elektra were priceless,” said Dromm “The flamboyancy and theatrics of Drag Queen Story Hour truly captured the children’s attention and helped facilitate learning.”
The event is free and open to the public.
