LETTER TO THE EDITOR: IN SUPPORT OF DRAG QUEEN HOUR

2

IN SUPPORT OF DRAG QUEEN READING HOUR

BY WALLACE PAYNTER

The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library is joining other libraries around the nation, creating new and innovative programs that encourage reading.

The newest upcoming program, Drag Queen Reading Hour, is being created to promote diversity and to encourage student reading. The program is not a mandatory program that students have to attend. It is a program at a library where parents can choose to bring their kids.

There are many other reading programs which have adults dressed in costume, most recently the Santa reading hour.

As I read the details of the opposition’s petition, it focuses on sex and sexuality. It misses the mark … children’s story hour doesn’t discuss sex and sexuality. It’s a performer reading a book and doing crafts or activities … and letting the kids know that we are all different in some way and that’s okay.

I believe City Council member Justin Elpers has important issues to work on that impact city government. This isn’t one of them. Parents who support this program will take their kids to it. The publicity he has given this event will have the reverse effect …. I believe the event will be standing room only because of the publicity he has given the event.

My thanks to the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library for promoting diverse events that promote reading.

Click on this link to sign the petition in support of this program: https://www.change.org/p/evansville-vanderburgh-public-library-we-support-drag-queen-story-hour-at-evpl-d5d8c91b-a77c-40dd-a5e2-6cf8899f5766

Wally Paynter, President

Tri-State Alliance

TSAGL.org

Facebook.com/TriStateAlliance

2 COMMENTS

Comments are closed.