Drag Queen Snubbed From Alpharetta Library Storytime Fights Back

ALPHARETTA, GA — After county officials canceled an at-capacity Drag Queen Storytime at the Alpharetta library with seemingly little to no explanation, the star of the event fought back. And community groups and fans offered alternative places to host the popular event, only to see the library agree to host the storytime on a new date.

The host, Steven Igarashi-Ball, who performs as Miss Terra Cotta Sugarbaker, announced the cancellation on the event's Facebook page on March 23, two weeks before it was supposed to occur at the Alpharetta branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

"People are trying to censor our voice," Igarashi-Ball, 40, from Buford, said in a video. "Our event stands for inclusivity, safe space in the community, and most of all, freedom of speech. Please join me in standing up to this intolerance."

Residents spoke out against the short-live cancellation on Facebook, including Christine Gleason O'Boyle. "This makes me sad and angry," O'Boyle wrote. "You can count on me and my family to support you!"

Many others agreed, including Kristen Freeland who wrote that she was "extremely disappointed with Alpharetta leaders. Rest assured they’ll be hearing from us North Fulton residents who value inclusivity, literacy, and, let’s face it - just a fabulously fun family event that enriches our community!"

Jessica A. Corbitt-Dominguez is the director of the department of External Affairs for the Fulton County Government, which speaks for the library system. She suggested the drag queen event was better suited for the Atlanta venue than Alpharetta, even though all 180 attendance slots were full in less than an hour.

"We appreciate the community support for the Drag Queen Story Time event, which has been successful and well-received at the Ponce de Leon Library," Corbitt-Dominguez said in a statement sent to Patch. "We recommended to the organizer that it continue at the location where it has a strong track record. Fulton County has dozens of facilities that offer a diverse array of programs. Not every program is offered at every location."

Igarashi-Ball told the AJC that "the community has made it clear that they want the event and the county canceled the event." Other story time events are still on the online calendar, excluding any drag queen versions.

On Facebook, Igarashi-Ball said that the "Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System has supported us, and fought for our event. The Alpharetta Library has advocated in support of our event. The event was cancelled by Fulton County Government - not the library. To be more specific, the event was cancelled by county management. We have yet to be given a reason why the event was cancelled."

Igarashi-Ball said two officials of Fulton County Government, Liz Hausmann Fulton County Commissioner - District 1 and County Manager Dick Anderson, cancelled the original event.

Patch has reached out to both Hausmann and Anderson and has not received a response yet.

Alpharetta Library Branch Manager Jeff Stinson commented on the Facebook event page and said he contacted Igarashi-Ball to ask if he'd like to return in May, and that Stinson is "hoping he'll say yes."

The day before the original event was to take place, Igarashi-Ball said the event had been rescheduled for 2 p.m. April 27 at Alpharetta City Library and is currently out of tickets due to high demand.

"Hosting it at the library doesn’t mean it’s a library event," Igarashi-Ball said. "The county is still not letting the library support us. We rescheduled the event because of community support. The event is being held at the public library, but is not a library event. This event will happen because hundreds, maybe even thousands, of citizens made their voices heard. I am grateful for every phone call, email, social media post and private conversation."

Igarashi-Ball said in a Facebook post that the story event isn’t about drag queens, but is focused on creativity, self-expression, freedom of speech and tolerance. "Thank you for agreeing that those are hallmarks of the community we want to live in. I can’t call out all the supporters who are making this possible, but you know who you are. Please know I see you and I hear you. Your actions speak loudly, and I can never repay you for your kindness and activism. Trust, together we are changing the world."

Igarashi-Ball told the AJC he has been reading to children of all ages at the Ponce branch usually once every two months since September 2017 and said the events remain popular. He went on to say his drag persona is suited to working with children in libraries.

“I would describe her as a modern Southern belle … (with) big hair, and I feel like she’s an aged-out pageant queen,” he told the newspaper.

Caroline Taylor wrote on Facebook that she and her child enjoyed the story time at the library on Ponce. "We love books and libraries and all human beings here in town, so please come back to Ponce or (East Atlanta Village) whenever you can!"

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms showed her support of Igarashi-Ball on social media April 6.