Belleville Library Defends LGBT Pride Flag, ‘Drag Queen’ Event

BELLEVILLE, NJ — There’s room for the U.S. and rainbow flags at the Belleville Public Library, it turns out.

A “Drag Queen Story Time” event scheduled to take place at the library on Saturday, June 22 – along with the raising of a rainbow flag in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month – has inspired a flurry of comments from the Belleville community.

Some comments have been in opposition, but many more in support, library staff reported.

Mia Torres, head of circulation, said that the rainbow flag was temporarily taken down while staff figured out a way for it to be properly displayed in conjunction with a U.S. flag, which is also on display outside the library.

It was put back up as soon as possible with another addition, a banner bearing a message of peace that will be hung at the front of the building “well-beyond Pride Month,” Torres said.

“While we did in fact receive a handful of calls wanting the Pride flag removed and story time cancelled, we also received many calls wondering why we had taken it down with testimonies as to why we need it flown here in Belleville,” Torres explained. “Once arrangements were made, first thing Tuesday morning, we followed up with a Facebook post letting all know that it was back up.”

According to Torres, the Belleville Public Library exists to serve the community… and that includes everyone in it.

“We are thrilled that so many patrons of the library have called, emailed, left voicemails, and reached out via social media to let us know that they are proud of what we are doing here,” Torres added. “We are very proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to a very successful event on June 22 and encourage everyone to reach out and take advantage of everything the library has to offer.”

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• See related article: Hoboken Shows LGBTQ Pride For 'Drag Queen Story Hour' Performer
• See related article: Clara Maass Hospital Raises Rainbow Flag For Pride Month

DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME IN BELLEVILLE

Drag Queen Story Time featuring performer "Very Gerry" will take place from 11 a.m. to noon at the Belleville Public Library, 221 Washington Avenue.

Families are invited to the dynamic and engaging story and craft hour. All ages are welcome; children should be accompanied by an adult.

Registration is preferred but not required. Space is limited. For more information about this local event click here.

WHAT IS DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR?

According to Drag Queen Story Hour's national office, its members have been the target of several attacks over the past years.

"For example, the Family Policy Alliance launched a campaign to urge legislators to stop DQSH events in libraries, and Pat Robertson released this rambling video condemning our work," the group wrote. "Conservative groups and individuals have also staged protests outside of readings (including in Brooklyn and San Francisco), though we're proud to say that they've always been greatly outnumbered by LGBTQ families and our allies who support our work. And in some towns, local politicians are even putting pressure on libraries to cancel scheduled DQSH events."

A GoFundMe campaign to benefit the nonprofit and its Drag Queen Story Hour series can be seen here.

Here are some common questions that the members of Drag Queen Story Hour have encountered, according to their website.

What is Drag Queen Story Hour? – "Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and other community spaces. Most events are 45 minutes and designed for children ages 3-8, though this may vary by location or event. A drag queen generally reads 3-4 children's books, sings children's songs, and leads children in a craft activity such as making crowns, wands, or paper bag puppets, or sometimes other activities like face painting or dress-up time."

Does DQSH promote an agenda? – "Our agenda is simple: we believe that people of all ages should be free to express themselves however they want, free from the constraints of prescribed gender roles. In other words, there's no such thing as 'girl clothes' and 'boy clothes,' or 'girl toys' and 'boy toys.' DQSH teaches children that there are many ways to express themselves and their gender, and they are all OK… Any insinuation that we have an agenda to indoctrinate children misunderstands LGBTQ experiences and is rooted in homophobia and transphobia."

Why are you teaching preschoolers about sex? – "We're not. We're teaching them about gender presentation and gender identity—as well as how to be imaginative, creative, and critical thinkers."

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