Hoboken Sees Hateful Protest At 'Drag Queen' Event: LGBTQ Caucus

HOBOKEN, NJ — A conservative group’s protest outside a family-oriented “Drag Queen Story Hour” event at a Hoboken book store last weekend has inspired fierce condemnation from members of the local LGBTQ community.

When young children and parents attending Saturday’s event at Little City Books arrived at the store to see Harmonica Sunbeam, they encountered a pair of representatives of the Pennsylvania-based American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP).

The protesters – who gathered outside across from the book store – held up signs reading “God made them male and female,” and “Honk to protect our children.” They can be seen in a video posted by Harmonica Sunbeam below.

“I tried to blend in but life wouldn’t let me,” the flamboyant and ebullient performer quips to the camera, laughing as the protesters take position across the street. “It’s about to get real interesting here, darling.”

The entertainer, who describes herself as a “mother, fitness enthusiast, role model and shade blocker” on social media, maintains a positive front throughout the video, using humor to defuse the situation.

“They like to spend their Saturdays being mean and hateful to people,” Harmonica Sunbeam jokes. “They’re just like me… harmless… but they think otherwise.”

She also thanks passerby for sticking up for her, commenting that “the people of Hoboken are letting them have it.”

"The fact that there were only two people made it even more hysterical," Harmonica Sunbeam told Patch on Tuesday. "I've endured protesters at a few events already, so it doesn't really scathe me."

The entertainer did chastise the protesters for crashing an event meant to brighten the day of local kids, however.

"It saddens me that people think it's OK to bring their negative energy to a positive event, and at the same time, act as if they are concerned about the well-being of the children," she said.

According to TFP’s website, the group is “an organization of lay Catholic Americans concerned about the moral crisis shaking the remnants of Christian civilization.” It has over 120,000 active members, volunteers and donors, and "peacefully defends the values of tradition, family and private ownership."

In a March blog, the TFP explains why it opposes drag queen shows, claiming that they "destroy children's innocence." Read their statement here.

Patch reached out to the TFP seeking comment about Saturday’s protest. We’ll include any reply we receive in this article.

LGBTQ CAUCUS: 'A HATEFUL IDEOLOGY'

After the event at Little City Books, the Hudson County Democratic Organization LGBTQ Caucus and Hoboken City Councilman Mike DeFusco issued a joint statement denouncing the protest and supporting the event.

According to their statement:

“Young children and their parents attending a drag queen story hour on Saturday afternoon at Little City Books were greeted by protesters spreading a hateful and discriminatory ideology. Members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property stood outside the bookstore promoting traditional right-wing propaganda targeted at the LGBTQ community all while families were inside were enjoying an afternoon with Harmonica Sunbeam.”

DeFusco – a gay man who has been a strong and vocal proponent for LGBT rights – said that Saturday’s “divisive language and intolerance” has no place in Hoboken, Hudson County or anywhere else.

“We should be teaching children to embrace diversity and acceptance, not spreading hateful rhetoric that aims to set us back on the strides we have made to get closer to full equality,” the councilman said.

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bahlla issued a statement about the protest on Monday.

"While free speech is protected under our constitution, let me make it absolutely clear that Hoboken will never stand for any hateful rhetoric targeting our LGBTQ community. Hoboken is and always will be an inclusive and welcoming place that is accepting of people of all identities, sexuality or gender expression. We stand firmly behind Little City Books, Harmonica Sunbeam, and all those who help teach our children the importance of diversity."

Harmonica Sunbeam, who founded the North Jersey chapter of national nonprofit Drag Queen Story Hour, has hosted “story hour” events throughout North Jersey. Recent events include a reading to commemorate LGBT Pride Month at the Hoboken Public Library in June 2018, and events in Newark, Rahway and Montclair. (Story continues below video)

• See related article: 'Drag Queen Story Hour' At Hoboken Library For LGBT Pride Month

‘STANDING UP FOR EQUALITY’

Despite the protest, there was a silver lining on Saturday, the LGBTQ caucus pointed out… the support showed by the local community.

“Parents in attendance at the event proudly stood up for equality, teaching their children this type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the caucus stated.

DeFusco agreed.

“I am incredibly proud of all the Hoboken parents and families who took a stand against the intolerant actions of these protesters, and hope we can join together for a community dialogue to discuss these prejudices and injustices,” he said.

In their joint statement, DeFusco and the Hudson County LGBTQ Caucus said they plan to host a “drag queen breakfast” on Saturday, June 1, where all members of the community will be welcome to kick off Pride Month and to show that “Hoboken will not be swayed by discriminate protesters.”

The event is a way for Hoboken and Hudson County to “come together for an open dialogue about teaching inclusiveness and equality to younger generations.” It will be held at Roost Outpost, 55 First Street, from 10 a.m. to noon.

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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