Hoboken Shows LGBTQ Pride For 'Drag Queen Story Hour' Performer

HOBOKEN, NJ — Harmonica Sunbeam is returning to Hoboken, and this time, the performer has some serious pride power on her side.

Sunbeam, a seasoned “Drag Queen Story Hour” performer, will be the honored guest at a local celebration to kick off LGBT Pride Month on Saturday, June 1. The event, hosted by the Hudson County Democratic Organization’s LGBTQ Caucus, will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Antique Bar and Bakery, 122 Willow Avenue in Hoboken.

Sunbeam, who founded the North Jersey chapter of national nonprofit Drag Queen Story Hour, has hosted "story hour" events for kids 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.

During Sunbeam’s latest visit to Hoboken on April 27 at Little City Books, a pair of representatives from the Pennsylvania-based American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) held a protest outside, holding up signs that read "God made them male and female" and "Honk to protect our children."

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

During the protest, which Sunbeam captured on video, the performer kept a positive front, using humor to defuse the situation.

"They like to spend their Saturdays being mean and hateful to people," Harmonica Sunbeam told Patch. "They're just like me… harmless… but they think otherwise."

Story continues below

• See related article: Hoboken Sees ‘Hateful Protest’ At Drag Queen Story Hour Event

After Sunbeam’s latest visit to Hoboken, the local LGBTQ community rallied to her side, condemning the protest as “hateful” and not representative of values in the Mile Square City. The support for Sunbeam and Drag Queen Story Hour was reiterated as the performer prepares for her June 1 visit to Hudson County.

Hoboken Councilman Mike DeFusco said he’s been in contact with the city’s Office of Emergency Management to ensure additional safety measures are in place for Sunbeam’s visit.

DeFusco, who also serves as chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization’s LGBTQ Caucus, said the beginning of Pride Month gives people the opportunity to further the discussion of diversity and acceptance in their communities.

“I am proud of the work we have done over the past four years to make Hoboken a more inclusive city and finally achieve a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index,” DeFusco said. “As chairman of the caucus, I’m excited to work with each of Hudson County’s municipalities so we can better serve the growing LGBTQ population and achieve true equality.”

Hudson County Democratic Organization Amy DeGise said the June 1 event will be a chance for the community to show its support for inclusiveness.

“We live in one of the most diverse places in the nation and it is important that we ensure all of our neighbors are treated equally and justly,” DeGise emphasized.

DeGise said the LGBTQ community has “helped make Hudson County the incredible place it is,” and June is about recognizing those contributions and accomplishments.

“I’m looking forward to beginning Pride Month with a celebration of our rich culture and continuing the discussion to build a more inclusive community,” DeGise said.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Hoboken Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com