Princeton’s Drag Queen Story Hour Is About Love, Acceptance, Inclusion

PRINCETON, NJ — On a sunny spring weekend, around 50 Princeton residents descended at the Bayard Rustin Center For Social Justice (BRCSJ) for a very special event.

The group, which mainly included families and children, was held in rapt attention as Harmonica Sunbeam read stories of love, inclusion and acceptance.

The BRCSJ’s Drag Queen Story Hour has been a staple for Princeton residents for some time now. And they are extremely popular with young families, who bring their children to watch Harmonica read.

Harmonica is BRCSJ’s Drag-Queen-In-Residence. “This means the BRCSJ will have a drag queen on hand for different events, and as a spokesperson for the center,” Harmonica said.

A drag performer for about 30 years, Harmonica is based out of the New York-New Jersey area and works across the country and internationally.

“When Drag Queen Story Hour first came to Brooklyn in 2016, they were looking for performers. It really just attracted me because I enjoy reading and entertaining,” Harmonica said.

"Also, I knew that it would give me a new audience to reach. As a drag queen of a certain age, it also gives me more respectable working hours as well.”

Robt Seda-Schreiber, Chief Activist at the BRCSJ, said the story hour has been meaningful to families looking for inclusivity and representation.

“Princeton has been this liberal enclave that is inclusive. What’s meaningful about this event is that it reaches out to those looking for inclusivity, representation, and inspiration that is so needed for children and families,” Seda-Schreiber said.

For Harmonica, reading at Princeton is always a joy. “Parents and caretakers bring their kids to story hour because they want the children to be more accepting of themselves. It is also a more informal and educational way to normalize how different some families can be,” Harmonica said.

“There are stories about little boys who liked to paint their fingernails, or a little girl who liked to play sports. Those stories just were not out there years ago. And now we get to break down stereotypes and allow people to be themselves and enjoy the things that they like through these stories.”

Seda-Schreiber said the event was also a good way to communicate. “We have a rainbow of attendees - people from all across the spectrum - however they represent, however they identify. Whether the families are biological or other, the event makes them feel included,” he said.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the BRCSJ when hosting the event. The first Drag Queen Story Hour was held four years ago in the Municipality, amid some protest, recalls Seda-Schreiber.

“Those protesters were literally bused in from somewhere else. But despite that, so many community members showed up including some from neighboring towns. It was all love and support for us,” Seda-Schreiber said.

The Drag Queen Story Hour has become a cultural flashpoint in parts of the country with protestors threatening to disrupt the event. Supporters see this as the new anti-LGBTQI front, causing discord in communities. According to a report from GLAAD there have been 141 protests and attacks on drag events nationwide in 2022.

“People who protest Drag Queen Story Hour operate from a place of hate. They operate out of fear of not wanting to lose their place in society, which by the way, was never theirs in the first place. We are not looking for special rights. We just want what everyone else has,” Seda-Schreiber said.

Lawmakers in 14 states including South Carolina, Texas and North Dakota, have proposed laws to outlaw drag in public or businesses that admit people under 18.

With many lawmakers banning certain books and Florida passing the Don’t Say Gay bill, Harmonica feels no one has the right to dictate what other people want for their children.

“If parents feel that it's right for their children, then so be it. A lot of times these people say they are here to protect the children, but they are making a scene outside, disturbing the peace, and scaring the children,” Harmonica said.

“If they want to help, they should direct their energies towards helping children who can't read, children who are homeless, orphan and hungry. Do some real work.”

Harmonica said the BRCSJ’s Drag Queen Story Hour is much needed to foster an environment of love and acceptance.

“We had such a wide diversity of people at the event,” Seda-Schreiber said. "It was just beautiful to see kids, families and adults, some in their 80s, in the audience. BRCSJ is a safe space that is open every single day for folks in need.”

To learn more about the BRCSJ, click here.

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