Lansdale Library Drag Queen Story Hour Ignites Religious Protest

LANSDALE, PA -- An upcoming drag queen story hour at Lansdale Public Library has drawn the ire of a national religious group which is organizing a protest of the event and encouraging the public to call Lansdale officials.

Drag queen and Lansdale resident Annie Christ will perform a variety of skits that reinforce the message of acceptance, diversity, and "being a little different," event organizers said.

A national Christian group called the American Pastors Network has taken aim at the story hour, circulating a petition and urging its audience to contact the library and state their opposition. The group characterized the event, which preaches tolerance, as "perversion from the nightclubs and sexually charged pride parades."

Story hour is set for Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at the library. Both protests and counter-protests outside of the library are planned.

Sam Rohrer, head of the American Pastors Network, is a vocal right-wing advocate of various modern political issues. He's previously argued that national borders are part of a divine plan, and that the caravan of migrants fleeing poverty and violence in Central America were "fight(ing) against God himself."

Gary Dull, the director of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network, said that the story hour would exacerbate "drug use, high-anxiety, suicide, and depression."

The event includes readings from two books, a coloring activity, and snacks. One of the books is about a little boy who wants to wear a shiny skirt, just like his sister.

"Here is a sweet, heartwarming story about acceptance, respect, and the freedom to be yourself in a world where any gender expression should be celebrated," organizers said. "Sparkly things are for everyone to enjoy."

A police presence is expected outside of the event Saturday morning.

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