Grantee spotlight: Drag Story Hour

Children listen along to a drag reading of Neither, a great story about the power of individuality and diversity in our communities.

Stonewall has been supporting organizations across the country that are pushing back against the “slate of hate” – the rise of anti-trans and anti-queer legislation. This month, we’re spotlighting one grantee partner whose work is more vital now than ever before.

Drag Story Hour (DSH, formerly Drag Queen Story Hour) is a national nonprofit organization that uses the art of drag to read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. “We’re first and foremost a children’s literacy program,” said DSH Executive Director Jonathan Hamilt in a recent conversation with Stonewall staff. With more than 40 chapters in 30 states, DSH provides fun and creative reading programs for thousands of children every year, creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

The far-right is dredging up old tropes of LGBTQ people (particularly transgender people and drag performers) being predators and groomers. This language has directly led to protests and violence at DSH events. Last December, New York City Council member Erik Boettcher’s office and home were vandalized by protesters who accused him of supporting pedophilia by supporting Drag Story Hour.

DSH has had to increase their security to ensure that their events continue to be safe for families, drag artists, and the spaces that host them. To support their work in the face of these attacks, Stonewall recently awarded DSH a $10,000 grant. Our grant will go towards increased cyber security, trainings and education on event security, and mental health support for drag performers. Consider making a grant to DSH through your DAF.