Editorial
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It seems online protesters who hoped to derail Wollongong’s first-ever drag queen story time may have scored a spectacular own goal by giving the event widespread publicity in the lead up.
Held at the city library on Saturday, the event attracted a crowd of 300, which librarians and Wollongong lord mayor Gordon Bradbery have described as a record.
Flicking through the photographs capturing the reading, it’s standing room in the Kid’s Corner of the library and the children seated at the front can be seen peering up at Miss Roxee in sheer delight.
How fantastic to see so many children – on a sunny Saturday morning at the end of the school holidays – listening intently as they are read to by an engaging performer.
Wollongong’s drag storytelling event was designed to be a one-off – as part of the library’s contribution to Wollongong’s Queer Arts Festival.
But it seems the attention and success the event received could mean we see something similar back in the library again soon.
Wollongong City Council’s Acting Community Services director Jenny Thompson, who is to be commended for sticking to her guns and defending the event from social media vigilantes who called on it to be cancelled for spreading propaganda, said she would be open to a return performance.
“I think we need to plan for that demand,” she said. “For Storytime, 300 people is definitely a record.”
Likewise, Adam Larkham – who performs as Miss Roxee – said he’d be happy to cater to those who missed on Saturday.
“It is very important that something like this continues to happen in the Illawarra,” he said.
Indeed, at libraries and book stores around the world, drag story hour is gaining traction as a way to give kids role models from the LGBTQI community.
And, around the world, news stories about the event reflect a similar experience to that of Wollongong.
It seems the mix of gay pride and reading riles some religious and conservative groups, but – unsurprisingly, given many children’s love for dressing up, singing and bright costumes – tends to delight the kids its aimed at.
For our mind, anything that gets them excited about books and reading and literacy should be encouraged.
And if it comes with a side of positive role models and a message of inclusivity, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be repeated.