MassEquality to Host Banned Book Fair & Drag Queen Story Hour
MassEquality will host a Drag Queen Story Hour & Banned Book Fair on Saturday, October 22nd 2022 in Copley Square. The event will run from 12PM-3PM, during which time attendees will have the opportunity to purchase books from local bookstores, check out books and resources from the Boston Public Library, learn about resources for LGBTQ+ families and youth in Massachusetts, and of course, listen to a selection of stories theatrically read by featured drag queens.
This event comes in response to the spike in hateful attacks against drag queen story hours happening across the Commonwealth, and the rising volume of cries for LGBTQ+ inclusive and race-conscious books to be banned from school libraries.
Over the last couple of years, MassEquality has been monitoring and fighting back against violent and hateful attacks against drag queen story hours, and misinformed campaigns to have LGBTQ+ books and curricula banned from our public schools. A loud minority of conservative folks believe they have the right to impose their misguided religious and cultural beliefs on the rest of us, and it has gotten out of hand. They claim to be concerned parents looking out for the best interest of their children, when in reality children are the real victims of their campaign against the LGBTQ+ community. They hide behind the argument of parental concern in a thinly veiled attempt to attack and erase trans and nonbinary people as well as other members of the LGBTQ+ community, and will continue to spread harm and violence given any opportunity.
"LGBTQ+ people have been under attack across the Commonwealth and across the nation," said MassEquality Executive Director, Tanya Neslusan. "It's important for people of all ages to understand that being a member of the LGBTQ Community isn't scary or bad, we're all just people. And it's especially important that children who are exploring their own identities or feeling different in any way to know that it's okay to be different and that you are special and loved for being who you are."
"You are not protecting children by banning LGBTQIA+ materials and shielding them from gay culture. You are hurting them! Inclusive materials are about nothing more than protecting LGBTQIA+ children and giving them a safe space; it ensures that they know they are normal, loved, and accepted." Eric Chassey/Bianca Knight
MassEquality's Banned Book Fair & Drag Queen Story Hour is free to attend and open to the public. MassEquality invites families with children of all ages to join in this celebration of diversity and creative self-expression. We will have representatives from All She Wrote Books, Brookline Booksmith, Trident Booksellers Greater Boston PFlag, GLSEN and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, children's games and entertainment and free books!