WHAT IS DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR?
It’s just what it sounds like! Storytellers using the art of drag to read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores.
DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.
In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves!
“Drag Queen Story Hour is a fun and important program that celebrates diversity in the way that children may dress and act. It encourages children to look beyond gender stereotypes and embrace unfettered exploration of self. Programs like DQSH encourage acceptance of difference and help to prevent bullying, while providing an enjoyable literary experience.”
—Judy Zuckerman, Director of Youth and Family Services, Brooklyn Public Library
Events
Due to a bug in Facebook’s events widget, not all of our events are displayed on our website. Please visit our Facebook page to see our full list of upcoming events.
LET’S CREATE Magic!
Bookings are open for in-person and virtual Events!
DQSH is PROUD to offer a range of tailored-made employee experiences to add some sparkle to your team meetings and company-wide virtual events.
Our trained storytellers offer themed events ranging from our Pride story hours for the whole family, adult-centered employee experiences, bingos, and so much more!
DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR LIVESTREAM EXPERIENCE
Drag Queen Story Hour is committed to creating diverse, accessible, and safe spaces, so we wanted to share a brief update on our programming amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Most importantly, all DQSH events are produced locally and independently, so DQSH chapters and event organizers will determine whether events can safely move forward or if it’s better to cancel/postpone. We are strongly encouraging all organizers to consult with their local libraries/venues, governments, and community leaders, to take into account public health measures, and to consider the needs of our most at-risk community members (including elderly, disabled, chronically ill, and low-income folks).
To our audiences: Please check your “local listings” (including the FB event page and DQSH chapter’s or venue’s social media accounts) before heading out to see whether an event is taking place as originally advertised. And of course, if you’re not feeling well, please stay home or seek medical care — and know that we’re sending you rainbows of quick recovery!
(last updated March 12, 2020)
“What an amazing way to teach individuality, empathy, and acceptance! Drag Queen Story Hour gave my first graders a fun and interactive platform to talk and think about social and emotional issues like acceptance, being yourself, and loving who you are. Through books, songs, arts and crafts, and movement activities, they explored these issues and had an amazing time doing it! During our debrief after DQSH, they were preaching the incredible lessons they had learned, like “It’s ok to be different,” and “There’s no such thing as ‘boy’ things or ‘girl’ things.” I was proud to be able to have DQSH at my school and will definitely be planning another story hour for next year!”
—Alexis Hernandez, first grade teacher at PS 118, the Maurice Sendak Community School (Brooklyn)
Chapters
Drag Queen Story Hour events are happening all over the world at libraries, schools, bookstores, museums, summer camps, afterschool programs, and other community spaces! Each chapter is independently operated and funded. Click on the links below to connect with your local chapter.
If your community doesn’t yet have a chapter, contact [email protected] to request info about organizing your own event or chapter.
United States
Alabama
Arizona
California
Los Angeles
Palm Springs
San Diego
San Francisco Bay Area
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Miami
Tampa Bay
GEORGIA
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Nebraska
New Jersey
New York
Ithaca
Long Island
New York City
Westchester
North Carolina
Charlotte
Triangle Area (Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh)
OHIO
OREGON
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington, DC
Wisconsin
International Chapters
“Self-acceptance and self-love are what lead me to do drag. Once I learned how to embrace my femininity, I wanted to explore that and express it in a creative way. Drag is the perfect outlet for me to do so. Through DQSH, I hope to be a positive, queer role model for kids. It’s important kids know that it’s okay to be different. Diversity is part of what makes humanity beautiful, and I’m just one example or facet of what that looks like.”
—Cholula Lemon, storyteller, DQSH NYC
“It’s really beautiful to have drag queens painting children’s faces and telling stories. It’s a kid’s world to be very imaginative. If children were allowed they would dress up every day. I don’t think they’re thinking about gender assumptions. They’re just seeing the drag queens as other people who are being imaginative.”
—Juli Delgado Lopera, co-founder of DQSH and former Executive Director of RADAR Productions
“Drag Queen Story Hour is a wonderful program that helps to bring acceptance of diversity to our communities. At the most recent DQSH at The Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library, the presenter, Black Benatar, read ‘My Princess Boy,’ by Cheryl Kilodavis. When she finished reading, she asked the children (about 40 of them), “If you met a Princess Boy, would you make fun of him?” and all the children said, “No!” Then she asked them if they would ask him to play with them, and they all said, “Yes!” I had tears in my eyes, it was so beautiful and moving. This program is more important than ever.”
—Bix Warden, Children’s Librarian, San Francisco Public Library
Media
“Tall Tales with True Queens” is a short film directed by Kristina Budelis and Leandro Badalotti that offers a taste of Drag Queen Story Hour from our NYC chapter. As 9-year-old attendee Lilli says in the film, “Drag queens should go on and never stop, because I think it’s a really cool program.” The film was scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival (canceled due to the pandemic) and premiered on the LGBTQ news site them.
Press Coverage
Drag Queen Story Hours have been covered in a whole bunch of media, from the New York Times to The Guardian, Vice, and beyond! Check out some of our favorite stories below.
Drag Queen Story Hour has also appeared in: NBC News, CBS News, Associated Press, Cosmopolitan, Daily Mail (UK), KQED Arts, School Library Journal, International Business Times (Australia), Attitude Magazine (UK), Tablet, OutBuzz, A Plus, Soule, Illustrated Impact, Brooklyn Paper, Thirteen’s Metrofocus, NY1, WNYC, Fox 5 NYC, and more!
Write About Drag queen story hour
If you’re a reporter who would like to cover one of our upcoming events, please reach out to the local chapter or contact [email protected].
PHOTOS
“Drag Queen Story Hour is a safe space, and it is a reminder that for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider that they can find community—both in real time, and in the escape of literature.”
—Miss Terra Cotta Sugarbaker, DQSH Atlanta
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list for the latest updates on DQSH news and events. You’ll also automatically be entered to win fabulous prizes each month!
Please note that this newsletter is for the Drag Queen Story Hour global network. Some chapters may use our list to send local event announcements monthly (based on your zip code or geolocation), while others maintain their own email lists separately.
“DQSH opens a child’s eyes to what being different is all about,” says Elektra, who recently read a book called Everyone Is Different. “It has to start somewhere. I wish, when I was growing up, there was a program like this where they can explain and teach children to accept anyone… It doesn’t matter what gender you are, or where you come from, we’re all people, we’re all human, and we should love ourselves first.”
—Angel Elektra, DQSH Westchester and NYC
Donate
#STANDWITHSTORYHOUR
From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for standing with Drag Queen Story Hour. We can’t continue this essential work without your help: every dollar helps, from $5 to $500 and beyond!
Or contact your local chapter to make a donation!
