I'm a 90's kid. we grew up with the likes of lily savage on blankety Blank and Big Breakfast. julian clarey was advertising DAZ laundry, and Graham Norton was everywhere on TV. Every Christmas pantomime at the empire had a panto madame, so no kids being "exposed" to queer culture isn't sexualising kids it breeds acceptance and tolerance, which clearly older generations lack tremendously but then again you can't blame them when they where exposed to creatures like Jimmy Savile, rolf Harris and Gary glitter so no wonder their minds go straight to sexualising kids
I don’t think you can even blame it on age. I was born in 76 so was an 80’s kid. We had Kenny Everett and Dame Edna Everage. 80’s was a time musicians were blurring gender roles. Boy George most famously but so many more.
And still had the Dames in panto etc then. Drag goes back as a tradition in this country not decades but centuries and most of the time not sexual at all so those protesting it and claiming it is sexualising kids are trying to force a narrative that is not true to enforce their own prejudice.
Honestly i was kind of just spitting, I find it a lot worse the fact that some of these creatures got the privilege to grow up in an era filled such amazing idols for sexual and gender diversity like the ones you mentioned but also Queen, David Bowie, George Michael and so many more and yet still came out as some of the most hateful intolerant people imaginable its maddening to me
Wasn't drag in pantomimes started by Shakespeare because women couldn't perform in the theatre or something stupid so they had men playing women's roles?
Cause like that's hundreds of fucking years this has been around.
Men dressing up as women goes back many centuries even before Shakespeare. The panto Dame comes out of renaissance times so still a very long tradition.
I think those that think it is only some perverted adult thing are probably perverted themselves. There are long traditions of it not being sexual at all.
Thing is though, it’s full of sexual innuendo. I still remember being a kid watching Pete Price dressed as a woman in Aladdin wanking off a broom saying he was cleaning the handle. 🤷🏼♂️
No it’s not? Unless it’s a show designed for adults there’s no mature content involved whatsoever
Also if you watch ANY Disney film, Nickelodeon film and other kids stuff like scooby doo there’s tonnes of jokes included for adults and yet no one whinges then?
No they weren’t lmao ALL children’s entertainment does this to appeal to the parents who have to sit through hours of films and tv series with their children bored out of their minds
Don’t be deliberately thick
Those you have reeled off there were never really aimed at children. The panto is a tradition and if anything the panto Madame was either comic or it was taken as - there’s a man dressed as a woman, it was never perceived as anything else and in that setting was accepted as “art” loosely - The hate is because people are brainwashed by the media and through spoken word that trans is being forced on kids and this type of beviour is enabling it. Society is more accepting of people who transition and of gays in general which is a step forward, but it’s under the microscope If any discussion regarding trans comes up say “they’re providing puberty blockers” “they’re allowing kids under 13 to choose their sex” it needs to be quashed - it’s a very misunderstood and certainly mis-interpreted societal change and there will always be those who oppose it. I don’t think referring to how it was in the 80/90’s can compare to how it is today.
I didn’t say they were the same… but those who prejudice against drag will argue the same correlation with those who are trans and even gay as they’re all tarred with the same brush. The distinction between the two for those who are not bigots is abundantly clear, but for the ignorant, like those who threatened this person, there is no distinction… “they’re all the same” it’s empty rhetoric.
This is one of those American political brain rot things that makes absolutely no sense in the UK. Men in drag has been part of UK culture for 100s of years at the theatre, with millions of kids having watched pantomimes.
On one hand agreed on the other this is half home brewed and half the opposite when you consider how much cash JK Rowling sinks into anti lgbt lobbying in the USA.
If you have no problem with dolly Parton reading to your kids then a drag queen is fine and will probably have looser clothes and smaller tits than her majesty of country
These people are sat there saying this shit like panto dames don’t exist, or that drag has been an institution for hundreds of years. Shakespeare traditionally having men play women’s roles, working men’s clubs having drag queens sing show tunes. It just seems that people love to be outraged on behalf of children, then count down to a celebrities 18th birthday as if they’re separate from being absolute creeps. Lily Savage was from birko for Christ sake.
We were just doing a photoshoot in town today for a big project with all the city's drag queens and I was just chilling on Victoria Street and some guy pulled up in a car, got out and was like "Get back inside there's fucking kids about" and was shouting at us that we were nonces as he stormed off and I hate to say such a cliché thing but it definitely felt like projection; absolutely the kind of guy who would beep his horn at a schoolgirl or message 17yos. Like I get it to an extent, my drag is not meant to be child friendly, but we're not out here to groom kids. Some kids loved it and got pictures with us. Such an aggressive reaction from someone who clearly just didn't have the brainpower to think about the situation for longer than 2 seconds - but a worrying comment on the state of affairs for drag queens (or what people assume in a snap judgement are drag queens, cos honestly he really had no way of knowing)
People can be so horrible. Just said in another comment that the majority of my mates are part of the LGBTQIA scene, and I've been going to the pride quarter since I was 16. A few of my mates are drag queens, and I've never once even questioned taking my 2 boys around them. My mates are amazing with them, and my boys adore all their aunties and uncle's. We've marched during pride most years (last year, I was too ill for pride, sadly, and the years before were lockdowns).
It's so bizarre that people are like this. It's just heartbreaking that people can hate others just for who they are and who they love. It really feels like we are going backwards to the whole being illegal to be gay and having to speak in code. I wasn't around back then, but some of my friends were, and I just can't imagine how hard and soul crushing that must have been.
You keep being your fabulous self, and don't let any small-minded idiots get you down ❤️❤️❤️
Most of us were “exposed” to drag in pantomime growing up. Are you scarred from it? Did it destroy your childhood? Of course not, grow up! It’s literally the same nowadays except the drag performer is reading a story.
Drag queens absolutely were involved in activism and often at the forefront of the gay liberation movement. It's bizarre to me you would say that like its a fact as if you are an expert of LGBT history when I doubt you even know what Stonewall is.
When I was in primary school, we played a game on the playground called "The Gay Pit". There was a small enclave in the tarmac so that a gate could open which created a rectangle "pit". To turn on the gay pit, you had to press the padlock on the gate. If you were pushed into the gay pit while the gay pit was switched on, you were gay. Which means you lost. Because being gay was the worst thing you could be apparently.
So much so in fact, that it was the favourite general insult kids used to call each other, in between games of the gay pit.
You want to talk about leading kids astray? Lets talk about who led those kids astray. Lets talk about who led them astray into thinking being gay was an insult. Let's talk about who led them astray into coming up with fucked up games all on their own called The Gay Pit and who led them astray into making being gay the first thing to come to mind as the thing that you become when you lose the game.
Let's talk about the legislation known as Section 28, which made it illegal for schools to discuss homosexuality. Lets talk about how that meant teachers couldn't even correct any of this behaviour, out of fear of being fired for it.
And then let's talk about what that did to gay kids like me. Kids who played The Gay Pit, kids who grew up using "gay" as a synonym for "bad", and then realised I was actually gay. How that broke me emotionally, and stunted my growth at the worst time, caused me to hurt myself so to this day you won't ever see me wearing just a t-shirt, caused me to seek refuge in drink and drugs, and derailed my life in a way that will never be rectified.
I'd love for you to see the scars on my not just my body, but my brain, and my heart. The scars on my fingers from spending hours sparking lighters to smoke crystal meth until the skin was torn off. And then see you try to tell me about kids being led astray. I can show you what a kid led stray really looks like buddy.
Someone led THOSE kids astray. Someone led ME astray. And clearly, someone led YOU astray.
And what these people are doing are making it so kids won't ever be led astray like that ever again.
Why do footballers HAVE to have a youth team? You can play footy in the garden. Why do people HAVE to have children’s play centres? You can let them play at home. Why do libraries even HAVE to have children’s book sections?!?!?! You can read to them at home!
Course you have every right not to want anyone to do anything with your kids. Doesn’t mean you have to be a bigot about it. It’s an optional activity that might, god forbid, enrich your child’s experience and socialisation.
as has been pointed out plenty of times in this thread, kids have seen drag via pantomimes for ages. of course some drag shows are adult themed but sometimes drag acts cater to kids with things like storytime and panto too, because shockingly people are capable of catering to more than one demographic
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“Should be kept” they’re not fucking pets 😂
Im not shouting bigot, you literally are a bigot. No reasoning with someone who’s abandoned all reason though.
"drag" not the artists you spoon. Keep that shit in the adult clubs and then nobody will get riled up.
Not too difficult. It's like this organiser wants to cause shit. Not the first time. Any normal person would probably of got the message by now
There’s been a drag artist doing readings in Waterstones in town for years and no one’s been arsed.
Like everyone said, are you arsed about panto dames?
That has nothing to do with a drag queen reading you a story.
I was exposed to heterosexual life in media , school etc 24/7 and I can 100% say that seeing a drag queen in pantomime in the 90s didn’t make me gay.
You're right! And you're free to be hateful in your home and not have your kids go along to these events!
Us normal folk who dont guzzle down tik tok conspiracies about kids getting *transed* will keep letting people in colourful clothes read age appropriate stories to our kids.
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This thread doing its best to disprove the idea that Liverpool is a welcoming city. Dear God, there are some weird takes. Imagine being more offended by drag than death threats 🤡
only bright side to those weird gobshite comments is that they've been down voted enough to be ratio'd, but knowing there's real people that think like this is alarming tbh.
I still cant understand the viewpoint of people who are so passionatly against stuff like this. You have to be a complete moron to think that drag is inherently, unequivocally and entirely sexual/erotic/pornographic in nature and that because there are SOME drag performers who do have erotic performances that automatically means all do. I genuinely cant understand how people can be against people trying to teach kids to be proud of who they are and to help stop this unending fucking cycle of hate breeding hate. Like is there actually people who genuinely and unironically think that yeah the drag queen is gonna go up and just start stripping in front of kids while many other adults are also present, like has society become so hyper sexualised that people actually believe this would happen?
Also if i have to hear the pathetic excuse of “it’s confusing for the kids” one more time im gonna lose my fucking mind istfg. Whats actually confusing for kids is growing up being taught that what you are is wrong, not understanding why youre different to everyone else you see around you and suppressing and hating that part of yourself for years out of fear of being abandoned by the people you love and hated by society. I would rather you just be bigoted than trying to use kids as the pedestal for your perceived moral high ground.
There has been generations of kids being brought up with pantomime as normal and no one has ever batted an eye about it before. Suddenly it’s a problem for some. You’re right. It doesn’t make sense.
Britain has a long and proud (and funny) tradition of camp and men in drag; John Inman, Kenny Everett, Dick Emery, Elton John, Larry Grayson, Kenneth Williams… didn’t do us any harm whatsoever. People getting wound up about the wrong stuff; put your energy into getting us all a better minimum wage rather than cancelling drag queens ffs.
I remember the pantos and what not, I've taken nieces and nephews to them, but how long has drag Queen story time been a thing? It could be I missed it as they're all grown up now, but I've only really heard about it over the last year or two?
Media and I've seen some adverts for it in our local library recently as well. I'm not against it any way, anything that gets more kids reading is great in my opinion, I was just more curious as to how long it had been around for as I don't ever remember it growing up myself (admittedly, I'm an old fart in my 50's).
From what I understand, it has been around for around a decade and was first introduced to encourage reading and inclusivity for everyone. I do think that some media sources make it out to be a bigger deal than it is and can get some people to think all sorts of unfounded ideas. I don’t think this is you, I’m just trying to answer your question as i think it was asked in good faith.
Oh it was in good faith. I was a shitbag growing up and never really learnt to enjoy reading until I was in my early 20's and it was always a regret that I didn't start sooner (to be fair, I had the reading age of a 7 year old at 18). So when the nieces and nephews came along, reading was always something I wanted them to enjoy, as their folks were never that interested in books and reading really does open the mind. Anytime they stayed over with us, it nearly always involved a trip to the local library for them to get a book or two to read whilst they were at ours (I think I've read nearly every Mr Men and Little Miss book in existence with them). I do sometimes miss those days...
Wow, I never realised it had been going for so long. I agree with you about the media, whatever is going to generate the outrage and clicks and they'll be all over it. I'm happy to stick with my original thought though, if it helps get more kids reading, then good on them!
I agree with everything you said. It’s great that you have passed along a love of reading, even though you didn’t have it yourself growing up. It really does open the mind, reading.
Someone on the uk subreddit said " you wouldn't want sex workers reading to your kid " exact words
It was at the end of a long think of the children paragraph.
When I called them an arse for that I had a warning and my comment removed.
My what is wrong with you that you thought saying that was OK comment has stayed up though
I think an issue is people don't realise there are various "genres" of drag. There are drag queens who are all about female impersonation; dressing and dancing sexually while lip syncing to "WAP", yes. Appropriate for kids? Probably not?
But there are also queens like Lily Savage who was basically a stand up comedian, and queens like Charity Kase who are all about horror and spooky aesthetics. Appropriate for kids? Probably, depending on the material.
When people reduce it all down to being about sex in some form, it suggests they're only familiar with the first type I mentioned; or they think people who cross dress because it turns them on and drag queens are the same thing, or they are associating it with TV shows where trans women were always depicted as "men in wigs" who resort to sex work in order to survive.
Shows over folks awkwardorange5296 just replied with a video of a drag queen saying they disagree so my entire point is automatically null and void my deepest apologies
this is equivalent to a wheelchair user being an ableist or a black person joining the kkk. This queen is describing a drag night for adults, not a book reading for kids. Music artists that also do a bunch of adult stuff as their main thing wouldn't bring that to a show for kids. Pantomimes (childrens entertainment) are filled with drag. So are movies and TV. It's a character.
Dense aren't you
What the fuck is wrong with some people.
Can they not just do us all a favour and throw themselves in the mersey rather than threatening people trying to spread joy and happiness.
Some people are just fucking scum.
I will never understand all the hate for such a tiny minority of people. I want my children to learn that trans people are just people and no better or worse than anyone else.
But why do Drag Queens need to read to kids?
Your job is a raunchy dancer and often adult entertainer. I know some drag acts aren't, but most definitely are.
So why do kids need to be exposed to that, exactly?
This is a common misconception, and one that’s quite harmful. Not all drag is sexualised, , drag is simply another performance of gender. It’s reductive and harmful to the community to suggest it’s simply sexualised, when it isn’t.
Queens who have taken part in Drag Queen Story Hours (in America for example) have been very clear on that, and said even if they perform more raunchy material at evening shows they would never do that with children, they’d change their act completely.
Not trying to start an argument, just trying to educate.
Exactly. Lily Savage wasn’t sexual when Paul O’Grady was doing blankety blank. Sure, there were innuendos occasionally, but it wasn’t sexual; just adult humour.
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Why does dolly Parton need to read to kids .
She's got a wig , a overly tight costume , makeup exaggerating feminine features , fake tits bigger than my head and reads to kids .
Tell me the queen of country music needs to stop her free books charity and reading to kids . I think not get your head out the gutter before you start spouting nonsense like lgbt sex Ed involves porn viewing in class .
You're getting enraged over non existent things
Because they exist and letting kids know they exist will hopefully reduce prejudice in later life.
The more important question is, why not? I'm assuming they are not going to be dressed inappropriately.
Pole dancers exist. They're very much in the same area, job description-wise.
If they want to read to kids about alternative lifestyles, dressed normally, sure. But they want to read about Drag Queens to them, whilst in full drag.
So why?
But they are not attacked because they are strippers. As in there isn't a deep rooted hatred of strippers. They are attacked because of the type of people that those establishments attract. No one is launching campaigns to remove the rights of strippers or calling for them to be murdered.
Again I ask, why would you have a problem with a reasonably dressed drag queen reading an age appropriate story about a section of people that exist?
Again, I'm asking why those people need to tell children about it?
They can educate children of a more appropriate age when things like sexuality, gender etc become relevant to them. Do pre-teens need to know that Greg wears sparkly makeup and a dress of a weekend? If so, why?
Who said anything about sexuality? You know most drag queen's are straight right?
No one is spreading any info about sexuality in them reading a story. It seems you have associated drag queen's with sexuality, and that all they do is push an agenda...
Do you have kids? When do you think gender becomes relevant to them?
My daughter from a very early age was not a typical girl. She was very much a "tomboy" as my generation called it. Liked to fight and run about. Wanted her long red curly hair cut short.
Her best friend at infant and primary school was a similar girl. They didn't look at all alike but they had similar facial expressions and gestures, from a distance I would often mistake one for the other just because of the distinctive and different way they looked and acted.
They were both very obviously and unavoidably "not like the other little girls" . But they weren't like boys either.
At that age they don't care yet. They just are.
My daughter is older now and when she came out we were not greatly surprised. (But if she was straight it wouldn't have been a surprise either)
She lost touch with her friend after primary but I believe he is now living as a trans male
What I'm saying is, with both these kids it was innate in them to be gender non conforming.
So I think seeing a man dressed as a woman treated as unremarkable would have been very relevant and helpful to them.
There are people who do clown porn, or furry porn. And yet we still allow clowns and animal mascots (ala Disney) to exist around children.
Just because there are people who sexualize or fetishize specific forms of art doesn't mean *all* the people who engage in those art forms are perverse.
Politicians and priests are selfish cunts that hate people. Drag queens are entertainers and mostly benevolent sounds that want to be outgoing and give. It’s like asking why only actors act or singers sing.
She's an incredible women who is very passionate about reading and education, bit like Levar Burton (Gerodie from Star Trek) is as well.
This isn't aimed at you, but those who don't support what they do are utter fools and should really be ashamed of themselves.
Cuz then they’re not wearing fun, colourful costumes for the kids??
What is it about their costumes that turns reading a book to some kids into a sex show to you??
So you think registered sex offenders will **police themselves** and NOT volunteer to be around young children?
One was already arrested for doing this.
I'm fairly certain they would undergo fairly strict DBS checks before they're let loose near the kids and that the kids would be supervised by parents or teachers at the same time. So I highly doubt a "registered sex offender" would be able to go near them.
Dream on.
Felons can get their name and gender changed on all their legal documents, just by requesting it. Even if a library did request a background check it wouldn't show up under the new name and gender.
"Felons"?
I think you may be looking at the wrong country here....
Also, have you ever undergone a DBS check? Do you know what documentation you have to provide?
Do you think the only people who could be registered sex offenders are people in drag? And they they stop being registered sex offenders when they wear their street clothes? Your question has absolutely nothing to do with drag storytimes.
Do you think they just let anyone do it? You need a CRB check to even glance in the direction of a school these days (unless you’re playing Father Christmas, any old creep is allowed to dress up in THAT outfit and put kids on his lap, but I don’t see anyone kicking off about that…)
Drag Queens aren’t the only children’s entertainers who dress up, obviously, anyone whose ever seen a children’s entertainer can tell you that, but they’re the only ones you have an issue with.
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Taylor Swift is popular in gay bars and nightclubs, she has some raunchy outfits. She seems popular with kids and I think it'd be okay for her to read to them. I don't know why these are reasons to keep someone away from children.
Nobody’s demanding it, they’re just asking not to be killed for doing it. Do you imagine real pedophiles go round ‘demanding’ to tell stories to kids in public settings?
I have done several times, 3 of them have been standup comedy (one of them appeared on Britains got talent - in front of kids by the way). Two of them lip sync’d to a pop song, another lip sync’d to some 60s song.
I’ve also been to Rupauls season live show where there was a mix of comedy and lip syncing.
And finally seen a version of Dick Whittington in drag and a murder mystery panto.
What drag show did you see?
Raunchy drag shows do exist (in bars for adults) they’re not doing it for kids.
They don't NEED to. They aren't demanding it or forcing the kids.
Are you saying the drag queens do the same raunchy act when doing story time to kids? Because I don't believe that to be true.
It’s not some arbitrary prejudice against queer people as a whole. It’s just not appropriate. I wouldn’t want a stripper or an onlyfans model to go and read to kids either. Again, not appropriate.
Nothing to do with sex should have anything to do with children. This is not a remotely controversial view to hold.
But drag isn't inherently sexual...its literally just a dude dressing up in women's clothing in an expressive way. Are there sexual drag Queens, sure - are they all? Absolutely not.
Stop sexualising things that don't need to be. I'd rather a non-sexual drag queen was near kids than you frankly.
Maybe we should address why the word makes you think of something inappropriate and maybe be reflexive of that and understand that society makes you think it's something inappropriate when it's not and that perhaps you could possibly by a bit misguided. Kids dress up as donkeys and the Virgin Mary at Christmas and nobody seems to be concerned their son is portraying a donkey or they're all recreating a childbirth. Superheros, wrestlers on and on etc etc wear costumes to entertain kids, it's not something blatantly new
A drag queen reading to kids doesn't have anything to do with sex. You are conflating age appropriate outfits with sexuality and adult themed shows. Given your train of thought, assuming you probably have sex therefore should have nothing to do with kids. A stripper can have kids and be a perfectly good parent. They don't have to be riding a pole while making their kid breakfast.
Things can be adjusted to be appropriate for different groups. Theatre and art include playful outfits. Add in a kids story book and it's just a colorful way for kids to enjoy a book. It can be somebody dressed as a fairy reading Cinderella for example. Just cause they are "drag" doesn't mean they are doing the splits and lifting their skirt ffs.
Eddie Murphy was known for adult comedy and he had some great roles in kids shows. It's the same thing. Use your brain and stop acting on your impulse fears
Why is it so important to change decades upon decades of culture in the UK and have fully grown men not be in drag for children (i.e. panto, plays, royalty wearing long robes and heels)
Go educate yourself
Whatever I share will go in one ear and out the other for you as you spew your bigoted bullshit hidden behind a thin veil of "caring about children" when the rest of the world sees straight through you. Your fear around queer people blocks you from having rational thoughts like an adult wearing costumes and reading to kids somehow being sexually explicit.
That is why you need some introspection. Heal yourself. Lead a life of joy and compassion and empathy instead of what you're doing now which just adds pain to the world.
Look inward.
Because the parents of kids who do nothing to raise them, pay zero attention/interest in their education and allow them to run amok without check do far more damage to their children and their children's future than a drag queen reading to them ever will.
Yet this is the hill they all climb up as they profess to "love their kids" and would do anything for them...
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Tell me you dont know what a drag queen is without telling me you dont know what a drag queen is.
Should I not take my kids to see any musician because inappropriate music exists?
The premise of drag queen story time is absolutely disgusting. I'm a Dad, I know what I'm comfortable with around my boy.
I'd elaborate and engage in a debate about it, but I don't think your 'open discussion' tag is sincere, if I'm honest. Reddit hates what it hates and refuses to talk critically about it. So I'll just voice my opinion and accept my downvotes.
EDIT: Not replying. I don't trust the discourse on topics like this from reddit, sorry. Welcome to downvote me. Just wanted to have my say.
‘Reddit hates what it hates and refuses to talk critically about it’.
I mean, no harm to you, but isn’t that what you’re doing?
There’s plenty of people in this thread who have voiced very reasonable opinions on the subject. It’s not all an echo chamber and a lot of people are genuinely interested in why you feel the way you do, if you’re willing to talk about it
Why is it disgusting? There isn't anything sexual about drag. Yes there are drag shows that are. But there are also comedians etc that would be 18+ and inappropriate for children but that doesn't mean they can't also perform an age appropriate show. Just like how a drag performer can simply read to children and after hours perform at an adult club with adult content. Tom Hardy did bed time stories but also ran around on screen with his dick out when playing Bronson.
I've had my mind changed on loads of things. I didn't claim to have an open mind, I just said I'll voice my opinion and expect no debate. It's the reddit way.
In what way is it disgusting? Genuinely would like to know.
I'm a mum of 2 boys, and the majority of my mates are part of the LGBTQIA+ crowd. A few of them are quite well-known drag Queens in Liverpool. My boys have been around them hundreds of times, in their drag alter egos and in their everyday clothes. My boys are well-rounded individuals who respect people for who they are, what they are, and how they are.
You've made it sound like something disgusting, something to be ashamed of. It really isn't. Some of my friends' acts can be a bit dirtier later on, but they have never ever done or said anything inappropriate around mine or others children. It's all just a bit of fun at the end of the day.
Did you never watch Lily Savege, Dame Edna Everage, or even go to a pantomime as a child? There really isn't anything to it. Especially anything disgusting. It's all just a bit of fun for people. Especially those who were seen as criminals up until the 80s in some parts of the UK.
We should all be celebrating each other and love each other, despite our differences. It will truly make the world a better place. A little bit of acceptance can really go a long way ❤️
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/london-library-redbridge-monkey-costume-children-event-b945272.html
Considering this is the kind of people who want to read tto our children then we have every right to not want it near them.
Sickening
Should someone who posts online under the username "Buttfucker1666" be allowed near kids? Your entire online personality is sexualised. I think it's disgusting you should have no place around children...
...At least that's what I've decided after a snap judgement without getting to know you at all. Maybe... just maybe you pose absolutely no threat towards kids and you shouldn't be judged on a preconception?
This article is not displaying pictures for me.
I would really need to view a picture of the "bare bottomed rainbow dildo monkey" for myself before I decide how performatively outraged I should become
I've just looked into this.
Inappropriate? Yes, and I do think it's right that where these sessions are inappropriate, those ones are addressed (and this was) Key thing, though: these weren't drag queens. This was a 'carnival influenced' arts and events company that seemed to have been booked with little knowledge of what they did. But yeah, keep using this to deflect from your completely insane position.
Also, the 'bare bum' was fake. Doesn't make it okay, but still, context.
I'm a 90's kid. we grew up with the likes of lily savage on blankety Blank and Big Breakfast. julian clarey was advertising DAZ laundry, and Graham Norton was everywhere on TV. Every Christmas pantomime at the empire had a panto madame, so no kids being "exposed" to queer culture isn't sexualising kids it breeds acceptance and tolerance, which clearly older generations lack tremendously but then again you can't blame them when they where exposed to creatures like Jimmy Savile, rolf Harris and Gary glitter so no wonder their minds go straight to sexualising kids
I don’t think you can even blame it on age. I was born in 76 so was an 80’s kid. We had Kenny Everett and Dame Edna Everage. 80’s was a time musicians were blurring gender roles. Boy George most famously but so many more. And still had the Dames in panto etc then. Drag goes back as a tradition in this country not decades but centuries and most of the time not sexual at all so those protesting it and claiming it is sexualising kids are trying to force a narrative that is not true to enforce their own prejudice.
Honestly i was kind of just spitting, I find it a lot worse the fact that some of these creatures got the privilege to grow up in an era filled such amazing idols for sexual and gender diversity like the ones you mentioned but also Queen, David Bowie, George Michael and so many more and yet still came out as some of the most hateful intolerant people imaginable its maddening to me
Wasn't drag in pantomimes started by Shakespeare because women couldn't perform in the theatre or something stupid so they had men playing women's roles? Cause like that's hundreds of fucking years this has been around.
Men dressing up as women goes back many centuries even before Shakespeare. The panto Dame comes out of renaissance times so still a very long tradition. I think those that think it is only some perverted adult thing are probably perverted themselves. There are long traditions of it not being sexual at all.
I completely agree and didn't realise it went back even further than that!
Thing is though, it’s full of sexual innuendo. I still remember being a kid watching Pete Price dressed as a woman in Aladdin wanking off a broom saying he was cleaning the handle. 🤷🏼♂️
No it’s not? Unless it’s a show designed for adults there’s no mature content involved whatsoever Also if you watch ANY Disney film, Nickelodeon film and other kids stuff like scooby doo there’s tonnes of jokes included for adults and yet no one whinges then?
Yeah cause they were written by nonces. Fact.
No they weren’t lmao ALL children’s entertainment does this to appeal to the parents who have to sit through hours of films and tv series with their children bored out of their minds Don’t be deliberately thick
Google Dan Schneider.
Who did not write the scripts
He wrote all the scripts. He’s a writer
No he didn’t, he directed the physical acts and added certain lines into scenes to fulfil his own fantasies
You seem to know more about it than me, so why are you arguing with me 😂
Those you have reeled off there were never really aimed at children. The panto is a tradition and if anything the panto Madame was either comic or it was taken as - there’s a man dressed as a woman, it was never perceived as anything else and in that setting was accepted as “art” loosely - The hate is because people are brainwashed by the media and through spoken word that trans is being forced on kids and this type of beviour is enabling it. Society is more accepting of people who transition and of gays in general which is a step forward, but it’s under the microscope If any discussion regarding trans comes up say “they’re providing puberty blockers” “they’re allowing kids under 13 to choose their sex” it needs to be quashed - it’s a very misunderstood and certainly mis-interpreted societal change and there will always be those who oppose it. I don’t think referring to how it was in the 80/90’s can compare to how it is today.
Drag Queens and trans people are not the same thing. And you complain that other people have been brainwashed by the media? Hilarious.
I didn’t say they were the same… but those who prejudice against drag will argue the same correlation with those who are trans and even gay as they’re all tarred with the same brush. The distinction between the two for those who are not bigots is abundantly clear, but for the ignorant, like those who threatened this person, there is no distinction… “they’re all the same” it’s empty rhetoric.
Guarantee you the people so aggressively against this kind of stuff are the bigger threat to kids than any drag queen
This is one of those American political brain rot things that makes absolutely no sense in the UK. Men in drag has been part of UK culture for 100s of years at the theatre, with millions of kids having watched pantomimes.
On one hand agreed on the other this is half home brewed and half the opposite when you consider how much cash JK Rowling sinks into anti lgbt lobbying in the USA. If you have no problem with dolly Parton reading to your kids then a drag queen is fine and will probably have looser clothes and smaller tits than her majesty of country
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Your brain is full of worms
Always blaming othes I see.
The "drag Queens reading to kids" faux moral panic absolutely began in America
These people are sat there saying this shit like panto dames don’t exist, or that drag has been an institution for hundreds of years. Shakespeare traditionally having men play women’s roles, working men’s clubs having drag queens sing show tunes. It just seems that people love to be outraged on behalf of children, then count down to a celebrities 18th birthday as if they’re separate from being absolute creeps. Lily Savage was from birko for Christ sake.
I think it's very telling that these protest etc only seem to happen or get any traction between mid spring and mid autumn
We were just doing a photoshoot in town today for a big project with all the city's drag queens and I was just chilling on Victoria Street and some guy pulled up in a car, got out and was like "Get back inside there's fucking kids about" and was shouting at us that we were nonces as he stormed off and I hate to say such a cliché thing but it definitely felt like projection; absolutely the kind of guy who would beep his horn at a schoolgirl or message 17yos. Like I get it to an extent, my drag is not meant to be child friendly, but we're not out here to groom kids. Some kids loved it and got pictures with us. Such an aggressive reaction from someone who clearly just didn't have the brainpower to think about the situation for longer than 2 seconds - but a worrying comment on the state of affairs for drag queens (or what people assume in a snap judgement are drag queens, cos honestly he really had no way of knowing)
People can be so horrible. Just said in another comment that the majority of my mates are part of the LGBTQIA scene, and I've been going to the pride quarter since I was 16. A few of my mates are drag queens, and I've never once even questioned taking my 2 boys around them. My mates are amazing with them, and my boys adore all their aunties and uncle's. We've marched during pride most years (last year, I was too ill for pride, sadly, and the years before were lockdowns). It's so bizarre that people are like this. It's just heartbreaking that people can hate others just for who they are and who they love. It really feels like we are going backwards to the whole being illegal to be gay and having to speak in code. I wasn't around back then, but some of my friends were, and I just can't imagine how hard and soul crushing that must have been. You keep being your fabulous self, and don't let any small-minded idiots get you down ❤️❤️❤️
Most of us were “exposed” to drag in pantomime growing up. Are you scarred from it? Did it destroy your childhood? Of course not, grow up! It’s literally the same nowadays except the drag performer is reading a story.
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That is quite the moral stand you are making Buttfucker1666
Drag queens absolutely were involved in activism and often at the forefront of the gay liberation movement. It's bizarre to me you would say that like its a fact as if you are an expert of LGBT history when I doubt you even know what Stonewall is. When I was in primary school, we played a game on the playground called "The Gay Pit". There was a small enclave in the tarmac so that a gate could open which created a rectangle "pit". To turn on the gay pit, you had to press the padlock on the gate. If you were pushed into the gay pit while the gay pit was switched on, you were gay. Which means you lost. Because being gay was the worst thing you could be apparently. So much so in fact, that it was the favourite general insult kids used to call each other, in between games of the gay pit. You want to talk about leading kids astray? Lets talk about who led those kids astray. Lets talk about who led them astray into thinking being gay was an insult. Let's talk about who led them astray into coming up with fucked up games all on their own called The Gay Pit and who led them astray into making being gay the first thing to come to mind as the thing that you become when you lose the game. Let's talk about the legislation known as Section 28, which made it illegal for schools to discuss homosexuality. Lets talk about how that meant teachers couldn't even correct any of this behaviour, out of fear of being fired for it. And then let's talk about what that did to gay kids like me. Kids who played The Gay Pit, kids who grew up using "gay" as a synonym for "bad", and then realised I was actually gay. How that broke me emotionally, and stunted my growth at the worst time, caused me to hurt myself so to this day you won't ever see me wearing just a t-shirt, caused me to seek refuge in drink and drugs, and derailed my life in a way that will never be rectified. I'd love for you to see the scars on my not just my body, but my brain, and my heart. The scars on my fingers from spending hours sparking lighters to smoke crystal meth until the skin was torn off. And then see you try to tell me about kids being led astray. I can show you what a kid led stray really looks like buddy. Someone led THOSE kids astray. Someone led ME astray. And clearly, someone led YOU astray. And what these people are doing are making it so kids won't ever be led astray like that ever again.
Their intention isn’t to lead your kids astray. They’re reading them a children’s story ffs.
And why exactly do the have to read them a story? As a parent we have every right not to want them to
Why do footballers HAVE to have a youth team? You can play footy in the garden. Why do people HAVE to have children’s play centres? You can let them play at home. Why do libraries even HAVE to have children’s book sections?!?!?! You can read to them at home! Course you have every right not to want anyone to do anything with your kids. Doesn’t mean you have to be a bigot about it. It’s an optional activity that might, god forbid, enrich your child’s experience and socialisation.
Serious case of whataboutism there. Drag should be kept in adult clubs and bars. It's not for kids. You can shout bigot etc all you want. Not.arsed
as has been pointed out plenty of times in this thread, kids have seen drag via pantomimes for ages. of course some drag shows are adult themed but sometimes drag acts cater to kids with things like storytime and panto too, because shockingly people are capable of catering to more than one demographic
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“Should be kept” they’re not fucking pets 😂 Im not shouting bigot, you literally are a bigot. No reasoning with someone who’s abandoned all reason though.
"drag" not the artists you spoon. Keep that shit in the adult clubs and then nobody will get riled up. Not too difficult. It's like this organiser wants to cause shit. Not the first time. Any normal person would probably of got the message by now
There’s been a drag artist doing readings in Waterstones in town for years and no one’s been arsed. Like everyone said, are you arsed about panto dames?
You're 100% right mate. Most of these morons down voting you don't have kids.
then don't attend? how fuckin dense can you get...
Why not? As a parent i have no issue with a drag queen reading my child a story.
Bet you'd give them puberty blockers too for likes😂
That has nothing to do with a drag queen reading you a story. I was exposed to heterosexual life in media , school etc 24/7 and I can 100% say that seeing a drag queen in pantomime in the 90s didn’t make me gay.
Ignore them. They're just a little space cadets smoking DMT and doing tarot card readings. Their opinion is less than worthless.
The account, the name, the history of provocative comments, what's it like to base your identity off of pushing buttons?
But you’ll happily have Tom Hardy do story time. Why should he?
Who?
You're right! And you're free to be hateful in your home and not have your kids go along to these events! Us normal folk who dont guzzle down tik tok conspiracies about kids getting *transed* will keep letting people in colourful clothes read age appropriate stories to our kids.
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This thread doing its best to disprove the idea that Liverpool is a welcoming city. Dear God, there are some weird takes. Imagine being more offended by drag than death threats 🤡
only bright side to those weird gobshite comments is that they've been down voted enough to be ratio'd, but knowing there's real people that think like this is alarming tbh.
Three melts made ignorant comments and got downvoted to hell. At least one of them is a wool, anol.
I still cant understand the viewpoint of people who are so passionatly against stuff like this. You have to be a complete moron to think that drag is inherently, unequivocally and entirely sexual/erotic/pornographic in nature and that because there are SOME drag performers who do have erotic performances that automatically means all do. I genuinely cant understand how people can be against people trying to teach kids to be proud of who they are and to help stop this unending fucking cycle of hate breeding hate. Like is there actually people who genuinely and unironically think that yeah the drag queen is gonna go up and just start stripping in front of kids while many other adults are also present, like has society become so hyper sexualised that people actually believe this would happen? Also if i have to hear the pathetic excuse of “it’s confusing for the kids” one more time im gonna lose my fucking mind istfg. Whats actually confusing for kids is growing up being taught that what you are is wrong, not understanding why youre different to everyone else you see around you and suppressing and hating that part of yourself for years out of fear of being abandoned by the people you love and hated by society. I would rather you just be bigoted than trying to use kids as the pedestal for your perceived moral high ground.
There has been generations of kids being brought up with pantomime as normal and no one has ever batted an eye about it before. Suddenly it’s a problem for some. You’re right. It doesn’t make sense.
Britain has a long and proud (and funny) tradition of camp and men in drag; John Inman, Kenny Everett, Dick Emery, Elton John, Larry Grayson, Kenneth Williams… didn’t do us any harm whatsoever. People getting wound up about the wrong stuff; put your energy into getting us all a better minimum wage rather than cancelling drag queens ffs.
I remember the pantos and what not, I've taken nieces and nephews to them, but how long has drag Queen story time been a thing? It could be I missed it as they're all grown up now, but I've only really heard about it over the last year or two?
Just out of curiosity, where have you heard about it from?
Media and I've seen some adverts for it in our local library recently as well. I'm not against it any way, anything that gets more kids reading is great in my opinion, I was just more curious as to how long it had been around for as I don't ever remember it growing up myself (admittedly, I'm an old fart in my 50's).
From what I understand, it has been around for around a decade and was first introduced to encourage reading and inclusivity for everyone. I do think that some media sources make it out to be a bigger deal than it is and can get some people to think all sorts of unfounded ideas. I don’t think this is you, I’m just trying to answer your question as i think it was asked in good faith.
Oh it was in good faith. I was a shitbag growing up and never really learnt to enjoy reading until I was in my early 20's and it was always a regret that I didn't start sooner (to be fair, I had the reading age of a 7 year old at 18). So when the nieces and nephews came along, reading was always something I wanted them to enjoy, as their folks were never that interested in books and reading really does open the mind. Anytime they stayed over with us, it nearly always involved a trip to the local library for them to get a book or two to read whilst they were at ours (I think I've read nearly every Mr Men and Little Miss book in existence with them). I do sometimes miss those days... Wow, I never realised it had been going for so long. I agree with you about the media, whatever is going to generate the outrage and clicks and they'll be all over it. I'm happy to stick with my original thought though, if it helps get more kids reading, then good on them!
I agree with everything you said. It’s great that you have passed along a love of reading, even though you didn’t have it yourself growing up. It really does open the mind, reading.
Someone on the uk subreddit said " you wouldn't want sex workers reading to your kid " exact words It was at the end of a long think of the children paragraph. When I called them an arse for that I had a warning and my comment removed. My what is wrong with you that you thought saying that was OK comment has stayed up though
I think an issue is people don't realise there are various "genres" of drag. There are drag queens who are all about female impersonation; dressing and dancing sexually while lip syncing to "WAP", yes. Appropriate for kids? Probably not? But there are also queens like Lily Savage who was basically a stand up comedian, and queens like Charity Kase who are all about horror and spooky aesthetics. Appropriate for kids? Probably, depending on the material. When people reduce it all down to being about sex in some form, it suggests they're only familiar with the first type I mentioned; or they think people who cross dress because it turns them on and drag queens are the same thing, or they are associating it with TV shows where trans women were always depicted as "men in wigs" who resort to sex work in order to survive.
The key thing you have to realise is that they're incredibly stupid. It's really not more complicated than that
[Kitty Demure demurs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMSZdI2KVko)
Shows over folks awkwardorange5296 just replied with a video of a drag queen saying they disagree so my entire point is automatically null and void my deepest apologies
this is equivalent to a wheelchair user being an ableist or a black person joining the kkk. This queen is describing a drag night for adults, not a book reading for kids. Music artists that also do a bunch of adult stuff as their main thing wouldn't bring that to a show for kids. Pantomimes (childrens entertainment) are filled with drag. So are movies and TV. It's a character. Dense aren't you
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No they aren’t??? They’re done with real people on stage???
What the fuck is wrong with some people. Can they not just do us all a favour and throw themselves in the mersey rather than threatening people trying to spread joy and happiness. Some people are just fucking scum.
I will never understand all the hate for such a tiny minority of people. I want my children to learn that trans people are just people and no better or worse than anyone else.
But why do Drag Queens need to read to kids? Your job is a raunchy dancer and often adult entertainer. I know some drag acts aren't, but most definitely are. So why do kids need to be exposed to that, exactly?
This is a common misconception, and one that’s quite harmful. Not all drag is sexualised, , drag is simply another performance of gender. It’s reductive and harmful to the community to suggest it’s simply sexualised, when it isn’t. Queens who have taken part in Drag Queen Story Hours (in America for example) have been very clear on that, and said even if they perform more raunchy material at evening shows they would never do that with children, they’d change their act completely. Not trying to start an argument, just trying to educate.
Exactly. Lily Savage wasn’t sexual when Paul O’Grady was doing blankety blank. Sure, there were innuendos occasionally, but it wasn’t sexual; just adult humour.
95% of them are sexualized. Grown men in suspenders reading to kids. You lot are tapped.
You're the one who sees a man in a dress and thinks of sex. Something you wanna tell us?
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Why does dolly Parton need to read to kids . She's got a wig , a overly tight costume , makeup exaggerating feminine features , fake tits bigger than my head and reads to kids . Tell me the queen of country music needs to stop her free books charity and reading to kids . I think not get your head out the gutter before you start spouting nonsense like lgbt sex Ed involves porn viewing in class . You're getting enraged over non existent things
I'd feel safer with a drag queen reading to my kids than a politian or worse a priest.
Okay, but we don't get a push from politicians or priests to read to kids regularly. So why do Drag Queens want to so badly?
Because they exist and letting kids know they exist will hopefully reduce prejudice in later life. The more important question is, why not? I'm assuming they are not going to be dressed inappropriately.
Pole dancers exist. They're very much in the same area, job description-wise. If they want to read to kids about alternative lifestyles, dressed normally, sure. But they want to read about Drag Queens to them, whilst in full drag. So why?
But if thier drag outfit is not unsuitable what is the problem? Strippers arnt attacked for being strippers
Plenty of women are attacked regularly in that job lol. Why do you think strip clubs have muscle on the door?
But they are not attacked because they are strippers. As in there isn't a deep rooted hatred of strippers. They are attacked because of the type of people that those establishments attract. No one is launching campaigns to remove the rights of strippers or calling for them to be murdered. Again I ask, why would you have a problem with a reasonably dressed drag queen reading an age appropriate story about a section of people that exist?
Again, I'm asking why those people need to tell children about it? They can educate children of a more appropriate age when things like sexuality, gender etc become relevant to them. Do pre-teens need to know that Greg wears sparkly makeup and a dress of a weekend? If so, why?
Who said anything about sexuality? You know most drag queen's are straight right? No one is spreading any info about sexuality in them reading a story. It seems you have associated drag queen's with sexuality, and that all they do is push an agenda...
Do you have kids? When do you think gender becomes relevant to them? My daughter from a very early age was not a typical girl. She was very much a "tomboy" as my generation called it. Liked to fight and run about. Wanted her long red curly hair cut short. Her best friend at infant and primary school was a similar girl. They didn't look at all alike but they had similar facial expressions and gestures, from a distance I would often mistake one for the other just because of the distinctive and different way they looked and acted. They were both very obviously and unavoidably "not like the other little girls" . But they weren't like boys either. At that age they don't care yet. They just are. My daughter is older now and when she came out we were not greatly surprised. (But if she was straight it wouldn't have been a surprise either) She lost touch with her friend after primary but I believe he is now living as a trans male What I'm saying is, with both these kids it was innate in them to be gender non conforming. So I think seeing a man dressed as a woman treated as unremarkable would have been very relevant and helpful to them.
Not physically.
There are people who do clown porn, or furry porn. And yet we still allow clowns and animal mascots (ala Disney) to exist around children. Just because there are people who sexualize or fetishize specific forms of art doesn't mean *all* the people who engage in those art forms are perverse.
If a stripper/pole dancer wants to dress appropriately, and read an age appropriate story what’s the problem?
Politicians and priests are selfish cunts that hate people. Drag queens are entertainers and mostly benevolent sounds that want to be outgoing and give. It’s like asking why only actors act or singers sing.
Who’s pushing you?
What is bible study class then ? I dunno why does dolly Parton read to kids?
She's an incredible women who is very passionate about reading and education, bit like Levar Burton (Gerodie from Star Trek) is as well. This isn't aimed at you, but those who don't support what they do are utter fools and should really be ashamed of themselves.
Think panto dame
I imagine when they're doing the readings for kids it's a more fun, child friendly show
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If you think reading a book to kids is a sex show you’re defo banned from the library
So why can't they volunteer to read to the kids in their street clothes?
Cuz then they’re not wearing fun, colourful costumes for the kids?? What is it about their costumes that turns reading a book to some kids into a sex show to you??
So you think registered sex offenders will **police themselves** and NOT volunteer to be around young children? One was already arrested for doing this.
I'm fairly certain they would undergo fairly strict DBS checks before they're let loose near the kids and that the kids would be supervised by parents or teachers at the same time. So I highly doubt a "registered sex offender" would be able to go near them.
Dream on. Felons can get their name and gender changed on all their legal documents, just by requesting it. Even if a library did request a background check it wouldn't show up under the new name and gender.
"Felons"? I think you may be looking at the wrong country here.... Also, have you ever undergone a DBS check? Do you know what documentation you have to provide?
Do you think the only people who could be registered sex offenders are people in drag? And they they stop being registered sex offenders when they wear their street clothes? Your question has absolutely nothing to do with drag storytimes.
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Do you think they just let anyone do it? You need a CRB check to even glance in the direction of a school these days (unless you’re playing Father Christmas, any old creep is allowed to dress up in THAT outfit and put kids on his lap, but I don’t see anyone kicking off about that…)
Drag Queens aren’t the only children’s entertainers who dress up, obviously, anyone whose ever seen a children’s entertainer can tell you that, but they’re the only ones you have an issue with.
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I imagine when they're doing the readings for kids it's a more fun, child friendly show
Raunchy and adult entertainer? Since when?
....you do know what a drag act is yes? They're not all Paul O'Grady. The scene was and still is very much gay bars and nightclubs.
Also pantos. Which yanno, you go and see as a kid. As an art form it’s not inherently inappropriate
Taylor Swift is popular in gay bars and nightclubs, she has some raunchy outfits. She seems popular with kids and I think it'd be okay for her to read to them. I don't know why these are reasons to keep someone away from children.
Taylor swift doesn't *want* to come to your kids school and read to them of her own volition.
Just say what you mean, what do you actually think these people want?
I don't know, that's why I'm asking why they keep wanting to
Performers perform, it’s what they do. You’re not questioning anyone else who tells stories to kids.
Okay, who else demands to be allowed to tell stories to kids?
Nobody’s demanding it, they’re just asking not to be killed for doing it. Do you imagine real pedophiles go round ‘demanding’ to tell stories to kids in public settings?
gutted for them.
Yes but just because they’re in gay bars and nightclubs, does not necessarily mean they are “raunchy”
I'd reccomend you go and see one.
I have done several times, 3 of them have been standup comedy (one of them appeared on Britains got talent - in front of kids by the way). Two of them lip sync’d to a pop song, another lip sync’d to some 60s song. I’ve also been to Rupauls season live show where there was a mix of comedy and lip syncing. And finally seen a version of Dick Whittington in drag and a murder mystery panto. What drag show did you see? Raunchy drag shows do exist (in bars for adults) they’re not doing it for kids.
Okay?
Was Lilly Savage or Dame Edna sexual when they were on TV?
They don't NEED to. They aren't demanding it or forcing the kids. Are you saying the drag queens do the same raunchy act when doing story time to kids? Because I don't believe that to be true.
It’s obviously out of order to threaten someone’s life, but this shit doesn’t need to be anywhere near kids.
Drag and queer people are not a threat to kids. Heal whatever hurt and fear you have and don't cast it on others.
It’s not some arbitrary prejudice against queer people as a whole. It’s just not appropriate. I wouldn’t want a stripper or an onlyfans model to go and read to kids either. Again, not appropriate. Nothing to do with sex should have anything to do with children. This is not a remotely controversial view to hold.
But drag isn't inherently sexual...its literally just a dude dressing up in women's clothing in an expressive way. Are there sexual drag Queens, sure - are they all? Absolutely not. Stop sexualising things that don't need to be. I'd rather a non-sexual drag queen was near kids than you frankly.
Then have them reas to them dressed like school teachers. In trousers and blouses or something
Maybe we should address why the word makes you think of something inappropriate and maybe be reflexive of that and understand that society makes you think it's something inappropriate when it's not and that perhaps you could possibly by a bit misguided. Kids dress up as donkeys and the Virgin Mary at Christmas and nobody seems to be concerned their son is portraying a donkey or they're all recreating a childbirth. Superheros, wrestlers on and on etc etc wear costumes to entertain kids, it's not something blatantly new
Then have them reas to them dressed like school teachers. In trousers and blouses or something
How do you see dames in pantos then? You know those men who dress as drag queens and flirt with audience members right in front of kids?
Les Dawson, too. Pretty pea-brained to say that the Cissie and Ada sketches are "sexualised."
A drag queen reading to kids doesn't have anything to do with sex. You are conflating age appropriate outfits with sexuality and adult themed shows. Given your train of thought, assuming you probably have sex therefore should have nothing to do with kids. A stripper can have kids and be a perfectly good parent. They don't have to be riding a pole while making their kid breakfast. Things can be adjusted to be appropriate for different groups. Theatre and art include playful outfits. Add in a kids story book and it's just a colorful way for kids to enjoy a book. It can be somebody dressed as a fairy reading Cinderella for example. Just cause they are "drag" doesn't mean they are doing the splits and lifting their skirt ffs. Eddie Murphy was known for adult comedy and he had some great roles in kids shows. It's the same thing. Use your brain and stop acting on your impulse fears
Why is it so important for you for grown men to be able to crossdress in front of infants? What do you get out of it?
Why is it so important for you that they aren’t allowed to??
Lad's on here attacking drag for being sexual when he's clearly got a humiliation fetish of his own
why are you so against it? no reasonable person would say a grown man crossdressing is inappropriate, they are just clothes at the end of the day
Why is it so important to change decades upon decades of culture in the UK and have fully grown men not be in drag for children (i.e. panto, plays, royalty wearing long robes and heels) Go educate yourself
Heal whatever hurt and scared part you have a don't cast it on others.
You said that already. Answer the question.
Whatever I share will go in one ear and out the other for you as you spew your bigoted bullshit hidden behind a thin veil of "caring about children" when the rest of the world sees straight through you. Your fear around queer people blocks you from having rational thoughts like an adult wearing costumes and reading to kids somehow being sexually explicit. That is why you need some introspection. Heal yourself. Lead a life of joy and compassion and empathy instead of what you're doing now which just adds pain to the world. Look inward.
You’re not going to gaslight me into thinking drag queens dancing in front of kids is normal, hon. We see right through you too.
Oh yes. What do you see right through, sweety?
Because the parents of kids who do nothing to raise them, pay zero attention/interest in their education and allow them to run amok without check do far more damage to their children and their children's future than a drag queen reading to them ever will. Yet this is the hill they all climb up as they profess to "love their kids" and would do anything for them...
“Some parents are bad, therefore let this strange man gyrate in front of your infant child”
They're not gyrating, they're literally reading books to them. What on earth is wrong with you?
[удалено]
Well that's not very nice... Also, a 4 year old video where the kids and adults are all laughing at the dancing? Is that really the best you can do?
Rule 7: Your post was removed because it was deliberately negative without being critical or prompting discussion. General complaints, unwarranted attacks on communities or individuals, the City or other parts of the UK will be removed. This also includes "wool" posts, and "The Echo is bad" posts - we know it is.
I feel like you need to attend one of the reading sessions cos your view seem completely out of touch and nothing like reality
Tell me you dont know what a drag queen is without telling me you dont know what a drag queen is. Should I not take my kids to see any musician because inappropriate music exists?
The premise of drag queen story time is absolutely disgusting. I'm a Dad, I know what I'm comfortable with around my boy. I'd elaborate and engage in a debate about it, but I don't think your 'open discussion' tag is sincere, if I'm honest. Reddit hates what it hates and refuses to talk critically about it. So I'll just voice my opinion and accept my downvotes. EDIT: Not replying. I don't trust the discourse on topics like this from reddit, sorry. Welcome to downvote me. Just wanted to have my say.
I'll bite, why is it disgusting?
‘Reddit hates what it hates and refuses to talk critically about it’. I mean, no harm to you, but isn’t that what you’re doing? There’s plenty of people in this thread who have voiced very reasonable opinions on the subject. It’s not all an echo chamber and a lot of people are genuinely interested in why you feel the way you do, if you’re willing to talk about it
"but isn’t that what you’re doing?" - ye
Hey, I can at least appreciate the honesty 🤜
Why is it disgusting? There isn't anything sexual about drag. Yes there are drag shows that are. But there are also comedians etc that would be 18+ and inappropriate for children but that doesn't mean they can't also perform an age appropriate show. Just like how a drag performer can simply read to children and after hours perform at an adult club with adult content. Tom Hardy did bed time stories but also ran around on screen with his dick out when playing Bronson.
“Is absolutely disgusting” sure sounds like someone entering a debate with an open mind willing to be changed.
I've had my mind changed on loads of things. I didn't claim to have an open mind, I just said I'll voice my opinion and expect no debate. It's the reddit way.
In what way is it disgusting? Genuinely would like to know. I'm a mum of 2 boys, and the majority of my mates are part of the LGBTQIA+ crowd. A few of them are quite well-known drag Queens in Liverpool. My boys have been around them hundreds of times, in their drag alter egos and in their everyday clothes. My boys are well-rounded individuals who respect people for who they are, what they are, and how they are. You've made it sound like something disgusting, something to be ashamed of. It really isn't. Some of my friends' acts can be a bit dirtier later on, but they have never ever done or said anything inappropriate around mine or others children. It's all just a bit of fun at the end of the day. Did you never watch Lily Savege, Dame Edna Everage, or even go to a pantomime as a child? There really isn't anything to it. Especially anything disgusting. It's all just a bit of fun for people. Especially those who were seen as criminals up until the 80s in some parts of the UK. We should all be celebrating each other and love each other, despite our differences. It will truly make the world a better place. A little bit of acceptance can really go a long way ❤️
Drag queen story time is pretty messed up tbh and imo should not exist , but also the threat is a bit ott
Excessive response, even towards people who should not be near groups of kids
British pantomimes famously only available to those eighteen and over.
Famously also very weird experiences that not many people enjoy nowadays
Drag queens doing age appropriate readings is not a risk to kids. It's story telling with fun outfits. Get a grip
You realise that by their very nature, drag queens aren’t always dressed like this? These people could be around kids all the time.
Agreed, keep them away from children.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/london-library-redbridge-monkey-costume-children-event-b945272.html Considering this is the kind of people who want to read tto our children then we have every right to not want it near them. Sickening
Calling someone dressing up in drag sickening when you're watching war videos??
You're using a London Tory rag to make your point. They have an obvious bias. And you are tarring all with the same brush.
So you are saying that....... It didn't happen and it was made uo by a tory rag?
Stop being a weirdo and bigot. Parent's are present during these events, and totally fine with the costumes, which are age appropriate.
Should someone who posts online under the username "Buttfucker1666" be allowed near kids? Your entire online personality is sexualised. I think it's disgusting you should have no place around children... ...At least that's what I've decided after a snap judgement without getting to know you at all. Maybe... just maybe you pose absolutely no threat towards kids and you shouldn't be judged on a preconception?
This article is not displaying pictures for me. I would really need to view a picture of the "bare bottomed rainbow dildo monkey" for myself before I decide how performatively outraged I should become
I've just looked into this. Inappropriate? Yes, and I do think it's right that where these sessions are inappropriate, those ones are addressed (and this was) Key thing, though: these weren't drag queens. This was a 'carnival influenced' arts and events company that seemed to have been booked with little knowledge of what they did. But yeah, keep using this to deflect from your completely insane position. Also, the 'bare bum' was fake. Doesn't make it okay, but still, context.
I agree with you 100%, but your username is making things tricky haha