Inside Drag Queen Storytime, the Toronto library’s fiercest kids’ reading series

There are plenty of places in Toronto to catch a drag show. The public library is one of them. On the morning of December 30, the Jones branch hosted a New Year’s edition of Drag Queen Storytime. It’s RuPaul’s Drag Race meets Reading Rainbow, a family-friendly event where toddlers yell “Yaaaaasss” as queens read LGBT-themed picture books. The kids couldn’t take their eyes off of Erin B. and Lucy Flawless, two stunning Amazons in full face. We went to the packed event to speak with kids, parents and the queens themselves about the importance of drag.

Erin B.

How long have you been doing drag? A year and a half professionally, but I feel like I’ve been doing drag my whole life.

What’s your day-to-day life like? I work nine to five at York University, go home and shave, and then it’s a late night performance.

Why are drag queens important for our community? Drag queens are in on the joke of life. We understand that it’s not that serious, and you know what? We’re here to make others realize that, too. We’re able to subvert anything. A lot of my comedy in drag comes from a dark place, but I find the light in the darkness.

Lucy Flawless

Is this an earlier event than you’re used to? Yes, it’s definitely early. I did a show last night and worked until midnight. I came home, got out of drag, then woke up and got back into drag. I thought about falling asleep in my makeup but decided against it.

What are drag queens important for our community? Kids need role models who express their gender in a different way. That’s something that I never had. Today, there were boys running up to me, saying, “I like to dress up as a fairy princess.” I love seeing the incredibly accepting parents that are giving their kids this experience.

Michelle and Simone

Michelle: “We came because the queens are beautiful. They show my daughter the diversity of Toronto. When we walked in, Simone said, ‘I think that’s a boy dressed up in girl’s clothes,’ and I said, ‘That’s because girl’s clothes are beautiful and everyone wants to feel beautiful, right?’"

Eric, Alex and Sasha

Sasha: “We want to show Alex that she can be anyone she wants to be and that there are no boundaries for her.”

Janelle, Axel Sloan and Cris

Janelle: “This event celebrates diversity, inclusivity and tolerance—that everyone has the right to make their own choices to do what makes them happy. That you shouldn’t judge people for being different.”

Finn and Dee

Dee: “Finn has two moms and this event lets him know about his community. He learns that other people out there are different as well.”

Janice and Grey

Janice: “It’s our first time at an event like this. We came for a great story and to connect with our community. It shows the diversity of Toronto.”

Martin and Leila

Martin: “Drag queens show that there’s no ‘right’ way to be, and that we can all be ourselves. That’s what all the books are about too.”

Elliott, Christine and Olive

Elliott: “Olive’s got two moms. Her new best friend has two dads. There are all sorts of folks we need to meet and learn about.”

Sandeep and Sonam

Sandeep: “It’s important to show my kids that no one is the same, that everyone is different, that we’re all diverse and no one is better than anyone else. As long as we have good hearts and good intentions, we should accept everyone in Toronto. Sonam comes from diverse backgrounds, and she can experience other people’s backgrounds, too. It’s about not creating a sheltered, homogenous enclave.”

Yashana, Sienna and Sage

Sage: “Drag queens show who they really are, and not everyone does that. And we love the makeup, too.”

Ian and Henley

Ian: “This event teaches kids that they should treat everyone equally. At a young age, it’s important to instill values into him. Mostly what he’s taking away from this is that it was a fun time.”

Sarah and Gavi

Sarah: “It teaches kids how to experience differences in a way that’s loving, accepting and kind. Gavi’s uncle wears makeup, and Gavi can see other people wearing makeup, too.”