Thanks for this Emily. A beautiful post. Oddly (maybe not so odd) in spite of the sad content it actually made me feel happy and loving. And I laughed about the pineapple on a pizza and the general activities of children during story time - I remember all of these. You managed to paint a beautiful portrait of what kindness and goodness is available in society if we just open our eyes and hearts.
Thanks Emily, brilliant summary of the pros of such events. I've bought an "in spirit" ticket.
During the last election I went to a campaign meeting where a New Conservatives candidate was very exercised about the "sexualisation of young children". He said it many times, lisping out the "sex" bit and licking his lips each time. It was disturbing to say the least seeing their fixation on an non-existant problem. Even worse when I found they are a teacher.
While some opponents to such innocent activities like Drag Readings are simply easily led or subject to low information, it worries me they also include those with very mixed up ideas on sex, gender and social order. It's those people who feel dangerous to me.
Finally - a friend who is a librarian tells me they are getting all sorts of flack even if they've never hosted such an event! Libraries are apparently bad places. They have books, books have ideas, children visit libraries, they might get ideas. Where will it end?
I really feel for the librarians. It’s terrifying - like a witch hunt. As they say - every accusation is a confession and we know so many fundamentalist churches hide abusers.
Your post arrived just as I sent this reply to a friend who pointed out that people were confused, and worried about sexual abuse and the sexualisation of children, where did drag fit into this.
My post: Xxxxxxxxx however when you look at what actually happens, it’s just as someone else commented, like a pantomime dame. I also can’t understand the term sexualise our children. I understand if the Queens were using sexualised content, and therefore sexual material was being used, but what library in the country would allow that? Children are sexualised when they are made to wear certain clothes, and look like sexual objects. Children being used as sexualised objects is billions of miles away from what happens at one of these shows. No one I know who has actually taken a child to a show has been horrified so where does the fear and worry come from? I find it very alarming that people actually for one moment think these shows are about sex. They are about one of the best things about childhood, dressing up, and one of the most important aspects of growing up, accepting that we are all different. There hasn’t been any noted sexual abuse here in Aotearoa from Drag Queens so how does that figure in this? The sector mostly spreading the fear, is a sector where most abuse happens, the church. You have to ask then, if the misleading fear is a diversion tactic.
That is a wonderful piece of writing Emily. Thanks for being brave and kind and loving, and even though these people can freak us out - you are right - we have to stand up to them as a collective.
We had a fabulous Rainbow Reading session in Masterton last year. To keep us all safe, the front door was locked. People still managed to complain that that act itself was suspicious and against their rights. This was after the library’s normal hours. FFS. X
I always told my kids be who you are and the world is full of different people and different societies and different beliefs and accept people for their differences and I still believe that.
Nga mihi nui Emily. Be there in Spirit purchased and article shared. This is horrifying to me - reading to children in costume is an amazing thing and there is no agenda!
Thanks so much for this post - so well written and so important. And a good articulation of why spreading hatred and lies is part of the modus operandi for a scammer organisation like Destiny's Church - I hadn't drawn the link between their actions and an abusive relationship.
I also laughed out loud at the "pineapple on pizza" comment!
I was reflecting on this last night, and as someone else pointed out below, I can't see any difference between these readings and the joy of pantomime (in fact, panto also usually includes a decent dose of innuendo that goes straight over the heads of the kids in the audience...)
Sadly, it looks like the event you linked to has been cancelled by the library, so I have bought two in spirit tickets instead.
Thanks for this Emily. A beautiful post. Oddly (maybe not so odd) in spite of the sad content it actually made me feel happy and loving. And I laughed about the pineapple on a pizza and the general activities of children during story time - I remember all of these. You managed to paint a beautiful portrait of what kindness and goodness is available in society if we just open our eyes and hearts.
❤️❤️❤️❤️I’m so glad
Thanks Emily, brilliant summary of the pros of such events. I've bought an "in spirit" ticket.
During the last election I went to a campaign meeting where a New Conservatives candidate was very exercised about the "sexualisation of young children". He said it many times, lisping out the "sex" bit and licking his lips each time. It was disturbing to say the least seeing their fixation on an non-existant problem. Even worse when I found they are a teacher.
While some opponents to such innocent activities like Drag Readings are simply easily led or subject to low information, it worries me they also include those with very mixed up ideas on sex, gender and social order. It's those people who feel dangerous to me.
Finally - a friend who is a librarian tells me they are getting all sorts of flack even if they've never hosted such an event! Libraries are apparently bad places. They have books, books have ideas, children visit libraries, they might get ideas. Where will it end?
I really feel for the librarians. It’s terrifying - like a witch hunt. As they say - every accusation is a confession and we know so many fundamentalist churches hide abusers.
Thank you Emily, I'm glad you wrote that and very well said.
Thank you so much Nick! It’s really bleak stuff.
Your post arrived just as I sent this reply to a friend who pointed out that people were confused, and worried about sexual abuse and the sexualisation of children, where did drag fit into this.
My post: Xxxxxxxxx however when you look at what actually happens, it’s just as someone else commented, like a pantomime dame. I also can’t understand the term sexualise our children. I understand if the Queens were using sexualised content, and therefore sexual material was being used, but what library in the country would allow that? Children are sexualised when they are made to wear certain clothes, and look like sexual objects. Children being used as sexualised objects is billions of miles away from what happens at one of these shows. No one I know who has actually taken a child to a show has been horrified so where does the fear and worry come from? I find it very alarming that people actually for one moment think these shows are about sex. They are about one of the best things about childhood, dressing up, and one of the most important aspects of growing up, accepting that we are all different. There hasn’t been any noted sexual abuse here in Aotearoa from Drag Queens so how does that figure in this? The sector mostly spreading the fear, is a sector where most abuse happens, the church. You have to ask then, if the misleading fear is a diversion tactic.
This is brilliantly written!
That is a wonderful piece of writing Emily. Thanks for being brave and kind and loving, and even though these people can freak us out - you are right - we have to stand up to them as a collective.
We had a fabulous Rainbow Reading session in Masterton last year. To keep us all safe, the front door was locked. People still managed to complain that that act itself was suspicious and against their rights. This was after the library’s normal hours. FFS. X
I always told my kids be who you are and the world is full of different people and different societies and different beliefs and accept people for their differences and I still believe that.
Then people have to go spoil it 😕
Tickets purchased. Ngā mihi nui for your kōrero.
Anyone know how we find out about drag events for kids in auckland? I know my kids would love it but I'm not really plugged in, obviously.
Nga mihi nui Emily. Be there in Spirit purchased and article shared. This is horrifying to me - reading to children in costume is an amazing thing and there is no agenda!
Yes ! Thank you for the action options, I love having them! And have acted. Don’t get us riled up unless we can channel it into change, I say
Kia ora Emily,
Thanks so much for this post - so well written and so important. And a good articulation of why spreading hatred and lies is part of the modus operandi for a scammer organisation like Destiny's Church - I hadn't drawn the link between their actions and an abusive relationship.
I also laughed out loud at the "pineapple on pizza" comment!
I was reflecting on this last night, and as someone else pointed out below, I can't see any difference between these readings and the joy of pantomime (in fact, panto also usually includes a decent dose of innuendo that goes straight over the heads of the kids in the audience...)
Sadly, it looks like the event you linked to has been cancelled by the library, so I have bought two in spirit tickets instead.
💞