The initial scheduling and then cancellation and then re-scheduling of the Drag Queen Story Hour have revealed a most unfortunate divide in the town of Bristol. It is extremely unfortunate, as it appears that our children are being used as pawns to promote a particular agenda.

To involve our children in a politically charged issue such as this demonstrates a total lack of prudence. Children have enough challenges to deal with without involving them in an issue fraught with high emotion and caustic terminology.

A good example of a lack of judgement is the comment of one supporter of this activity who noted that, “Drag is a form of self expression, artistic expression, as well as entertainment. How fun that drag queens wanted to bring the Drag Queen Story Hour to Bristol!” One could concede that this might be true, but not for young children.

This is not as many claim about inclusion, diversity, tolerance and bigotry, all terms that are bandied about with regular abandon as a mean of bullying or shutting down discourse. It is clear that Bristol is neither homophobic nor anti-inclusive, as some local officials are gay and by their own admission well accepted into the community. 

Some years ago, the gays/lesbians wanted to be seen as normal members of the community. It took some time and effort to get there. There was a time when a gay man or woman wanted to be known only as a good person, a good teacher, a good doctor — not a gay person, or a gay teacher or a gay doctor. Their sexual preference was not worn on their sleeve, because they were accepted as a member of the community.

This imbroglio and the agenda behind it unfortunately cast that approach in a very different light.

That many in Bristol see the impropriety of having a Drag Queen read to young children is in no way, as claimed, an act of bigotry or lack of tolerance. 

It would be interesting to see the reaction if the library would have an Evangelical minister read to our children, or an expert in “conversion therapy” address the little ones. I suspect that tolerance only goes so far. Perhaps these types of activities would not be appropriate in a public library. Perhaps Drag Queen Story Hour is not appropriate for young children in a public library.

Michael Byrnes
Bristol