How You Should Handle Your Library's DQSH

Your library announced a Drag Queen Story Hour. Now what?

The scene: Your town has just announced that Drag Queen Story Hour is coming to the library or park near you. What should you do and how should you handle it?

In our book Stolen Youth, Karol and I made the argument that when this toxic ideology comes for kids, you can do nothing but fight. That’s the last word in the book, in fact. Fight. So what does it look like to fight a reading for children by provocatively dressed men?

We’ve asked a few experts to weigh in. Librarians, community leaders… And here are their recommendations:

As soon as the event is announced, take a proactive stand and try to have the event canceled. Here is your action plan:

• Call the local library board members

• Ask to see the library's programming policy(ies); often, you can find them on the library's website. If there's anything in there about qualifications for doing a story time, which a lot of libraries cite as a reason not to have just anyone come in and do a story time, ask about the qualifications of the prospective presenter. If the library has a policy like this, ask why they're not following it.

• Write a letter to the library board and publish the letter in local newspapers and social media.

• Call and write to your local faith leaders

• Ask faith leaders to speak with board members who have membership in their institution.

• Express disappointment and concern on Social media

• Write an open letter from community members and send it to the library board and publish it in news outlets and on social media

If you’re looking for talking points, emphasize that Drag Queens are adult entertainment. Is the library going to bring in burlesque and striptease shows for kids too? Gays Against Groomers has some good talking points on this subject.

The best defense is an actual library policy outlining how programs are developed and the parameters for guest presenters. Prevention is better than a cure when it comes to controversy.

The public can, and should, challenge library content they deem inappropriate by learning their library's policies related state laws, and municipal codes, following the protocols for challenging content and speaking at public meetings of the entities governing their libraries in a calm, civil, and professional manner. Vilifying individuals, or letting emotions dictate behavior obliterates both the message and your credibility.

If you were unable to prevent the event from taking place, here are some suggested actions you can take in person:

• Don’t make a spectacle. Librarians seem to love the spectacle—it just gives fuel to their fire. It makes others around the country want to do their own. Don’t create something that librarians can commiserate and complain about online. Don’t create an event that the news media wants to blast everywhere.

• Go to the library before, during, and after the event (without your kids!). Be very nice. These are people who God loves. Harshness or judgment will get you nowhere at this point. Have a prayer circle. Read your Bible and pray for the people in the library. If someone talks to you, smile. Ask if you can pray for them. This includes the drag queens!

• Be close enough to the action to be seen, to be approachable. But don't be so close so that they can count you as an attendee and boost their attendance stats!