It’s drag queen story time for kids... at the British Library
WITH her plunging cleavage, huge hair and figure- hugging outfits, Alyssa Van Delle is hardly the typical demure female librarian.
Nor is she actually female: Van Delle is a drag queen who will be appearing at the British Library at a story-time event for children.
The controversial sessions will be part of a family day being held at the Library during this month’s halfterm holiday week, featuring the ‘hot’ performer who promises to leave audiences ‘gagging for more’.
The publicly funded institution – whose boss is ex-BBC executive Roly Keating – has organised several ‘Drag Queen Story Time’ sessions over the half term with a group which says it is committed to offering children ‘queer role models’.
It has been met with fierce criticism from parents, who argue that it is inappropriate to expose impressionable primary-age children to drag acts. But the Library has hit back by saying that the sessions encourage children to learn tolerance and inclusiveness – and implying that the critics are guilty of ‘discrimination’.
The group that runs the sessions, Drag Queen Story Time, says the events are aimed at ‘giving children glamorous, positive and unabashedly queer role models’.
According to its website, Van Delle is a Bristol- based performer who also hosts evening shows for adults titled ‘ Disgraceful Behaviour’. It says: ‘Bringing her Sicilian charm to this iconic British venue, Alyssa is a delight for all ages. Having worked across all areas with Drag Queen Story Time, she’s one of our most experienced queens. From children’s nursery rhymes, to stories and games, she’ll have you on the edge of your seat and gagging for more!’
One parent, who disagrees with the idea of the sessions, has complained to the British in an email which says: ‘Please can you tell me how you have come to the conclusion that an adult man dressed in hypersexualised female clothing is appropriate entertainment for children? “Drag” as entertainment is based on adult sexual innuendo and is not appropriate for children.’
Another complainant said: ‘Sexism and grooming of children has no place in libraries.’
However, the Library has defended the sessions, saying it was ‘delighted’ to have drag queens at its family day. It said: ‘The British Library is open to everyone and stands with those who oppose discrimination in all forms.’