City to stage Scotland’s first Drag Queen Story Time
Two drag queens will entertain children with a series of LGBTQ stories at a Dundee library in the first event of its kind in Scotland.
Dawn Irvine, a Leisure and Culture Dundee library and information worker, said diversity is at the heart of the message libraries seek to spread.
She said: “We are really looking forward to our first Drag Queen Story Time and appreciate Niko and Amy (the two performers) giving up their time to put on this event.
“Our libraries are a place where everyone can feel welcome so it makes sense that we are a venue for the first Drag Queen Story Time in the city,
“This is an opportunity for parents and carers to open up themes of acceptance and understanding if they so wish but also have fantastic fun with songs, games and storytelling to enjoy.”
The Drag Queen Story Time reading list, on its Facebook page, includes Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story about Gender and Friendship, by Jessica Walton, And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Olive The Dog Who Was Really A Frog, by Simon Toby Browne and Mr Granny is a Pirate by Val Mcdermid.
Drag queen duo Kat A Clysfor mic and Hyperia will hold their first story time event in Dundee in a bid to promote inclusion and diversity among the city’s children.
Inspired by a San Francisco initiative of the same name, Drag Queen Story Time seeks to challenge stereotypes among young children through performance art and stories.
Similar events which have held across the UK in schools, libraries, and community centres have been largely well received by parents and teachers.
Campaign group Time for Inclusive Education (TIE), which aims to tackle prejudices around LGBT issues in Scotland’s schools, has called the project to be rolled out across all schools.
The group did, however, warn the shows must be age and stage-appropriate for pupils.
Drag queen Niko Cavanagh, who will be appearing as Kat A Clysmic, believes the shows can be important in tackling hate crime.
Niko said: “Drag Queen Story Time is something I have wanted to start in Dundee for quite some time now, I’m so happy to have the opportunity to do so.
“The main reason why I have wanted to start Drag Queen Story Time is because, to me, one of the most important things is to help people understand diversity.”