The Moray Council in Scotland has recently been criticized for announcing a “Drag Queen Story Hour” that will take place over the weekend at the largest library in Elgin. The event, which is apparently geared toward children from 0-6 years of age, was organized by the Tory-led authority. Drag artist Miss Lossie Mouth is set to read to children on June 10, as the library celebrates Pride month, per Scottish Daily.
Though the event has been marketed as a “fun and interactive show suitable for children aged 0-6,” Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has condemned the event as “totally inappropriate.” Ross took to Twitter to express his discontent with the event, saying: “It’s totally inappropriate to hold a show like this for kids under the age of six. Story time for babies and young kids shouldn’t focus on gender or sexual identity. That is common sense and on behalf of constituents who’ve contacted me, I’ve raised this with the council.”
Ross received support from Tory education spokesman Stephen Kerr, who said: “ I strongly agree with @Douglas4Moray on this matter. My biggest question is Why: why of all the people you could invite to speak to children, why do this?”
The Scottish Feminist Network also chimed in, asking why it is that “no other aspect of #Pride2023/LGBTQ+ identity” is actively being promoted during this time, “apart from ability [sic] of men to dress up as poor representation of a woman?”
However, there were some who pushed back against Ross’ position on the matter. Jeremie Fernandes, of the Scottish National Party, said: “The replies under this tweet are absolutely disgusting. One of public libraries’ missions is to promote acceptance, tolerance and open-mindedness. Libraries are a welcoming environment for all. These comments show that we need #Pride more than ever.”
Former SNP council convener Shona Morrison also added: “Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. Well done to all those involved.” There were also more aggressive critics of Ross, with Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer reducing Ross to “a nasty little bigot,” adding that the Tory leader had never taken his “kids to the panto.”
Miss Lossie Mouth, whose real name is John Campbell, said: “As a teacher myself I appreciate the way to instil [sic] a love of reading from an early age is to make it fun. That’s exactly what Drag Queen story time does with an engaging hour of colourful, joyous stories. I can’t wait to read to Moray’s youngest residents and see them enjoying books like ‘And Tango Makes Three,’ ‘Zee Zee the Zebra,’ and ‘Unicorn NOT Wanted.’”
Drag Time Story Hour has appeared in several countries around the world, especially in the US. There has been a consistent backlash of these events, suggesting that minors should not be exposed to sexual identity at such a young age. There have also been inappropriate sexual displays at some of these drag events geared toward children.
