HUNTSVILLE, ON- The library in Huntsville will be hosting a pair of drag queens on Monday.
From 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., drag queens Fay Slift and Fluffy Soufflé will be reading to children at the library. The pair are based in Toronto, and have been doing storytimes since June of 2016.
According to the library’s event listing, the event focuses on books and songs to show the fun of reading.
The pair also want to support families with LGBTQ2S parent(s) and gender variant children by reading culturally diverse books, and providing a supportive and inclusive environment focused on fun.
Deborah Duce, the library’s chief executive officer, indicated the performance fits with the mission of the library. She said it’s meant to be an expression of fun, collaboration, exploration, creativity, diversity, and the support of all those things, as well as having a great time with the two performers.
“I think the great thing about this program, it says story time but it’s actually a program for everyone,’ said Duce.
“For kids, for adults, for teens, for anybody who just wants to celebrate all those things.”
Duce stated this was the first time the library in Huntsville had hosted a drag queen story hour. Asked about what she would say to anyone who disagreed with the event being held, she said the library was about individuality.
“It is about celebrating cultures, diversity, and equality, and those are all a part of our strategic plan,” said Duce.
“It’s about providing programs that meet the needs and interests of different people in the community, and if people are not 100 per cent enthusiastic about the program, we have all kinds of other programs, and we’re always open to meeting with people to talk about ideas they have for programs as well.”
She believed the event will be a great time. Tickets are free, and at the time of Duce’s interview on Monday there were only five or six left from the 85 available. Anyone who wishes to attend should call the library to check availability.
The event is not part of the Muskoka Pride activities starting later this week, but the organizers with Muskoka Pride support the event.