Skip to content
TheGaygency

Glossary

Drag Queen Story Hour

Drag Queen Story Hour is a children's literacy program, now often called Drag Story Hour, in which drag performers read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores.

Drag Queen Story Hour.
Jennifer Ricard / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Drag Queen Story Hour, now frequently called Drag Story Hour, is a children's event in which drag performers read picture books and lead activities for kids, usually ages 3 to 11, with the stated goals of promoting reading and diversity. It began in 2015 in San Francisco, created by writer and activist Michelle Tea with RADAR Productions, and the first events were organized by Julián Delgado Lopera and Virgie Tovar. The program grew into a network of chapters across the United States and abroad. It has drawn organized opposition from some conservative groups who object to the events, the performers, or the books read, which has made it a recurring flashpoint in wider political fights over LGBTQ+ visibility.

Need help applying this?