Drag queen Tara Hoot is performing at her monthly Family Fun Storytime Brunch at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant in Crystal City, Virginia. Photo Courtesy of Robin D. Fader
By Myla S. Roundy
WASHINGTON—In the United States there are currently 575 anti-LGBTQ bills being tracked by the American Civil Liberties Union.
In today’s political climate, the LGBTQ+ community has been at the forefront of many conversations pertaining to human and civil rights. One debate that commonly comes up is whether drag performance is appropriate for children and young audiences.
Katie Macyshyn, a performance artist who uses the stage name Katie Magician, acknowledges that drag is diverse. There are performers who only perform in bars for crowds over 21, but there are also performers who cater to youth.
“Some kid-friendly venues may be all-age brunches or other child-specific programming. Through the DMV Drag Storytime chapter, I’ve performed at festivals and birthday parties,” they said. “The Drag Storytime events are like any other story time. They feature books that have messages about inclusivity, self-love, and working through challenges, which is so important right now as rates of anxiety and depression in youth are climbing.”
Many of the bills that have been introduced are built on the idea that drag is purely adult entertainment and therefore inappropriate for minors.
Howard University student Jonora Calixte disagrees.
“The argument is unfounded in the sense of everything can be inappropriate for children,” she said.
Calixte explains that all forms of entertainment and media can be inappropriate because not everything is made with children in mind.
Children are not always the target audience, but they can be, which is the bit that is getting lost in conversations like these.
“There is so much diversity in drag performances,” said Tara Hoot, a local DMV drag queen.
She emphasizes that there are many ways in which drag performers can connect with their audiences so it “can be appropriate for any age.”
This past summer, the Folger Shakespeare Library in Southeast D.C. held a family-friendly event entitled ‘Queer Culture Night’ which featured drag performers and queer artists.
Katie Harroff, the library’s director of engagement, discussed the importance of having free and accessible events for diverse audiences, even when met with some initial pushback.
“I have faith that anyone who could be doubtful will not be able to argue with the outcome,” said Harroff. “The benefits of the outcome outweigh, and in my perspective, have continually negated naysayers and has shown that the purpose of holding space for community is more important than any ego.”
Ultimately, drag can be inappropriate for kids but it also can be appropriate. Just like there are different movie ratings for what is deemed appropriate for children, there are different levels of drag artistry that cater to and are appropriate for different age ranges.
It is important to evaluate drag on a case-by-case basis because for some, drag is the only representation they have.
“Protect queer and trans kids,” said queer poet Juliana Cedeno. “As much as people can think that [drag] is hurting kids, it’s hurting queer kids more to see themselves defeated every single day.”
