Why drag queen story hours at B.C. libraries are drawing outrage — and ‘bubbles of love’

As protesters chanted outside the Coquitlam Public Library this past weekend, Chris Bolton was inside reading It’s Okay to be Different while wearing the pink wig and cartoonish makeup of his drag character, Conni Smudge.

All that was going through his mind was spreading joy to the children and parents who came to hear him read and sing along to Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

“What I do at a nightclub at 11 p.m. at night is different from (what) I do at 10 a.m.” when children are present, said Bolton, stressing that drag performers tailor their shows according to their audience.

Across North America, public libraries have become the sites of clashes between promoters of drag queen story hours and those who oppose them. Supporters say such events promote diversity and inclusion. Detractors say they’re inherently adult-oriented and prematurely acclimate children to adult sexual themes.

In November, a similar event at the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House was also met by protesters. One sign said: “Stop grooming the children.”