Illinois library defends drag-themed celebration for teenagers: 'A celebration of self-identity'

A public library in Illinois is defending its final decision to hold a "drag queen bingo" function for neighborhood adolescents, boasting that it will be a "useful" and "affirming" encounter.

Downers Grove Public Library's "Drag Bingo" occasion, which is now sold-out, is established for October 11. The celebration, which coincides with Countrywide Coming Out Working day, will element a drag queen named Aurora Divine.

The event ideas to feature quite a few rounds of bingo and incorporate a "shorter, age-suitable lip sync" of "Firework" by Katy Perry. It can be geared toward teenagers in between the ages of 12 and 18.

Library director Julie Milavec issued a lengthy 4-webpage statement defending the library's selection to worried mothers and fathers. 

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Downers Grove General public Library is keeping a drag-themed bingo celebration for teenagers.  (Google Maps)

According to Milavec, the library been given "an abundance of positive feedback," but she acknowledged that some mothers and fathers felt the occasion was inappropriate.

"[A concern] regularly voiced to us is that we are purposefully introducing sexual written content to children. This is also fully untrue," Milavec wrote in the letter. "This general performance will not be sexual in nature."

"We recognize that this matter will be controversial to some, on the other hand we should identify that not like them also triggers harm," the library's director extra.

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"Drag Queen Storytime" functions have developed in level of popularity in current many years, as witnessed here in Manchester, England in 2021. ( Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Pictures)

Milavec also stated the library wished to offered an opportunity for teens to see a drag exhibit without endangering them selves by likely into a bar. 

"We realized that delivering an possibility for teens to see a drag display with out acquiring to go into the town or to a bar would be beneficial," Milavec wrote. "We’re producing the practical experience obtainable although also making confident it is an age proper overall performance."

Milavec also affirmed that mother and father are at liberty to determine regardless of whether they want their youngsters to go to. While the occasion is full, the library has a waitlist offered for intrigued patrons.

Drag queen Just JP reads tales to youngsters during a Drag Tale Hour at Chelsea Public Library in Chelsea, MA on June 25, 2022. (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Photos)

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Drag-themed situations for young children are a controversial – but more and more well-liked – development. A drag-themed brunch for little ones in Texas attracted protests from mother and father as nicely as Antifa counter-protestors, who showed up masked and shown weapons.