Bristol Library “Caved to Bullies” By Canceling Drag Queen Story Hour, Says Advocate
Bristol Library “Caved to Bullies” By Canceling Drag Queen Story Hour, Says Advocate
“The damage has been done and we just can’t make it go away,” said Peterson, said of the library’s decision to cancel the event on June 15— whether or not they reverse the decision.
Peterson spoke to how she found out about the cancellation on the Rogers Free Library Facebook page on Thursday, with no communication as to why the decision was made.
"The only thing we could find was the library staff’s response in another article, about the Fall River Drag Queen [Story] Hour, stating that Bristol was maybe not ready for such an event, and maybe a community with more diversity would be more comfortable hosting such an event," said Peterson. "That language in and of itself was upsetting, and so damaging, and made it feel like we were really telling folks that Bristol doesn’t welcome all folks to our community - I got really fired up about it."
Peterson spoke to organizing a protest on Thursday night in front of the library.
"I think that children need to be exposed to a diverse range of individuals. They’re going to be exposed to diversity in their lifetime and if we don’t teach them that it’s bad they’re not going to see it that way. I think that we sent a really strong, wrong message to children that this is somehow wrong to be a drag queen, and that it’s OK to discriminate, in a really public sense, against people that you disagree with," said Peterson.
Peterson said to those people who are opposed to a drag queen story hour “should just not go.”
GoLocal repeatedly tried to reach library director Joan Prescott, board chair Betty Britto, and numerous board members for explanation.
As of 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the cancelation notice was still on the library’s Facebook page — which touts a “feminism and girl power” section in the library.
Bristol Democrats Statement on the Cancellation of Drag Queen Story Hour
The Bristol Democratic Town Committee released the following statement on Friday.
Rogers Free Library announced earlier this week that it had cancelled a scheduled “Drag Queen Story Hour”, stating that Bristol didn’t seem “ready” for such an event, and that it “may be something more diverse communities can appreciate”.
The Bristol Democratic Town Committee is extremely disheartened to see the exclusion and silencing of our LGBTQ+ neighbors, especially as we enter the month of June, which is Gay Pride Month. This type of discrimination runs in direct contrast to the library’s stated mission of inclusivity and community, and in opposition to our shared Democratic values. It also runs counter to our town’s deep patriotic commitment to our country and the rights of all people. Drag Queen Story Hour is an event that takes place at libraries across the country and has been under attack by homophobic groups and individuals since its inception -- that kind of bigotry has no place in this community.
Town Council Vice Chairman Timothy Sweeney said, “It is my understanding that this program teaches children to look beyond stereotypes and to celebrate the diversity of the world. We should celebrate diversity and not fall victim to bullying. We are better than this. Bristol is better than this. The library should reinstate the Drag Queen Story Hour.”
Sweeney’s husband and Chair of the Democratic Town Committee Erich Haslehurst added, “Drag is a form of self expression, artistic expression, as well as entertainment. How fun that drag queens wanted to bring the Drag Queen Story Hour to Bristol! I am sad that the community that has always accepted me as a gay man would allow the voices of the bigoted few to prevent this event from happening.”
Senator Walter Felag expressed his disappointment, stating, “I stand in support of our LGBTQ+ community members. My wife and I have attended many Pride parades over the years as well as events such as the Imperial Court Ball and the Gay Pride Talent Show earlier this year. Our friends who identify as LGBTQ+ contribute to the diverse tapestry of our towns, and should be recognized and welcomed in all of our public spaces”.
Bristol Town Councilor Aaron Ley added, “Libraries are meant to expand our minds in ways that allow us to discover the beauty and diversity of the world around us. They open new frontiers for discovery and serve as sanctuaries to people from all walks of life. That is why I am disappointed in not being able to attend this event after we decided as a family to attend it. The decision that was made to cancel this event does not accurately reflect the sentiment of our community or the mission statement of the library and so the event should move forward as scheduled.”
Senator Jim Seveney remarked, “Libraries must embrace diversity. They are centers of enlightenment, helping us to better understand and celebrate our differences. Bristol is already well along this path to inclusivity, and Rogers Free Library needs to keep pace with the community it serves.”
“Libraries are the main square in the marketplace of ideas, places where freedom of expression should be at its fullest. The cancellation of the Drag Queen Story Hour is a form of censorship that has no place in Bristol Rhode Island, or in the United States of America. Members of the community who are bothered by the event can exercise their freedom not to attend but have no business denying others their right to participate,” said State Representative June Speakman.
State Representative Susan Donovan expressed her dismay as well: “I am deeply disappointed and disturbed by this decision. We cannot allow the voices of prejudice to prevail. This is precisely the sort of event that is critical to fostering an attitude of acceptance of diversity. The library's decision does not accurately reflect the values of the majority of Bristol's residents. ”
The Bristol Democratic Town Committee joins with our elected officials and stands in full solidarity with members of the LGBTQ+ community, on the occasion of Gay Pride, and throughout the year.
We want to make it clear: all are welcome here