Drag queen story hours in Vancouver’s public libraries prompt public outcry

By Griffin Reilly (The Columbian)
Dec. 6, 2022 8:28 p.m.
A sign in front of a building says "Library" in big green letters.

The Vancouver Community Library in downtown Vancouver.

The Columbian / File photo

For over three years, the monthly Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board of Trustees’ meetings have spiraled out of control.

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Between February and December of 2019, the Vancouver Community Library held three drag queen story hours — events where performers dressed in drag read children’s storybooks featuring tales of inclusion and acceptance.

Proposed from within the community and widely attended, the event was an early piece of FVRLibraries’ dive into hosting events that highlighted diversity, equity and inclusion.

Soon after the events started being previewed on social media, however, an opposition group started forming: claiming without proof that the story hours were harmful to children and that they contributed to “gender confusion” — a concept that’s widely used to discriminate against and invalidate the LGBTQ community.

The Columbian is a news partner of OPB. Read their full story here.



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