Newmarket library hosts its first drag queen story time June 3 for children and families

Age-appropriate stories will address issues such as gender identity and same-sex parents

Yorkregion.com
May 31, 2023
Lisa Queen

For the first time, the Newmarket Public Library is hosting a drag queen story time, an event geared to children and families focusing on issues such as gender identity and same-sex parents.

“It’s about providing a comfortable way for parents and their kids, or caregivers and their kids to ask questions without feeling persecuted or that they’re going to be chastised for having these questions,” said E’Claire Devereaux, matriarch of haus of Devereaux, which presents drag queen story times.

“Drag queens from the beginning have been the keepers of knowledge, the fundraisers and the people to spread the story, going back historically. We just continue doing that through modern means.”

Drag is an art form that combines acting, dancing, lip syncing and, often, comedy. It takes hours of rehearsal, prep time and costume care, E’Claire said.

E’Claire appears at library story times, which have been presented across southern Ontario, as Mother Goose and a “daughter” of the Haus of Devereaux’s “blended family” arrives dressed as a character such as a princess.

Concerns that drag story times are a bad influence are misguided and the haus has earned a “stellar reputation” in the community, she said.

Last year, it raised more than $20,000 for charities across Ontario.

The haus always looks at who is attending a story time and chooses age-appropriate costumes. Performances are geared to audiences, so a library story time is different than a night club show, E’Claire said.

Library story times address a number of issues.

“We deal with the LGBTQ2S+ family. So, our books cover everything from two dads or two moms to being adopted into a mixed family,” said E’Claire, who has been working with York Pride since the inception of the haus seven years ago.

“Some of the books are about trans and identifying. Some kids, they do come out early. One of the youngest cases in York region, a seven-year-old person came out as trans a decade ago now ... They are now a young, beautiful woman attending their prom.”

Library CEO Tracy Munusami said story time is being held as part of June Pride Month celebrations, which include thousands of people attending Newmarket’s popular York Pride Festival and Parade June 16 and 17.

While drag story times can draw some controversy, the library feels they play an important role in supporting an inclusive community, as reflected in its updated strategic plan, she said.

“Drag queen story times or drag story times kind of initiate community discussion on gender, family, marginalized communities and it’s crucial for our communities to have the space to have these kind of dialogues,” she said.

“The library is a safe place, a safe space to ask these sorts of questions. People are able to engage in the conversations and foster connections, even if they have different opinions, beliefs, experiences and expressions.”

Drag story time will be held June 3, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the library at 438 Park Ave. It’s a drop-in event with crafts and opportunities to chat with E’Claire and “daughter” Athena. Storytimes are at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.