Funding for “Drag Story Hour” Proposed by New York Democrats
In New York, two Democrats running for a congressional seat are advocating for federal support for a program called “Drag Story Hour,” drawing criticism for potentially misusing taxpayer funds.
Current U.S. Representative Dan Goldman and former City Comptroller Brad Lander are reportedly backing the initiative. According to a recent report, Goldman remarked on a survey from a local LGBTQIA+ group that, while current funding restrictions exist, he looks forward to supporting such programs if he retains his seat.
“Unfortunately, the majority does not authorize funding from members of Congress to support LGBTQIA+ programming,” he stated. “But once we take back the House, I can’t wait to fund programs like Drug Story Hour and other programs.”
A spokesperson for Lander shared that if Democrats gain control, they aim to allocate funds for various programs, including Drug Story Hour alongside housing, healthcare, and the arts.
The financial commitment to Drug Story Hour is significant, with city and state taxpayers reportedly investing around $700,000 into the initiative managed by Drag Artists for Expression New York City, previously known as Drag Story Hour NYC.
The organization collaborates with numerous schools and libraries, featuring drag queens reading stories to children. For instance, they recently highlighted a video of a drag queen presenting a Spanish children’s book about a child’s gender identity journey.
Reports from 2022 revealed that New York City schools were using taxpayer money to fund drag performances for kids, often without parental consent.
Since its inception in 2018, Drag Story Hour NYC has received more than $200,000 in public funding. Over the years, such events have sparked controversy due to their themes and content, with some books introducing complex gender ideologies to young audiences.
Former Mayor Eric Adams faced backlash in 2022 for endorsing drag stories in schools, while State Attorney General Letitia James expressed intentions to host a Drag Story Hour for children in the upcoming year. Additionally, a recent drag show organized by a children’s advocacy group was canceled after community objections.
