Diversity and patriotism are not the same thing. We are not a diverse town, but that's okay because diversity takes work and it takes time. The people in favor of the Drag Queen Story Hour are willing to put in that work and take the time to make this town into a place that can be just as proud of its diversity and inclusion efforts as its patriotism.

The story hour is not a way to use children as “pawns to promote a particular agenda,” unless that agenda is one of acceptance and an encouragement of “golden rule” treatment to all people. This event only became politically charged when adults took to social media and various other outlets to make it such. In fact, this event has had many success stories throughout the country and world, as close as neighboring Fall River, Mass., and Middletown, R.I.

Those in town and beyond who support this event do not “lack common sense,” but instead look forward to a future filled with acceptance. A future where marginalized communities do not have to wait “to be seen as normal” and the same prejudices of the past are not repeated. We are abandoning “traditional values” that once emphasized racism, homophobia, sexism and more in order to create a better future for our children and beyond. The LGBTQIA+ community are people. They, like every other marginalized community, have waited long enough for this town to accept them. Bristol is ready to open our hearts to them starting with a Drag Queen Story Hour in honor of pride month.

This is not a matter of tolerance. As a town with six churches, I am sure that the majority of children here interact daily with those who believe in the Bible. I would welcome leaders of those houses of worship to read children a fun-filled, non-denominational story at the library, as I am sure others would, too. As for inviting a conversion therapist or expert in the subject into the library to read and interact with children, a quick review of the Human Rights Campaigns website would explain the various harms that it would cause the children, as well as providing links to certified peer-reviewed research on the harms. Considering many states, including our own, have outlawed conversion therapy as a “cruel practice,” I do feel that the harms go without saying.

Tolerance, as defined by Merriam-Webster, implies the “continued capacity to endure” something. You don’t endure those different than you, you simply accept them because they exist and they are not going anywhere.

Drag Queens are dressing up and having fun, as we encourage children to do when they play and utilize their imaginations. Just as people can choose to not support businesses that don’t advocate for diversity and inclusion, anyone in opposition of the Drag Queen Story Hour can simply choose to not attend the event.

Sarah Teixeira
Bristol