On March 19, New York Attorney General Letitia Jamesalong with a coalition of advocacy organizations and elected leadershosted a first-of-its-kind Drag Story Hour Read-A-Thon for families in New York City, per a press release from her office.
The event stood as a rebuke to anti-drag show developments in states such as Tennessee, which passed a measure banning the events. Elsewhere around the country, far-right organizations have protested the readings.
Almost 200 guests enjoyed four back-to-back Story Hours hosted by drag personalities of Drag Story Hour NYC at the LGBTQ Community Center in New York City's Greenwich Village. James was joined by local elected officials, including Assemblymembers Tony Simone and Grace Lee; New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine; and Council Members Erik Bottcher, Shekar Krishnan, and Crystal Hudson.
"The recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ protests, rhetoric, and policies has left New Yorkersmyself includeddevastated and disappointed. But I know better than anyone that when the choice is between love and hate, between joy and venom, New Yorkers will always choose love, and New Yorkers will always choose joy," James said. "I am proud to have been joined by my colleagues in advocacy and government today in celebration of the love, joy, and family fun that Drag Story Hour brings to our communities. Hate has no home in New York, and I will always fight to ensure our LGBTQ+ siblings' rights are upheld and defended."
The New York Post reported that a man wearing a gold mask was arrested during a clash between protestors and counterprotestors outside the event.
Andrew Davis