Drag story hour at Des Moines Central Library met with prayer circle outside

Children of all ages swarmed to the front of a room in the Des Moines Central Library on Sunday afternoon, quieting quickly as drag queen Vana B opened a crisp copy of "Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress" by Christine Baldacchino.

The Blazing Saddle Gurls Vana B and Robin Graves — representatives of the longtime Des Moines gay bar — were guest readers for a drag story hour led by Iowa Safe Schools and Polk County supervisor Matt McCoy.

Sunday's goal was to showcase education and reading, McCoy said. Children who attended the drag story hour were allowed to pick one of three banned books read during the story hour.

McCoy said the event was meant to promote acceptance, as well.

"Banning books and trying to erase kids is not part of our culture, it's not part of our history, and we need to stand up for these kids and we need to support these types of programs," he said.

Becky Tayler, executive director of Iowa Safe Schools, said drag performers are neighbors, friends and students. It's an art form, she said.

"At the end of the day, every single Iowan has the right to feel safe in Iowa, period," Tayler said.

McCoy, who previously served as a state senator, said he wanted to continue his advocacy for the LGBTQ community, especially after the recent legislative session and seeing how it impacted young Iowans. Republican legislators passed several bills this year that impact LGBTQ students, like banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth, restricting bathroom use for trans students and disallowing instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation for younger students in school.

"I feel like they were really victimized," McCoy said. "This was a way to bring the community together, to celebrate and to lift people up and also stand for all that we're here trying to showcase."

McCoy said he received a lot of positive support for the event, describing the ratio of calls as 20 in support to 1 against. He said the opposed really miss the message of, "lifting kids up and being loving and supportive."

The misconception around drag, Robin Graves said, is rooted around hate and fear of those who may not look or think like them.

"I really hope those people turn that focus and that passion they feel against drag queens and turn it towards something that's actually affecting kids. It's not drag," she said.

Both Vana B and Robin Graves agreed the room of more than 200 hundred persons across various age ranges was bolstered by love and support, noting how amazing the turnout was.

'This is what the world needs right now'

Twelve-year-old Annie White beamed next to her father Christopher White as she stood in line waiting to take a photo with Vana B, Robin Graves and special guest Andrew Fuller. Both wore matching red RAYGUN shirts saying, "America Needs Love" in the classic bold font.

"This means a lot to me because this is an opportunity, this is the world that we live in so why not embrace it," Annie White said. "We can't hold these things up, this is the world we're living in. Let's embrace it, let's do it now. There can be so many more opportunities when we do this."

Annie White said she believes teaching children about diversity is crucial to help them understand that the world is much more than what they currently know. She encourages family, friends and other kids to attend similar events.

"This is what the world needs right now, it's really important to come out here and show our support for this," Annie White said.

Christopher White said he and his wife raised their children to be open, accepting and loving. He reflected on the amount of sadness and hatred he's seen towards drag queens and the LGBTQ community and believes it is important to show their support and stand with others.

"There are so many things in the world right now in our country that are harmful and hurtful, and this is not that," Christopher White said. "This is goodness and love and happiness, and let's celebrate who we were born to be."

How did the event come to be?

Space for the Des Moines Public Library's first drag story hour was secured a few weeks in advance, Des Moines Public Library communications supervisor Tim Paluch said.

Anyone can rent a room at the local library, Paluch said, and McCoy paid the fee out of pocket. Groups and organizations are responsible for additional security.

The Des Moines Police Department was present for Sunday's event.

"Anytime we can just kind of build these communities based around literacy is a good thing," Paluch said. "We just want to make sure it goes off in a safe way where people aren't being disruptive."

Prayers gather outside of the Des Moines Library

A small crowd gathered outside the library during the drag story hour.

Roughly 20 people stood in a huddle across the street on 12th and Locust. Heads were bent and rosaries wrapped tightly around hands as they recited in unison The Hail Mary portion of the Prayers of the Rosary.

A flyer provided to the Register said the gathering was for "those who appreciate the power of prayer, who understand that love − not hate and fear − motivates us, and who wish to protect the innocence of our youth are invited to pray."

The leader of the gathering, who declined to comment on the record, said they were not part of a single group, just individuals who came together.

A protestor interrupted the circle, standing in the middle and shouting over the group with words of support for trans youth and other members of the LGBTQ community. The protestor also displayed a flag meant to represent the trans community.

A Des Moines police officer directed the protestor away from the circle after a heated interaction.

The protestor, a trans woman who declined to be named, told the Register Sunday's moment falls within a broader context of an organized, well-funded national political movement that is restricting the legal rights of trans and queer youth in states like Florida — calling it violent and genocidal.

The woman said the counter-demonstration might seem innocuous and harmless, but it falls in the bigger context and struggle for rights, and said it's important to undermine their power and credibility. The protestor called the demonstration unsettling when children were trying to enjoy their Sunday at the drag story time.

Queens Vana B and Robin Graves reflect on the event

As the library room emptied out, Vana B and Robin Graves discussed the significance of reading banned books to children, particularly those that represent the LGBTQ community.

"It's important to continue to have these events," Robin Graves said. "It's family-friendly, it is encouraging and it's inspiring to young minds, especially in a way they can comprehend it through story hour, through books and literature."

It was a fun way for children to see that people can look different, Vana B said.

"People are just people," Vana B said.

"I wish when I was that age that those books were around for me because even as an adult, they're still inspiring," Vana B said.

Robin Graves and Vana B said they felt a little emotional reading the stories out loud.

"They touch the hearts of not just the children, but also the adults that bring them," Robin Graves said. "People that just wander in, allies and even our friends. Those stories are just amazing."

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

Register reporter Chris Higgins contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Safe Schools hosts drag hour at Des Moines Central Library