Editor:
As a lifelong liberal, born in San Francisco and raised in California, I don’t fit the “right wing” characterization of those concerned about drag shows for kids that is expressed in the article “Drag For The Next Generation” (May 18). But I am concerned.
I found the suggestion that I don’t know my own feelings, which might be rooted in fear or phobias instead, insulting. The claim that the opposition is afraid of “losing … normal society” is equally presumptive.
Overall, the article is biased and doesn’t include commentary from any opposing view.
So here are the arguments made for all ages drag shows and why I think they’re wrong.
1) We’re already sexualizing kids in a heterosexual way, so why not in this way too.
The assumption is it’s OK to sexualize kids, but it’s not.
2) Grooming and sexual abuse is not linked to LGBTQ+ people.
But the concern is that early exposure to sexuality makes children de-sensitized and more susceptible to abuse later by anyone.
3) Drag is for sharing safe spaces, coping tools and being part of an adopted family.
This assumes children are sexually non-conforming and need support, and that it’s not provided by parents. It implies there aren’t other activities where children can be accepted and be part of a group. These are not valid assumptions.
4) Children are the only legal group without self-representation.
But children are incapable of making informed decisions about drugs, drinking or sex.
Regarding hate and threats to the LGBTQ+ community, which do exist, I think a church sign saying “Beware” is hardly a threat.
And despite the claim of “unconditional love,” I was sincerely afraid to write this response as there’s as much hate coming from the Pride community as there is from the Proud one.
Julia Scott, Arcata
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Drag for the Next Generation
This article appears in Launching Nigilax̂.
Dear Julia and others,
Here is a link to a PBS NewsHour clip in which you can see excerpts from a Drag Queen Story Hour. The point, well-made in my opinion, is that it helps children to understand that some folks can be different and still be accepted and fun, not that anyone SHOULD be different. Knowing that some people are different, and just fine, seems like a pretty important liberal principle. I think, at root, teaching tolerance of differences frightens some people, not because they worry that it will sexualize their child, or turn them Jewish or Black or gay, but that their child might grow up to be more inclusive than they are themselves. But, personally, I think a world more inclusive of people who don’t harm others, and less tolerant of people who DO harm others, would be a great thing.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/drag-que…
Oh, Bugs Bunny appeared in drag forty times, if you can believe Wikipedia. I don’t worry that he (?) sexualized any child. Do you?
First of all, Bugs Bunny was not dressed like a drag queen. Secondly, your comment is saying what people are really afraid of is that their children will be more inclusive. That sounds pretty ridiculous.
Finally, I believe children already understand people are different as they see that every day, at least in media. Looking at the larger picture, why is it the sexual diversity that is so stressed these days?
I think we already have a world where there are laws against harming people physically. But when the meaning of the word “harm” is so slippery that a word can make you a criminal, the world has become a much more dangerous place.
Swift,
You are right that there are laws against physically harming others. These laws have varying degrees of selective enforcement, largely depending upon community and police attitudes.
What else is harmful? Were you ever bullied growing up because of who you were? Have you ever known a child who is afraid to go to school for fear of respected kids using slurs against them? Have you ever known someone who is aware that they will be followed around by security whenever they enter a store? Who always dresses impeccably so that they will be recognized as “a good one,” and convince themselves they are making themselves safer? Who worships in their car so their colleagues won’t be aware they must prostrate themselves several times daily to conform to the requirements of their religion? Who is terrified of being stopped by police for a broken taillight? All of these situations really occur on a daily basis.
You can be in the mainstream and truly be unaware of the burdens our society places on those who are different in some way, because it never happens to you. And often, when diversity begins to be represented, the very oddity of seeing the sorts of people the media hasn’t shown with any dignity in the past may make it seem as if that’s all you are seeing. It’s an illusion, I think.
One could hardly call me mainstream, and I am not sheltered. There’s always some underlying assumption that someone with my views just doesn’t understand. I know what a drag queen story hour looks like.
The idea that I or others just haven’t seen different people before is so simplistic. What I am seeing is NOT an illusion.
My point was that someone having a different view and speaking about it should not be criminalized under the definition of “harm” or be considered “intolerant”, but that’s exactly what is happening. And my question remains unanswered: Why is it the sexual diversity that is being so emphasized these days?
I fully agree with Swift that they should not be criminalized for expressing their views, even if their views are intolerant. Who has gone to jail for expressing their dismay at the existence of drag shows where children are admitted? A list would be helpful so we can determine just how widespread such abuse of power has become. As for being considered intolerant, which is a very different thing than having the state criminalize your expression, some people will consider you intolerant when you say things they consider intolerant. Not a thing you can do about it, except, in the event you find such people reasonable on other issues, perhaps you might examine why they consider your statement intolerant. In the alternative, of course, you can just ignore them, since, unlike the way gay people used to be bullied, those expressing anti-gay views are unlikely to experience bullying.