(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) New York City public schools have reportedly spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on drag-queen performances for children, Breitbart reported.
Middle schools in New York are now bringing in drag queens to read with students. pic.twitter.com/TVXdxez1Le
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 17, 2022
Drag Story Hour NYC has received a total of $207,000 in taxpayer funds from a variety of publicly funded entities.
In the month of May 2022, the group was paid $46,000 from the city to perform in front of children as young as 3 years old.
According to the New York Post, the group has performed 49 times at 34 different schools ranging in ages since the start of this year.
“I can’t believe this. I am shocked,” Helen Qiu, a mom whose 11-year-old son attends a city public school, said.
“I would be furious if he was exposed without my consent,” added Qiu, who is also a candidate for New York state’s assembly. “This is not part of the curriculum.”
The payments have come from a mix of the state government’s Council on the Arts, as well as city government agencies such as the departments of Education, Cultural Affairs, Youth and Community Development, and Transportation.
Republican City Councilor Vickie Paladino said she was considering action against the schools that have booked these shows.
“I am considering pulling funding to any school in my district that is implementing Drag Queen Story Hour,” Paladino said. “We are taking hundreds of thousands of dollars out of the pockets of hardworking New York taxpayers … to fund a program teaching little children about their gender fluidity? Not. On. My. Watch.”
On the other side of the aisle, Councilor Jimmy Bramer praised the programming, saying he was “especially proud” to support grooming the children of New York City.
“I am especially proud to support Drag Queens Story Hour, a wonderfully imaginative and inclusive program for kids that encourages acceptance and a love of reading,” Brammer said. “Drag Queen Story Hour provides all kids with a space to be themselves and to see queer role models—something I desperately needed as a kid.”
