There has been a lot of talk in the media in recent months regarding drag queens. Whether it is children at brunch or a teacher being fired for attending a drag show, the subject is polarizing among supporters and those against the art form. A recent Instagram video of a drag queen at a story hour in Massachusetts has caused quite a stir, with some believing the event was meant to indoctrinate children.
Video of the Queer Storytime for Palestine, organized by Valley Families for Palestine in Amherst, went viral with the star of the show, Lil Miss Hot Mess, reportedly telling the children, "Today what we're going to do is shout 'Free Palestine.' Can I hear that?" Critics say the event took things too far for kids.
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The event was meant to take a stand against injustice.
Per the Valley Families for Palestine's Instagram post, the event, starring Lil Miss Hot Mess, was recommended for children aged preschool through elementary school, and a $5 donation was suggested. The event was organized in the hopes of "celebrating Palestinian culture, learning about queer heroes, arts and crafts, talking about current events in an age-appropriate way, and an educational and fun afternoon. There will even be face painting!" the post reads.
Video of the event quickly went viral.
In the organization's Instagram video, Lil Miss Hot Mess took the stage and asked the children to cheer, "Free Palestine." Next, she encouraged the children to chant, "If you're a drag queen and you know it, and you really want to show it, if you're a drag queen and you know it, shout 'Free Palestine.'"
The group of young kids and adults follow her lead and merrily chant along in the clip.
Some cheered for the group.
The Valley Families for Palestine Instagram page had many supportive posts.
One person wrote, "Wow! What an incredible event!!!!"
Another commented, "Thank you for such a powerful event! "
Someone else wrote, "Cheers to you for speaking up."
Critics were not happy with Lil Miss Hot Mess.
The video made its way to X and was posted by @stopantisemites, who captioned the clip, "Valley Families for Palestine puts on 'Queer Storytime for Palestine' in which toddlers are recorded chanting 'Free Palestine'. The harsh reality? Members of the LGBTQ+ community are often murdered in Gaza and other Palestinian areas such as Ramallah."
The comment section was quick to point out the irony of a drag queen supporting a nation that does not support the LGBTQ community.
One person wrote, "If these people think Palestine is so wonderful and free, let me pay for their ticket and boarding. Only on the condition that they have to do a Drag Queen story hour for Palestinian children. And they have to have a livestream of the rooftop of the building it takes place on."
"I think they should all go visit and see the friendly LGBTQ+9ER community there!" someone else wrote.
"Does this qualify as child endangerment?" another person asked.
Eitan Fischberger, @efischberger on the app, also shared the video and wrote, “An indoctrination double whammy: ‘Free Palestine’ meets ‘drag queen story hour’ in Connecticut River Valley.”
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The drag queen posted about the event on Instagram.
She thanked the community for having her and wished the people of Palestine well.
"Last weekend I had the honor of taking part in a Queer Storytime for Palestine event with fellow kidlit authors @hannahmoushabeck and @sarahpragerbooks in Northampton, MA. The event was both a wonderful reminder of the power of imagination, community, and organizing, while at the same time heartbreaking in thinking about how we could feel so much joy together while Gazans (and especially Palestinian children) are suffering," she wrote. "Still, I hold out hope in working with children to bring about a just present and liberatory future."
One mom shared her gratitude, commenting, "Thank you for coming to Western MA and showing my children and their friends and community what it means to stand up for one another."
