Through a fun and fabulous literary experience, DQSH celebrates learning and play, encouraging kids to celebrate gender diversity and all kinds of difference, while building confidence in expressing themselves. Some cities also offer other kinds of DQSH programming for kids and teens of all ages.
Costumes encouraged! The event is open to all but is designed for children ages 3 to 8.
Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real.
DQSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco. It started out as drag queens reading stories to children in libraries and grew into a global phenomenon! The organzation now offers literary and creative programming for kids and teens of all ages led by drag queens, kings, and creatures all over the world. DQSH is a global network of local organizations, each of which is independently managed and funded.
This is the second of four DQSH events the Newberry is hosting in 2019-2020.
This series is supported by a grant from the Chicago Free for All Fund at the Chicago Community Trust.
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