California LGBTQ Democrat lawmaker fights for right of drag queens to read to kids in public libraries

California Senator Scott Wiener demonstrated his solidarity with the San Francisco drag community by attending a Night of Ideas event at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) in celebration of drag queens and gender-themed books, as well as giving his support for a newly-launched SFPL “Drag Laureate” program.

Wiener tweeted photographs of himself at the Night of Ideas event on Saturday in the company of drag performer Juanita More, a local "drag legend."

“As more & more states ban books & drag queens, we’re celebrating both at San Francisco Public Library’s #NightOfIdeas,” said Wiener.

The California Democratic senator is referring to legislation in several Republican states that seek to ban drag performances in public areas where children could be present, as well as a push to get sexually explicit books off the shelves of school libraries.

Wiener has also recently given his public support to a new initiative of the SFPL: a “Drag Laureate” program that will provide a $55,000 stipend to a chosen drag artist who will serve as a spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco, and produce drag-centered events and programs in the region.

“San Francisco’s commitment to inclusivity and the arts are the foundation for who we are as a city,” said Mayor London Breed in a press release announcing the launch in November “Drag artists have helped pave the way for LGBTQ+ rights and representation across our city, and they are a part of what makes our City so special.”

“San Francisco’s Drag Laureate program is a wonderful celebration of our drag queens,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “Drag performers are an amazing representation of the LGBTQ community and they contribute so much to our city. I’m thrilled about the launch of this program, and excited to see who is crowned Drag Laureate.”

In 2018, the SFPL faced backlash after it displayed an “Antifa” art exhibit featuring blood-stained t-shirts encouraging people to “punch” feminists, alongside an assortment of deadly weapons, such as a sledgehammer and an axe, with handles painted in various colors such as those of the trans flag.

According to Deep Green Resistance, the disturbing exhibit was funded by Friends of The San Francisco Library, and created by The Degenderettes, a group of heterosexual males who identify as women and therefore believe themselves to be lesbians. These males believe it is an act of oppression when an actual lesbian excludes males from her dating pool.