The library confirmed that the events will continue as planned. It has been a long and draining road to this outcome but I am grateful that we secured this space for our community. Let us enjoy this victory while keeping our eyes open to ensure these doors stay wide open.
June 26, 2023
Final supporters
**CONTRIBUTIONS MADE ON THIS WEBSITE GO TO THE WEBSITE, NOT COOK COUNTY PRIDE - IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO COOK COUNTY PRIDE, VENMO @Lenna-Stever **
There is a petition circulating in opposition to future Drag Queen Story Hours in cook county- it is largely based on misinformation stating that these events will be publicly funded by the Library. This petition serves as a blanket affirmation that those of us who live in/ visit / love cook county are in support of free expression and representation for LGBTQIA people ! Pride month is upon us, let’s celebrate the community!!
Drag is an expansive art form, and is not inherently sexual- Drag performers choose their roles, much like the actors and models we see in children television shows, or sponsorships for brands that advertise to children and families Those same actors also have the freedom to take on roles in adult oriented TV Shows and Movies, in centerfold spreads in magazines, or on the billboards that line our publicly funded highways.
You have likely enjoyed performances of drag by the likes of Bugs Bunny, or of Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, or in Monty Python.
Make no mistake, queer youth have always and always will exist in Cook County (and everywhere)- they will exist despite lack of resources or support from their families, their peers, their libraries, their educators, or their communities- Many of them will not survive these conditions. Many others will make the very difficult choice to leave their homes and find community and chosen family elsewhere.
If you do not wish to attend Drag Queen Story Hours, or to bring your children to these events, it is fully within your rights to simply not attend!
COOK COUNTY PRIDE EVENTS SCHEDULE:
JUNE 10th
9 am: Free yoga with Carly at Harbor Park
10 am-12 pm: Arts, Crafts, and Sign Making at the HUB
12-1 pm: Drag Queen Story Hour at the HUB
1:30-2:30 pm: Out Front MN Presentation at the HUB
3-5 pm: Event Set-Up Harbor Park - Volunteers Welcome
5-6:30 pm: Rally and March Harbor Park
6:30-7:30 pm: Free Dinner and Social Hour at Harbor Park
8:30-11pm: DJ Dance After-Party at Up Yonder
Updates
June 2, 2023
Reaching this point has been an exhausting uphill climb but seeing this level of support honestly keeps me going. It is clear that our community refuses to let misinformation dictate our local culture. I feel the weight of this responsibility and I am not stopping now.
Reached 100 supporters
June 2, 2023
65 Comments
Representation matters! Our youth deserve to feel accepted and like they belong, whether they are straight or part of the LGBTQ+ community! I attended the last Drag Queen Story Hour in Grand Marais and loved the message that shone through; We all belong!
Representation for our youth saves lives! The suicide rates for LGBTQ+ youth are exponentially higher than those who identify as straight/binary. A supportive community DOES make a difference.
From someone who never came out while I lived in Grand Marais, I hope it can be a safer place to do so in the future.
I support Drag Storytime in Cook County even if it IS funded with my tax dollars. Which this is not.
As a librarian and a former Grand Marais resident and a frequent visitor, I want to support Drag Queen Story hours everywhere and especially the GM Library.
Drag is not the problem.
Quit “dragging” our kids into your perversion.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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The library confirmed that the events will continue as planned. It has been a long and draining road to this outcome but I am grateful that we secured this space for our community. Let us enjoy this victory while keeping our eyes open to ensure these doors stay wide open.
June 26, 2023
Final supporters
**CONTRIBUTIONS MADE ON THIS WEBSITE GO TO THE WEBSITE, NOT COOK COUNTY PRIDE - IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO COOK COUNTY PRIDE, VENMO @Lenna-Stever **
There is a petition circulating in opposition to future Drag Queen Story Hours in cook county- it is largely based on misinformation stating that these events will be publicly funded by the Library. This petition serves as a blanket affirmation that those of us who live in/ visit / love cook county are in support of free expression and representation for LGBTQIA people ! Pride month is upon us, let’s celebrate the community!!
Drag is an expansive art form, and is not inherently sexual- Drag performers choose their roles, much like the actors and models we see in children television shows, or sponsorships for brands that advertise to children and families Those same actors also have the freedom to take on roles in adult oriented TV Shows and Movies, in centerfold spreads in magazines, or on the billboards that line our publicly funded highways.
You have likely enjoyed performances of drag by the likes of Bugs Bunny, or of Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, or in Monty Python.
Make no mistake, queer youth have always and always will exist in Cook County (and everywhere)- they will exist despite lack of resources or support from their families, their peers, their libraries, their educators, or their communities- Many of them will not survive these conditions. Many others will make the very difficult choice to leave their homes and find community and chosen family elsewhere.
If you do not wish to attend Drag Queen Story Hours, or to bring your children to these events, it is fully within your rights to simply not attend!
COOK COUNTY PRIDE EVENTS SCHEDULE:
JUNE 10th
9 am: Free yoga with Carly at Harbor Park
10 am-12 pm: Arts, Crafts, and Sign Making at the HUB
12-1 pm: Drag Queen Story Hour at the HUB
1:30-2:30 pm: Out Front MN Presentation at the HUB
3-5 pm: Event Set-Up Harbor Park - Volunteers Welcome
5-6:30 pm: Rally and March Harbor Park
6:30-7:30 pm: Free Dinner and Social Hour at Harbor Park
8:30-11pm: DJ Dance After-Party at Up Yonder
Updates
June 2, 2023
Reaching this point has been an exhausting uphill climb but seeing this level of support honestly keeps me going. It is clear that our community refuses to let misinformation dictate our local culture. I feel the weight of this responsibility and I am not stopping now.
Reached 100 supporters
June 2, 2023
65 Comments
I don’t understand what’s so hard about if you don’t want to hear drag story hour, then don’t listen. Not much different than going to the grocery store and walking past the food you don’t eat! ❤️
Representation matters! Our youth deserve to feel accepted and like they belong, whether they are straight or part of the LGBTQ+ community! I attended the last Drag Queen Story Hour in Grand Marais and loved the message that shone through; We all belong!
Representation for our youth saves lives! The suicide rates for LGBTQ+ youth are exponentially higher than those who identify as straight/binary. A supportive community DOES make a difference.
From someone who never came out while I lived in Grand Marais, I hope it can be a safer place to do so in the future.
I support Drag Storytime in Cook County even if it IS funded with my tax dollars. Which this is not.
As a librarian and a former Grand Marais resident and a frequent visitor, I want to support Drag Queen Story hours everywhere and especially the GM Library.
Drag is not the problem.
Quit “dragging” our kids into your perversion.
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I don’t understand what’s so hard about if you don’t want to hear drag story hour, then don’t listen. Not much different than going to the grocery store and walking past the food you don’t eat! ❤️