Thrilled primary school children were entertained by a drag queen who calls herself ‘Bristol’s Resident S***’ on World Book Day despite parents’ fury.
Pupils at Parsons Street Primary School in Bedminster, Bristol, spent the morning hearing childrens’ tales read by entertainers from Drag Queen Story Time.
The youngsters shrieked with laughter during the session and joined in enthusiastically with singalongs.
Pupils at Parsons Street Primary School in Bedminster, Bristol, spent the morning hearing childrens’ tales read by entertainers from Drag Queen Story Time
Headteacher Jamie Barry invited the entertainers from Drag Queen Story Time in to promote LGBT issues and tolerance of others.
However, certain mothers and fathers questioned whether the show was ‘age appropriate’ and claimed one of the drag queens had a raunchy nickname.
Speaking before the event, a mother, who wished to remain anonymous, fumed: ‘Lots of parents at the school are not happy about it but the headmaster says there’s no negotiation.
‘He said if we don’t like it we should take our kids out of school on an unauthorised absence.
‘There are books dotted around the school about sexuality, they learn a lot about LGBTQ+ in school and that’s fine.
‘But I just think it’s gone too far now and the head is using his position of power and influence to push this information on the children.
Drag Queen Story Time, which uses specially-written stories to capture ‘the imagination and gender fluidity of childhood’, has performed in front of audiences across the UK
‘One of the drag queens refers to herself as Bristol’s Resident S***, these are children of between four and 11 – they don’t need to be exposed to that.
‘They are adult entertainers, I just don’t see how that is age appropriate.’
Drag Queen Story Time, which uses specially-written stories to capture ‘the imagination and gender fluidity of childhood’, has performed in front of audiences across the UK.
Parsons Street’s 461 pupils, aged from three to 11 years old, were captivated by their comedic tales.
One was about a dog who wanted to be a frog, and another about a princess who did not want to get married.
Despite families complaining before the event, after mothers said they were pleased with the session and praised the school for offering the opportunity.
The youngsters shrieked with laughter during the session and joined in enthusiastically with singalongs
Mother-of-two Fay Passey, 42, said: ‘I think the lessons about diversity and inclusivity are really important for primary school children to learn.
‘I think a lot of bullying stems from being different – if you are a boy and you want to wear a dress, that should be OK.
‘I think children should be brought up to accept that people are different. If they have been to a pantomime they will have seen something similar.’
Education worker Rachael James, 42, came into school with her children Carys, seven, and Gethin, five, to watch the show.
She said: ‘I think with young minds they just see their friends for who they are.
‘Misconceptions only grow as they get older, with prejudice.
‘You want your children to grow into kind and respectful human beings. If Drag Queen Story Time can help teach that, then that’s great.
Parents were pleased with the session and praised the school for offering the opportunity
‘The people who are up in arms have this preconceived idea of what a drag queen is, that it’s adult entertainment full of sexual innuendos.
‘If it’s 11pm in a pub then that is probably what you get, but this is a primary school and any performer knows to tailor to their audience.’
Angela Luscott, 45, praised the opportunities the school children got to experience things they might normally get to see.
‘Anything that makes the children proud of who they are, and want to act or read out loud, anything that builds their confidence is perfect,’ she said.
‘The whole point is not to pass on prejudice to the next generation.’
Her children Eddie, aged eight, and Charlotte, aged five, had recently taken part in an after-school ballet workshop after Mr Barry invited professional dancers to come to the school.
The single mother said: ‘I’m sad that the people who complained can’t see the fun in it. Quite a few of us sent in emails of support.’