Angel Elektra stood before her audience, statuesque in a floral-print dress and mile-long eyelashes. "How's everyone doing today?"
It was time for Drag Queen Story Hour and the reading room of the Jackson Heights Library was packed with the under-5 set. Angel cued some music and the crowd started dancing. Then came a round of "Wheels on the Bus," which segued into a book reading: Llama Llama Rojo Pajama, or Llama Llama Red Pajamas.
"So the reality of it is, the llama was really tired," she explained in a pensive moment. "But at the same time he wanted — or she wanted — or she-he, doesn't matter — wanted her mom's attention."
Drag Queen Story Hour began in San Francisco a little over two years ago and has been sweeping across the five boroughs. Council Member Danny Dromm helped bring it to Jackson Heights. He flung a feather boa over his shoulders, as the kids watched.
"They just love that type of showmanship and I think people forget that," he said. "[Adults are] all worried, and they're thinking sexual things! This has nothing to do with that."
Rather, it has to do with flamboyance and a love of self, he said.
To some in America, this kind of gender bending may appear transgressive or dangerous. But Dromm, who is openly gay, says it's important to normalize the LGBTQ community for kids.
Angel agreed.
"I wish this type of event was around when I was born," she told the audience. "That way myself and my parents would've been taught differently. But I'm here now and I'm here to embrace that to your children. So thank you for allowing me to do that."
