A Message From Our Chairman About drag queen story time

To Our Community,
As we enter the holiday season we bring to our community a wonderful event, Drag Queen Story Time, which I feel is quite fitting for the season, I along with the leadership of Baton Rouge Pride would like to remind everyone that this event is designed to help future generations learn about acceptance, inclusion and most important anti-bullying. Though there have been many negative comments and connotations about our event, I’d like to take a moment to assure everyone that this is truly a child friendly event with children in mind.

• We have chosen to partner with a business whose industry is known to be LGBTQIA+ friendly, a business who accepts everyone no matter their ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender identity or social background. We are thankful for Aveda Institute Baton Rouge, their parent company and their leadership for being part of this event.
• This event is NOT a Drag Show like you see at a bar or club, on TV or in movies. The Drag Queens are dressing in appropriate, non-provocative costume. Children will see a princess, not a bearded lady (though there is nothing wrong with that at all). Children will see an actor, a cartoon character; but not something provocative.
• The individuals sitting and reading are amazing people who want to do good for our community in ways others can't or won't.
• The individuals are reading books about NOT Bulling People, Accepting People, and Including Others are here to help our community grow.
• We are choosing appropriate books, which we will later release titles for, from a list compiled by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), specifically designed for children K-5 in partnership with NEA’s Read Across America Program.

I’d like to remind everyone that the vision of Baton Rouge Pride as we move forward is under new leadership, “Provide not only an annual Family-Friendly Pride Festival but to have many smaller events throughout the year for all ages.” Drag Queen Story Time is one of those many Family-Friendly events and I’d like to personally invite everyone to our next event, Bowling With Pride on December 13th. Though Bowling with Pride is not a free event, all proceeds are used to keep our annual Pride Fest and other smaller events throughout the year free.
I must say how extremely PROUD I am to be part of and lead an organization which is able to spread love, acceptance and healthy diversity to our community. I am proud to call these Drag Queens friends. And I will forever be grateful for all of those who help and have helped to make this event and everything Baton Rouge Pride does for our community a success.

To end with the words of one of the greatest writers of our time:
HATE it has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet. Maya Angelou
 
In service,
Christopher Bradford
Chairman