The Welcoming and Affirming Committee seeks to make all persons welcome at Trinity and fully affirmed as members of the congregation. It especially aims at making LGBT persons, often rejected by Christians in the past, feel entirely accepted and affirmed. The committee has recently organized Adult Forums on topics such as “What does it mean to be a welcoming and affirming parish?” and “Themes of Homosexuality in the Bible.” It proposed to the Vestry and obtained approval for a revised parish mission statement and revised language about marriage on the website. For further information or to participate in this ministry contact Agnes Wozniak or Tom Izbicki.
Drag Queen Story Time at Trinity!
November 3, 2019
Some Trinity members may be wondering what exactly is a “Drag Queen Story Time (DQST)” and why our church has decided to host one. A central Christian understanding is that human beings are created in God’s own image. In the Baptismal Covenant of The Episcopal Church, we promise to respect the dignity of every human being. In that spirit, we are celebrating the gifts of a member of the community, who will be the featured presenter in this program of stories, songs, movement, and crafts for young people. Drag Queen Story Time is like a normal library story time created for children, with picture books, songs, movement, games, and crafts. In particular, DQST emphasizes themes of acceptance, diversity, love, and kindness. Uniquely, DQST features a drag queen as storyteller. Since its inception over three years ago, DQST has expanded nationally. These events have become increasingly popular, drawing large crowds. Drag Queen Story Times have even begun to pop up at libraries, schools, and bookstores globally in Canada, England, and even Tokyo, Japan.
The DQST to be hosted at Trinity will include several children's stories about inclusion and acceptance written from a religious perspective. Our featured storyteller, Balena Canto, will read A Church for All, by Gayle E. Pitman. This simple, lyrical story celebrates a diverse community on a Sunday morning at an inclusive church that welcomes all people regardless of age, class, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. She will also read God’s Dream, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Archbishop Tutu has a vision of God's dream, which he shares here with the youngest of listeners. It involves people who reach out and hold each other's hands, but sometimes get angry and hurt each other — and say they're sorry and forgive. It's a wish that everyone will see they are brothers and sisters, no matter their way of speaking to God, no matter the size of their nose or the shade of their skin. Aided by vibrant artwork evoking such images as a rainbow and a sharing circle, Tutu offers the essence of his ubuntu philosophy, a wisdom so clear and crystalline that even the smallest child can understand. Lastly, the story time will include other books, songs, and movement activities, some with and some without an explicitly religious component.
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DQST is a fun experience that fosters creativity and at the same time provides children with a positive and confident LGBTQ adult role model. They see someone who is comfortable with exactly who they are. It gives an example to those children who may feel or one day feel similarly. It also shows people how to embrace, accept, and feel empathy towards those different from them, even if that difference is something they might not fully understand. The hope is that by providing this opportunity at an early age, DQST will help diminish the harrowing effects of bullying: “LGBTQ-positive programs like DQST are a vital part of making the world a safe and affirming place for all children” (Drag Queen Story Hour organization website).
Having a drag queen as a children’s storyteller offers LGBTQ (and all) youth an experience they would not normally be able to access. This is because DQST is geared specifically towards children and contains age-appropriate content, whereas a “traditional” drag show is usually held at 21+ venues and is for an adult audience. Additionally, these programs strive to foster awareness and acceptance of ALL facets of identity, like race, religion, nationality, age, disability, socio-economic status, familial structure, and more. At its core, DQST is advocacy for love and acceptance. Finally, drag queens are natural born performers. They are energetic, funny, and know how to address a crowd and hold their attention. |
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People who are unfamiliar with the idea of Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) can be concerned about a hidden agenda. Here is a quote from the DQSH National Organization website: “The agenda is simple: A belief that people of all ages should be free to express themselves however they want, free from the constraints of prescribed gender roles. …DQSH teaches children that there are many ways to express themselves and their gender, and they are all OK. Of course, drag is an art form that is rooted in diverse LGBTQ communities, and we support equality, justice, and respect for all people. …Given that LGBTQ people are present in every community, we believe that children deserve to be exposed to these aspects of our shared history and culture, in age appropriate ways....”
The character of Balena Canto is created by Matthew Maisano, Trinity’s bass section leader and soloist, opera singer, and library assistant at the Penn Wynne Library. In Matthew’s own words, his goal “is to show our youngest generations that they can create a world full of love and acceptance instead of hate and bigotry. A world where regardless of the intersections of their identity, a child can go to school feeling free of the anxiety, pain, and anguish of daily bullying, harassment, and violence. Where people of all ages can easily find love and support and know that it is okay to seek help when they feel alone, confused, or are even contemplating personal harm.” Matthew recently appeared with the Opera Company of Philadelphia in “Love for Three Oranges.” Matthew is a popular presenter of Drag Queen Story Times. You can find out about upcoming performances by following Matthew on Facebook at www.facebook.com/balenacanto. We thank Matthew for finding time for this event!
--Welcoming and Affirming Committee
The character of Balena Canto is created by Matthew Maisano, Trinity’s bass section leader and soloist, opera singer, and library assistant at the Penn Wynne Library. In Matthew’s own words, his goal “is to show our youngest generations that they can create a world full of love and acceptance instead of hate and bigotry. A world where regardless of the intersections of their identity, a child can go to school feeling free of the anxiety, pain, and anguish of daily bullying, harassment, and violence. Where people of all ages can easily find love and support and know that it is okay to seek help when they feel alone, confused, or are even contemplating personal harm.” Matthew recently appeared with the Opera Company of Philadelphia in “Love for Three Oranges.” Matthew is a popular presenter of Drag Queen Story Times. You can find out about upcoming performances by following Matthew on Facebook at www.facebook.com/balenacanto. We thank Matthew for finding time for this event!
--Welcoming and Affirming Committee