A planned “drag queen story hour” at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey for faculty members’ children during “Bring your child to work” day was cancelled after staff objections. The event, featuring drag performer “Harmonica Sunbeam,” was called off the night before in order to consider the comfort levels of all involved. Sunbeam expressed disappointment at the last-minute cancellation, as the event had been planned for quite some time. The college cited respect for diverse viewpoints among staff as the reason for the cancellation, despite the event promoting inclusivity and acceptance. The controversy surrounding drag queen story hours has sparked debate in liberal enclaves, with some parents expressing concerns about exposing children to gender ideology and sexuality in public settings. Similar events have faced backlash in other states, demonstrating the divisive nature of these readings.
