By Brett Reed.
Storyhouse Chester is a major cultural hub for our city. Well-known for holding a wide range of events from film and theatre screenings to live music, workshops and festivals. Funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Storyhouse has built a reputation for listening to the local community and regularly introducing fun, new and interactive events. During recent years, they have hosted inclusive drop-in events like ‘Mini Pride’ and ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’- in partnership with groups like ‘Curious Arts’ and ‘Chester Pride’. These activities are welcoming to age groups 3-7 years old, along with their families. The purpose of these events is to provide a “welcoming, relaxed space for families, to be proud and celebrate with them” (Storyhouse Live).
With Pride Month just a couple of weeks away, it has reignited the conversation surrounding whether the role of these events in family and youth community spaces is harmful, or if they are in the best interest of supporting and representing local LGBTQ+ families. It has also raised questions regarding upcoming events for next month in and around the area.
While Chester’s Storyhouse events have not faced public scrutiny and they have continued to hold theirs this year, the reactions elsewhere in the country over the last 3 years have been more than unreceptive. In Reading, the same ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ event prompted more than twenty complaints made to the local council. In cities like Oxford and Portsmouth, protestors have declared this to be “sexualising” children and “inappropriate”, arguing that drag is inherently adult-like and should not be associated with children.
On the other hand, the argument is that going to these events is not obligatory. They are simply there for families to attend with their children if they would like to; they are free to take part- nobody is being forced. Furthermore, for LGBTQ+ families in Chester who want to feel part of the local community, events like ‘Mini Pride’ offer joy and visibility, a place for groups to connect, make memories and share similar experiences.
However, what does pride mean for children…? More importantly, what should it mean for children? As an L(G)BTQ student myself, I never had anything like this growing up. And in most ways, it wasn’t necessary for the acknowledgement or acceptance of my own identity. Additionally, there is something to be said for just letting kids be kids- regardless of their parents being a part of the community or not. Can we really trust children aged 3-7 to truly know what their identity is, and that it is not being heavily influenced by their parents or carers?
I think that diversity can exist without forcing ideologies onto children too early. While these events aim to promote inclusion, there is a fine line between celebration and confusion- especially for children too young to understand drag, let alone the pride that Storyhouse encourages you to feel as part of being different.
