Drag Queen Story Time

Manchester Pride is providing Drag Queen Story Time online for those looking for free and educational activities during half term with the storytelling told by DIY SOS star Anna Phlyactic.

As part of the Alternative Manchester Pride Festival over August Bank Holiday, Manchester Pride streamed Drag Queen Story Time, which aims to provide a safe environment, in which children, teachers and parents can encounter LGBTQ+ representation – in a fun and engaging way.

The two part story time includes the stories Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman which is a heartwarming story that speaks to the unique challenges faced by boys who don’t identify with traditional gender roles, along with Mummy, Mamma and Me by Lesléa Newman which is about a loving family with two mums that depicts a fun-filled day in the life of a happy, loving family.

Jacob’s New Dress and Mummy, Mamma and Me are available to watch in the first part of story time.

The second part of story time with Auntie Anna Pie includes the stories Daddy, Papa and Me by Lesléa Newman which shares the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children, along with And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson which tells the story of two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who create a family together.

And Tango Makes Three and Daddy, Papa and Me are available to watch in the second part of story time.

Educating children from a young age on the importance of equality for LGBTQ+ people is the reason for the storytelling of LGBTQ+ representation books as part of the Alternative Manchester Pride Festival, with nearly half of LGBTQ+ pupils (45 per cent) – including 64% of trans pupils – being bullied for being LGBTQ+ in Britain’s schools, according to Stonewall’s school report.

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride said: «Along with this being a fun activity for parents with kids looking for free online activities during half term, the storytelling is also educational as it teaches children from a young age that families come in all forms and are not always made up of a mum and dad».

«The stories chosen by Drag Queen Story Time are specifically chosen to provide LGBTQ+ representation in storytelling for children».

Drag Queen Story Time aims to act as a resource to educate establishments that need to celebrate diversity in all its forms. By providing representation of LGBTQ+ individuals, who are proud of who they are and successful in what they do, DQST is able to give young LGBTQ+ people role models to look up to.

The story time performances have also often been used to begin the process of discussing LGBTQ+ topics – in a way that comes up naturally, rather than forced.

To find out more about Drag Queen Story Time visit dragqueenstorytime.com and for Manchester Pride visit – www.manchesterpride.com