A drag queen reading to children is drawing the ire of conservatives in Long Beach, California.
Drag personality Xochi Mochi made an appearance at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood library during the Drag Queen Story Hour. She posted a photo of herself in action on Instagram, adorned with horns, reading to her captive audience.
The event is not exclusive to the Michelle Obama library, as there are nearly dozens of other similar activities for children across the country.
According to the Drag Queen Story Hour website, DQSH "captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real."
But conservatives were outraged at what they interpreted was an offensive display that can confuse a child's perception of gender.
Mortified critics lambasted the drag queen and equated her with the devil.
Publications like World Net Daily called Xochi Mochi's appearance as "Satanist-approved," in a report titled: "Drag-queen demon reads to kids at Michelle Obama Library," while GOP congressional candidate Omar Navarro tweeted the drag queen's photo commenting, “Demonic teachings alive in Long Beach. I’m outraged they would allow this.”
Much was made of the fact that the horns were Satan-inspired despite the fact that Christian demons typically have two horns instead of Xochi Mochi's mythical five-horned headpiece.
While Long Beach Library Services Director Glenda Williams didn't mention hosting additional drag queen reading events in the future, she expressed her support. “We will continue to have events that have inclusiveness for the entire community,” she said.
The library's Twitter account no longer shows Xochi Mochi's photo and provided an explanation on their Facebook page.
“The storytime was very well attended, with 60-70 people in attendance. Unfortunately, the social media post the City of Long Beach Public Library shared to celebrate LBGTQ History Month received several hateful and harmful comments to the LGBTQ community, mostly from those outside of Long Beach, and ultimately the City decided to remove the post as it was no longer a productive conversation.”
While others showed their support for Xochi Mochi...
Others were miffed at the demon goddess for scaring children.
Some people seriously need to calm down.
One user schooled haters on the fact that Xochi Mochi was emulating the Killer Klowns From Outer Space 1988 comedy film, not a demon.
Miss Thing was still seen as a hit, not a miss.
Council Rex Richardson, who represents the Ninth Council District that includes the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library encouraged for the continuation of events that are open to everyone. “If the LGBTQ community wants to have activities at our libraries, they’re more than welcome,” he said. “It’s a public institution that represents everyone.”
Conservatives tied the controversy to Michelle Obama because of her name attached to the library; however, the former FLOTUS does not own the institution. It was named in her honor in September 2016.
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