Each month we see more news stories about drag groups that exist to perform for children. Many such groups exist in the U.S. and the number of them continues to increase. Some groups push ethical bounds more than others. Various groups often have common qualities, and they seem to be pushing toward a shared set of goals. Differences between groups seem to be in the degree of aggressiveness applied to reaching their goals.
The Southeast Idaho drag performance group is called Reading Time with the Queens (RTWTQ). This particular group has been performing monthly in the Pocatello’s Marshall Public Library for several years, mostly without controversy until early spring of 2023. Compared to drag performance groups in other localities, the RTWTQ troupe might be considered conservative.
The 2023 notoriety came about in February when Pocatello Christian groups surprised everyone by arriving early to fill the seats of a scheduled library drag performance. The target audience, young children, was unable to attend because of existing safety capacity limits. In my opinion this strategy by the Christians successfully brought attention to the RTWTQ; but additional success was limited because the Christians weren’t able to effectively point to specific legally actionable behaviors by the drag performers.
The Pocatello RTWTQ group is very organized and disciplined. Opposing groups will probably never defeat RTWTQ by slinging mud or with moral or emotional arguments. An obvious amount of effort is invested in each RTWTQ performance. Performances are planned in detail, and well-rehearsed. Some costumes would impress any seamstress or tailor. The group adheres to a code of conduct that isn’t violated. Unlike drag performers in some other cities, RTWTQ performers never display inappropriate conduct around audience children. There is no bad language, no sexual innuendo, and no risqué costuming. RTWTQ troupe members almost never touch children or hold them on someone’s lap. Children are never invited to do or say anything that would make a parent blush.
Book and song selections for RTWTQ performances are mostly garden-variety children's selections from sources such as Mister Rogers or Dr. Seuss or Dolly Parton. Deviations in Pocatello from this garden variety description happen in predictable months. Examples: February, because Valentines Day provides an opportunity to talk about gay marriage topics. June, LGBT pride month, offers opportunities to read or sing about gay topics. August, such as in 2022, when Pocatello produced an additional pride weekend event in which the RTWTQ group had a booth for handing out literature, and they gave a child-oriented stage performance.
Except for the pride weekend events, audience members at typical RTWTQ library performances are consistently children in a 3- to 8-year-old range. These children are usually accompanied by an adult female — presumably the child’s mother — in an age range between 20 and 30 years old. Most adults would say that this is unremarkable because parents are responsible to decide what’s appropriate for their children. This is especially true as the performers aren’t breaking any laws.
So, what’s the problem? I think the RTWTQ troupe is playing a long game. The game is what I will call a 101-genders game. According to me, intentionally confusing young children about gender identity is unnecessary and harmful to children. RTWTQ performers are often natal males dressed as females; or they are natal females dressed as males with painted-on beards and mustaches. I doubt that the children are fooled about the performers true biological genders, but I do think they become confused by the casual normalization of gender inconsistencies such as an obvious female being introduced as Mr. Jones. The mothers exacerbate the problem when they support and participate in the confusion. I don’t see how young children benefit from being immersed in chaos and confusion of a 101-genders world view. However, I can easily imagine that children exposed repeatedly to this contrived normalcy might easily be manipulated in the future into supporting the agenda of the 101-genders leaders.
Are there any other problems? Yes. Think back to a concept called “Add the Words” that comes up each year in the Idaho legislature. If the Idaho Human Rights act is modified through legislative action or through a ballot initiative, issues about gender identity might have an immediate impact throughout Idaho. Remember the cake baker in Colorado. You’ve probably observed in recent years that it is increasingly normal, possible, and accepted in some contexts for a person to have a recognized gender identity today, and to change it again tomorrow just by making a new declaration without any physical change to the subject person. It would become nearly impossible to stay out of trouble on this. Imagine the lawsuits that could follow if people who don’t want to be involved are accused of not properly respecting, intentionally or otherwise, another person’s chosen gender identity.
If the RTWTQ group isn’t breaking laws, what might be some effective ways to push back against a group like this Pocatello? You should recognize that LGB+ groups aren’t going to fold up and leave Pocatello, a university town. They have a right to exist in Pocatello just as much as anyone else. An effective approach should start with a commitment to protect your own children. Don’t expend all your time and energy on other things while hoping that lawmakers, school boards, or others, will keep your children sheltered from these chaotic efforts.
Establish an open dialogue by talking honestly to your children every day. Start explaining at an early age that exactly two genders exist for humans, except for a tiny proportion of people, and this can be verified at any time throughout a person’s life with a DNA test. Explain that a person’s gender is a biological fact that never changes regardless of hormone therapy or surgical modifications. Explain that no person can spontaneously choose to re-identity as a different gender and then require me or you to call him or her by a new self-chosen set of pronouns. Continue the conversation with your children from there, daily, calmly and matter-of-factly. Support your child anywhere and everywhere in the concept that a person can’t get in trouble for telling the truth. Always remember that a small percentage of teachers and other leaders are activists who view the world differently than you or me. Make an effort to stay aware of things being taught in schools and raise objections where necessary. Keep a watchful eye on groups such as RTWTQ in Pocatello to spot changes in goals or tactics that might occur in the future and raise flags when necessary.
Lead your children by positive example. If you are a religious person, ask God for help and guidance. Keep your sense of humor. Be kind and respectful to all people. Expect resistance and learn positive ways to deal with it. Learn to roll with the punches.
