Drag Queen Story Hour Still On In Leander, With Different Host

LEANDER, TX — The “Drag Queen Story Hour” has found a new host after having been unceremoniously dumped by the Leander library last week.

Officials at the Open Cathedral, a recently opened church that meets at an elementary school, announced they would host the event on June 15 at the Leander library, 1011 S. Bagdad Ave. In a Facebook post, Open Cathedral officials said they made the decision to host the event because "We must never stop striving for safe spaces for our kids to be unique and loved no matter what."

In a FAQ page created to address questions about the event, city officials explain the event was canceled after community feedback was secured: "While numerous events are presently under review, the city's decision to cancel these events at this time was made collectively among city and library management staff after receiving input from many citizens and community stakeholders," city officials wrote.

The story hour and another event dubbed the Summer Superhero Saturday both were canceled. In explaining the reasons, an explanation on the specially created FAQ page contradicts earlier suggestions the move was sparked after feedback from the community.

"The two canceled events were chosen [for cancellation] because they involve live entertainment with outside guests that were not included in the Central Texas Library System’s slate of recommended entertainers," city officials wrote. "Our review process will consider how live entertainment groups are selected and screened prior to being added to the library’s promoted events and programs, as well as community interest and input in such events."

City officials explained that while the event is still scheduled at a library conference room on June 15, it won't be hosted by the library: "While the event will still be held at the Leander Public Library facility on the same day as previously scheduled, activities will be hosted and managed by Open Cathedral church, not Leander Public Library or the City of Leander," city officials wrote. "Use of library conference rooms also does not constitute a City of Leander endorsement of viewpoints expressed by participants in the rental agreement, and rental requests are honored on a first come, first-served basis."

The trend of story hours being read by drag queens have polarized communities as the latest skirmish in the culture wars. Schools and libraries have often been targeted for criticism for hosting such events, including in Houston where officials apologized to community members after it was learned one of the performers in a drag queen story there was a registered sex offender.

In a since-deleted post, Mayor Troy Hill waded into the culture wars swamps in explaining what led to the cancellation of the story hour as hosted by the library: “Our library, which is run by a company contracted by the city, chose to wade into social issues water without approval from city staff. Since then it has led to predictable outrage and divisiveness that is the reason to avoid these issues. I would be curious if those favoring ‘inclusiveness’ would feel the same had it been story-telling time about the life of Donald Trump, or how those who want it canceled would feel about canceling a story of guns in America. We have lost our ability to discuss with respect for opposing views.”

The conservative mayor subsequently deleted the post before screen shots of it emerged:

For its part, Open Cathedral describes itself as "open and affirming" on its website. Its mission: "Following Jesus’ invitation to 'Love one another. Just as I have loved you.' (John 13:34), Open Cathedral strives to be ever more open to and affirming of all people by embracing similarities and celebrating differences in age, race, ethnicity, income level, ability, sexual orientation and gender expression."

The Drag Queen Story Hour is scheduled on Saturday, June 15, from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the Leander library located at 1011 S. Bagdad Rd.