Readers in Skagway participated in drag story time at the public library in mid-June. There were kings, queens and rainbow cupcakes.
On June 15, Skagway continued to celebrate Pride Month with story time at the library. The reading nook was full as drag king Petite Pierre and drag queen Candy Ginger read stories about inclusion and acceptance.
Ginger, also known as beloved teacher Cody Burnham, read “And Tango Makes Three.” It’s the true story of a pair of male penguins that hatch and raise a chick.
“Two penguins in the penguin house were a little bit different,” Ginger says. “One was named Roy and the other was named Silo. Roy and Silo were both boys. But they did everything together. They bowed to each other and walked together. They sang to each other and swam together. Wherever Roy went, Silo went too.
They didn’t spend much time with the girl penguins and the girl penguins didn’t spend much time with them. Instead, Roy and Silo wound their necks around each other. Their keeper, Mister Gamzee, noticed the two penguins and thought to himself they must be in love. Roy and Silo watched how the other penguins made a home, so they built a nest of stones for themselves.”
Pierre read “Jacob’s New Dress.” It tells the story of a boy who sews his own dress and wears it in public for the first time. On an ordinary day, Pierre is Gann Monroe, who performs for a gold rush-themed tour company.
“The kinds of stories we were reading were about acceptance, about, like, it’s okay if you don’t quite fit in,” Monroe says. “And I think that’s good for kids who feel they don’t fit in for any reason. Whether they’re queer or disabled, or a little bit, you know, just a little bit eccentric and quirky. I think that’s a good message. That’s a good message for the kids who maybe do fit in – to be kind to everyone else.”
Adding to the theme of kindness, Adalia Deach played her guitar and sang “I am Kind,” a song she told the children was about being a good friend.
Monroe says she feels welcome and safe as a drag performer.
“Oh, I feel very safe here in Skagway,” she says.
Sergeant Ken Cox attended the event per the library’s request. According to the police department, there were no perceived threats.
The event ended with cocoa, tea and Lucy’s Bakery famous cupcakes.
