Backlash from "outside" groups is forcing Clinton Elementary School in Columbus to cancel Tuesday's Drag Queen Story Hour.
The event, sponsered by the PTA, was to feature two readers and raise money for the ALS Association. Columbus City Schools officials says it supports the school and the PTA's efforts to promote diversity, but they called the event off to ensure the safety of the students after the school was hit with negative messages following a social media call to action from opponents of the Drag Queen Story Hour program. A district spokepserson said: "It is unfortunate that outside agitators feel the need to influence what we do locally".
Last summer two similar events scheduled at Central Ohio libraries were cancelled after they facde similar threats. An hour-long "Drag 101" program focusing on the theatrical aspects of drag at the Delaware County District Library was cancelled because of threats from individuals outside the community. And an after-hours event called "Galaxy of Diversity" at the Licking County Library was also cancelled.
Speaker of the Ohio House Larry Householder sent a letter of complaint to the Ohio Libraries Council, calling the events “a stunningly bizarre breach of the public trust.”
