West Twin Cities

Drag queen story hours are not uncommon, but Republican lawmakers feel they should not take place on the taxpayer’s dime in Minnesota.

A bill has been proposed that would cut off regional funding to libraries who host the events.

Drag queen story hour took take place during Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) History Month at Hennepin Library. 

Lawmakers felt it is not the best use of taxpayer money, particularly when considering the exposure children were receiving. Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen (R-Glencoe) is the lead author of the bill. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton), Eric Lucero (R-Dayton), John Poston (R-Lake Shore) and Sandy Layman (R-Grand Rapids) are cosponsors of the bill.

“I believe the majority of parents and taxpayers would not rate drag queen story time as a G but probably an R,” he said to the Star Tribune. ”I also believe that if this is allowed to continue and normalized, the next step will be to mandate it into public schools where minor children will be exposed without parental consent.”

The Democrats are in control of the House, making it unlikely the proposed bill will go anywhere. The Senate does have a Republican majority and the caucus posted against the practice on Facebook in 2019. 

The House proposal would go into effect 2021 should it gain passage. Libraries that host drag queen story hour would lose their funding from the Department of Education to the other members in the participating regional library system.

There are 12 regional systems in Minnesota that receive approximately $14 million in funding from the state every year. The Metro Arts Council awarded $6,950 in funding for the upcoming season of drag queen story time in St. Paul and Minneapolis.