Attorney General Campbell Hosts Drag Story Hour at More Than Words in Boston
Boston — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell hosted a drag story hour yesterday at More Than Words in Boston. She was joined by local drag queen Just JP and an audience of children and their families to read LGBTQ+ inclusive books: "Julian is a Mermaid," "Red: A Crayon’s Story," "T'was the Night Before Pride," and "Neither."
Drag Story Hour, established in 2015, creates opportunities for young people to learn from and engage in storytelling through the art of drag, while nurturing creativity in young minds, breaking down stereotypes, and creating an inclusive space for all children and families.
“In order to celebrate diversity in all its forms, we must first create spaces that allow for people of all ages to show up as their authentic selves,” said AG Campbell. “I want to extend my gratitude to Just JP for facilitating our Drag Story Hour and to More Than Words for helping us put on an event that fosters celebration, understanding, and empathy.”
“Youth education is a powerful tool for creating inclusive and diverse communities, and I am grateful to Attorney General Campbell for leading an Office focused on that work,” said Just JP. “It was an absolute joy to participate in today’s Drag Story Hour as we continue to celebrate and honor Pride Month.”
“More Than Words is all about empowering youth, and this event is just one more way to welcome our community and create safe spaces for young people,” said Jay, a More Than Words alumna who opened the event. “We want to thank AG Campbell for being such a big supporter of youth, and Just JP for being fabulous and reading books with us today!”
At the event, the AG’s Office also highlighted resources for the LGBTQ+ community including the Office’s Mental Health and Gender-Affirming Care Resource Guide.
AG Campbell has continued to reaffirm her commitment to protect and promote the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. This week, she released an updated Protections Against Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation guide with new information about how the law protects those who identify as nonbinary or transgender. Her office has also filed or joined various friend-of-the-court briefs at state and federal levels to protect gender identity and expression, support gender-affirming care, support bans on conversion therapy, and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusive books in school curricula.
Last year AG Campbell filed a civil rights lawsuit against neo-Nazi group NSC-131 who repeatedly attempted to disrupt events organized by LGBTQ+ community groups including Drag Story Hours. The complaint alleges that during these events NSC-131 attacked members of the public; engaged in other threatening behavior; intimidated individuals; coerced behavior; and unlawfully interfered with access to event spaces in public libraries. The events targeted by NSC-131 took place between July 2022 and January 2023 across several Massachusetts locations.
More Than Words is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers system-involved youth aged 16-24 toward stable adulthood through job training within its $4M business operations while providing deep personal support on goals like education planning, financial literacy, housing stability among others.