#drag storytime

[qnewsau]

Public Libraries Victoria launch Rainbow Libraries Toolkit

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/public-libraries-victoria-launch-rainbow-libraries-toolkit/

Public Libraries Victoria launch Rainbow Libraries Toolkit

Helping support libraries to be visibly inclusive and welcoming for all, Public Libraries Victoria has launched the Rainbow Libraries Toolkit.

With the rise of misinformation and far-right hate, libraries have become an unnecessary battleground in the fight for inclusion.

Not only a place for reading and learning, they are community hubs and intersectional pathways creating accessible connections for all.

A toolkit was launched on Wear It Purple Day to support libraries across Victoria to be more inclusive spaces for our communities,

Minister for Equality Harriet Shing joined Public Libraries Victoria CEO Angela Savage to officially launch the Rainbow Libraries Toolkit.

“The Rainbow Libraries toolkit affirms libraries’ commitment to creating safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for our diverse communities,” Public Libraries Victoria CEO Angela Savage said.

Mulgrave MP Eden Foster added, “Our libraries should be places where everyone feels welcome – this toolkit helps make that a reality for LGBTIQA+ families.”

Rainbow Community Angels at Rainbow Story Time outside Eltham Library

Libraries are safe spaces for LGBTIQA+ young people

The toolkit was established in response to a need for better information and training to support public library staff welcoming LGBTIQA+ families into public libraries.

This came in response to the rise in the vilification of LGBTIQA+ communities and targeting of LGBTIQA+ inclusive events, including drag storytime events for rainbow young people held at libraries.

“We will always back our LGBTIQA+ communities as we work to build a state where all people, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, can live wholly and freely,” Minister for Equality Harriet Shing said.

“The Rainbow Libraries Toolkit ensures that all Victorians, regardless of identity, have a place in our public libraries – because libraries are a space that everyone should be able to access,” Local Government Minister Melissa Horne said.

Libraries are crucial safe spaces for LGBTIQA+ young people and the toolkit guides staff on topics to support that.

This includes planning for inclusive library events, making library spaces visibly inclusive and how book collections can better meet the needs of diverse rainbow communities.

The Allan Labor Government allocated $14,020 through the Public Libraries Funding Program 2023-2024 to develop the toolkit in consultation with Switchboard Victoria. 

Resources like the toolkit play a critical role in achieving the objectives of Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022-2032 – a road map to ensure all Victorians feel safe, have equal rights and live wholly and freely.

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For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[fixing-bad-posts]

[Image description: A tumblr post, edited blackout-poetry style to read, "children need to be exposed to drag."]

---

children need to be exposed to drag

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

Was Frank present when Eddie got dropped in the water? Bc that sounds goddamn hilarious.

no but Wally had to go over to him like "um. Frank. i dropped Eddie-" "you what" "-in the water. i dropped him in the water" "you WHAT?" and then they went to the Lake™️ to just. stare at his facedown unconscious body.

[terry-the-shark]

I'm back from a trip to France (so now I'll post more again lol) and like, obviously a lot of things are different, like language and so forth (I did manage to speak multiple coherent sentences in French, I'm so proud (basically just "I would like 2 baguettes please" and "do you have a thing without gluten" lol)), but one thing in particular struck me that I didn't expect. I saw police officers here and there, walking around, chilling, going on their laptops in a hotel foyer for some reason I don't want to know (all unusual enough bc the police do fuckall in my town) - with, like, guns. It probably sounds odd to this American ass website but it genuinely really shocked and frightened me. Like obviously it's a thing I'm aware of in theory, but seeing it in person made it very real - that there is a weapon for hurting people. You're walking around in public (next to a kids play area in one case!) with a machine that murders people.

[primalspice]

OC-TOBER DAY 05: LACE

region zero's most qualified transvestite

[qserasera]

why did no one tell me that the link click ED songs were Such a Bop!!!!

[eraofecholalia]

Posting tiktoks on Tumblr may be cringe, but I said I was bringing back Tumblr fake stories so to critics I say "I like your shoelaces" (also song is from my EP, "42, END ALL" in Jesus's slutty name amen)

[rubythecrimsonwriter]

One of my coworkers was recovering from bronchitis and her voice sounded like she had taken up chewing on rocks, so when a regular called she picked up the phone and said

"I'm Batman"

To the astonishment and delight of our regular. I patted her on the shoulder and told her I'd take her any day over Batman to work with and my OTHER coworker says, "yeah, Bruce Wayne wouldn't know how to rinse out a pitcher to save his life."

The customer in the drive thru, eavesdropping on the chaos, said "who's Bruce Wayne?" I'm done. Maximum chaos potentiality reached.

[daggersandarrows]

the thing about john mulaney is that like. he's not awful ENOUGH that i've stopped referencing his material, but he is enough of a little bitch that i will make reference to him and then sigh dramatically and want to kick him a little bit. can't go "i don't remember tHAT in hamilton" or "and me? i've got all these fucking markers" or "you know, like a liar :)" without going aughhhhhh why is this idiot so relatable

[qnewsau]

Switchboard Victoria's LGBTQIA+ tram makes its final run

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/switchboards-lgbtqia-tram/

Switchboard Victoria's LGBTQIA+ tram makes its final run

Part of the Yarra Trams Community Partnership Program, Switchboard’s Tram makes its final turn on the tracks this week.

In April, Switchboard Victoria unveiled their “Connecting the LGBTIQA+ Community” Yarra Tram, travelling across Melbourne on Routes and 109.

The community-based not-for-profit is one of six branded trams that travel around Melbourne.

What did these organisations have in common? Their commitment to creating a more resilient and sustainable Melbourne.

Adorned in artwork by illustrator Jacq Moon, the Switchboard tram makes its final journey on the tracks this week.

“This would be one of the most exciting projects I’ve been commissioned for,” Moon said.

“Creating the illustrations for the tram was a chance to capture some of the beauty in the way our community connects and supports each other.

“The design was to encourage connection, conversation and provide help-seeking support for the LGBTIQA+ community.”

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive,” Moon said.

“Queer joy can be found through connection, peer support and unapologetic pride every day.”

It’s more than getting from A to B

Switchboard provides crucial peer-driven support services for Victorian LGBTIQA+ communities, allies, friends, carers and families.

The tram illustrations on the tram included people reaching for support, playing sports with pride, drag story time, pride in ageing, and more.

During Pride month, Switchboard and Yarra Trams came together and hosted a story time onboard the tram.

With stories read by drag performer Frock Hudson, Minister for Equality Harriet Shing and a group of rainbow families were onboard.

On that day Switchboard CEO Joe Ball reflected on the power of positive stories, and that people had reached out and connected with Switchboard’s services by seeing the tram along its route.

“Hundreds of thousands of people have seen this vibrant tram, including many in the community who are feeling isolated, attacked and alone,” Joe said.

“My hope is inclusion, acceptance, and the safety of LGBTIQA+ people is as synonymous with being Victorian as a Melbourne tram is.

“I couldn’t be prouder to see these beautifully designed messages of hope and love, weaving through the suburbs and CBD.”

Visibility can make all the difference

Switchboard proudly continues its community legacies of caring for its own. The organization provides ongoing support and services to Victoria’s ever-evolving LGBTIQA+ communities. 

“Organisations like Switchboard deliver vital support services to LGBTQIA+ people, their families and allies in our community,” Yarra Trams CEO Carla Purcell said.

“This tram highlights the importance of LGBTIQA+ inclusion and belonging, and we are proud to support this tram through our Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program.”

The partnership theme for the trams is ‘Uplift, Empower and Grow’.

Other recipients include Bailey House’s Hidden Disability Sunflower, DeadlyScience, Tradeswomen Australia, Western Chances and WISE Employment.

Last week Switchboard was part of launching a national campaign called Changing the Landscape.

Changing the Landscape is a commitment to creating a future where LGBTIQA+SB suicide prevention is a national priority.

A future where the healthcare sector and government take action towards a suicide prevention system where LGBTIQA+SB lived experiences are valued as expertise in shaping care.

When you see it this week, take a moment to take the tram and its artwork in.

Visibility and pride pop up when you least expect it. No matter where you see it, it never stops being powerful.

Find out more about the tram, and the services Switchboard provides here.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[interstellar-elf]

The one thing I noticed very early on while analyzing Satanic Panic media from the 80s/90s is just how much of it targets public schools and education. Like half of the documentaries will start off like “schools are teaching children the occult” and touch upon that for the next hour or so. It’s something I don’t think is talked about a lot when it comes to the Satanic Panic, but the amount of focus on schools, on children’s media is admittedly, the one thing that always jumps out at me.

[foxghost]

Today - the world outside my window is YELLOW and looks downright apocalyptic (wildfires. so many wildfires) - kidlet biked to school wearing a respirator mask the air is SOUP - I have reworked my outline for the first 1/3 of my story and deleted one of the POVs altogether - I am now the proud owner of a C1 Baizhu - considering starting a drag-king harmony group for protest reasons - seriously i used to teach harmony groups for a living this is totally doable - maybe run it over with the nonprofit activist group I volunteer with the next time we meet

[katesattic]

I see the transphobia’s in full swing tonight.

[coochiequeens]

I don’t agree with violence, I don’t agree with armed protesters and I don’t agree with parents who would consider bringing their child to an event where they could see violence just so they can virtue signaling

By Dennis Romero

The hosts of a "Drag Queen Story Hour"-style event for children in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday pulled the plug because of what they described as the intimidating presence of right-wing demonstrators.

The scheduled holiday themed "Holi-Drag Storytime" at the First Unitarian Church of Columbus, which runs the K-5 institution behind the event, Red Oak Community School, was canceled at the last-minute Saturday morning following internal discussions, organizers said.

Members of Ohio's Proud Boys organization and other right-wing groups made good on promises to make waves outside the venue Saturday. More than 50 demonstrators, including members of the Proud Boys, gathered near the church Saturday morning and shouted, chanted and held up signs. Some were armed with long guns.

As some Republican lawmakers and state leaders have sought to limit the rights of transgender people and make them a campaign issue, right-wing extremists have mounted parallel campaigns on the streets.

Some have all but denied the existence of nonbinary people, embraced legislation limiting transgender student participation in sports, decried gender-neutral bathrooms, and made unfounded allegations about connections between transgender people and certain types of crime.

The Proud Boys has been described by the FBI as an "extremist group with ties to white nationalism." 

Five of its members, including Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, were indicted by a federal grand jury on seditious conspiracy charges in connection with their alleged participation in an effort Jan. 6 to overturn the 2020 presidential election in favor of former President Donald Trump. They pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

Fear in Columbus over the week was great enough that the nonprofit Equality Ohio urged LGBTQ+ people and allies not to counterprotest because the situation outside the venue Saturday could be "potentially volatile and dangerous," according to a statement.

"Drag Queen Story Hour" events in Oregon and California this year have been targeted by right-wing demonstrators who have come armed, thrown items, and shouted transphobic slurs.

Following last month's mass shooting at a Colorado Springs, Colorado LGBTQ+ bar that killed five following a "Drag Divas" performance, some high-profile drag performers have increased their security protocols, such as hiring armed guards.

Saturday morning, speaking on the event's stage, framed by holiday decor that included a Christmas tree in the rainbow colors of the pride flag, Red Oak Community School manager Cheryl Ryan made an emotional video address explaining why "Holi-Drag Storytime" was canceled. 

She said that while police acknowledged the event, collaboration was lacking, and some of the participants felt unsafe, despite the planned presence of more than 100 security volunteers who planned to create a human perimeter around the venue.

Ryan blamed local leaders, including law enforcement, for letting members of the Proud Boys and other right-wing demonstrators gather while the audience for "Holi-Drag Storytime" ultimately could not.

"I received hundreds of emails, calls and messages from folks in the community asking, How can I help? What can I do? I’m ready to show up," Ryan said. "I never heard this message form the city’s leadership and those whose job it is to protect us."

She said the event sold nearly 1,000 individual tickets, the vast majority going to supporters who had no intention of attending.

ok tinfoil hat moment. Are they exposing kids to drag so they can gain sympathy, victim status and $ from people when right wing lunatics protest?

[bexfangirlforlife]

I was in a movie theatre yesterday and in the hallway they had different wall colours around the doors for the halls/auditoriums. 4 and 5 were right next to each other, but a bit extra from the others and those two had the colours green and blue. I wasn't paying much attention anf was about to go through the door, when my friend said 'look it's green and blue!!!'

[dragonwysper]

YES. Please question every scrap of information that is fed to you. Always and constantly. Info doesn't have to be blatant harmful bullshit for you to question its legitimacy. Dogwhistles and half-truths turn into that blatant bullshit, and by the time it gets there, you're already too deep.