MILFORD – The public library will not be hosting a drag queen story hour soon, at least not in June, which is LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Resident George Hoyt had written to Wadleigh Memorial Library Director Betsy Solon requesting permission to put on the event.

“Teaching compassion and tolerance,” he said. “Towards those who are different is the only way where one day we can hope to have a society that truly believes in the words Love Your Neighbor As You Love Yourself.”

Solon responded saying the staff supports his efforts to bring tolerance and compassion to the community, but the library events calendar is full through the end of July.

“We have scheduled some activities and displays for Pride Month,” she said, “and feel those events will support both the library’s mission of inclusivity and your request to bring awareness to the LGBQT+ community.”

Solon also said the library might want to organize a story time festival/series for children and their families to interact with people who may be different – “a people in your neighborhood” kind of a thing.

“Some of the people youngsters might see out and about are strangers wearing uniforms or different kinds of clothes or makeup (drag kings and queens certainly fit this criteria), people of different color, people who carry guns, people in wheelchairs, people missing limbs or having a physical deformity, someone speaking another language, blind or deaf individuals, and even people suffering from obesity.”

Solon promised to reach out to Hoyt soon regarding his thoughts on possible performers/presenters.

The idea of drag queen story hours started in big city bookstores and libraries and last year spread to New Hampshire and Portsmouth library held one.

In January the Nashua Public Library held an event and there were some objections, but no real problems when New Hampshire drag queen Monique Toosoon led a program for mostly teenagers.

Kathy Cleveland may be reached at 673-3100 or kcleveland@cabinet.com.