CHULA VISTA — Two drag queens took the stage Tuesday as planned for the first Drag Queen Storytime at a Chula Vista library, while outside a crowd of about 200 supporters and protesters took over a parking lot.
The event went off without a hitch despite weeks of opposition and requests for the city to call it off, as has happened in other communities across the country in response to similar story times. Instead, the opposition gave rise to a wave of support as the city and many members of the community stood behind the event.
On Tuesday, police set up two “free speech zones” — separated by barriers — that allowed both groups to voice their opinions, with officers, some in plainclothes, between the two sides.
On the one side, supporters, who slightly outnumbered protesters, said the story time was an opportunity to teach children acceptance and tolerance.
“No hate, no fear — everyone is welcome here,” they chanted. The group included residents, faith leaders and elected officials such as Mayor Mary Salas.
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Raquelita, a drag queen, sings a song from the Little Mermaid during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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James Smith holds signs as he stands with protesters against the Drag Queen Story Hour while those in support of stories being read to children by drag queens chant slogans on the other side of a barrier at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Mary Salas, Mayor of Chula Vista voices her support during a rally before Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Protesters in support of the Drag Queen Story Hour march toward the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, to counter a group of protesters against the Story Hour on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Raquelita, a drag queen, twirls while reading the book Julian Is a Mermaid during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Raquelita, a drag queen, sings a song from the Little Mermaid during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Barbie-Q, a drag queen, sings a song from the movie Moana during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Barbie_Q, left, and Raquelita, sing the song Baby Shark during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Barbie_Q, a drag queen, sings the song Baby Shark during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Barbie_Q, a drag queen, sings the song Baby Shark during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Barbie-Q, a drag queen, sings a song from the movie Moana during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Raquelita, a drag queen, sings a song from the Little Mermaid during Drag Queen Story Time at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas leads a march of protesters in support of the Drag Queen Story Hour at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Supporters of Drag Queen Story Time walk to a rally before the event at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Supporters of Drag Queen Story Time walk to a rally before the event at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library on Sept. 10, 2019. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Dennis Hodges, a pastor with The Church of Yeshua, uses a loudspeaker to sing “Hallelujah” as he and protesters against the Drag Queen Story Hour demonstrate at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Sister April Hamm Linkin, with the San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, leads other supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour in a chant at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Karen Grube yells at supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour while she stands with protesters against the story hour at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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People protesting against the Drag Queen Story Hour hold rosary beads while praying next to a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour Hannah Usher, left, and her mother Coyote Moon hold up signs at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Gigi Masters goes live on FaceBook while standing with supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Karen Grube speaks to other protesters against the Drag Queen Story Hour at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Strawberry Corncakes chants slogans with other supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Chula Vista police prevent supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour from entering the area where protesters against the story hour are at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour yells at protesters against the story hour at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Kate Myer dances with other supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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With a rainbow flag draped over them, Violet Parmely-Den Herder, 19, left, and her sibling Ever Parmely-Den Herder, 16, stand with other supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour at the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Vinzent Balaoimg holds a cross toward supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour while she stands with protesters against the story hour at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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A woman gives a thumbs down toward supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour while she stands with protesters against the story hour at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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A man points toward supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour while he stands with protesters against the story hour at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Chula Vista police stand between supporters of the Drag Queen Story Hour and protesters against the story hour at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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A man against the Drag Queen Story Hour yells at supporters of the story hour on a loudspeaker at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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With her 2-year-old son Henry next to her, Alexandria Ott holds a sign in support of the Drag Queen Story Hour as she looks toward protesters holding signs against the story hour at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Sister Rita Booke, with the San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, reads a book to children outside of the Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Chula Vista, California. (Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
On the other side, some protesters said they didn’t think the event was age-appropriate, while others preached about it going against their religious beliefs. Opponents included residents, ministers and members of an anti-LGBTQ group known as MassResistance.
The controversy over the event spilled into an evening City Council meeting, with residents speaking in support and against the story time.
In the hour before the story time began, supporters gathered at nearby Friendship Park.
Chula Vista Councilman Steve Padilla urged the group to remain focused on their message of love.
“They want us to get angry,” he said. “They want us to get angry so they can have a spectacle …”
“We are going to do something much more powerful,” he said, drawing an applause.
Story time supporters chanted, “Say it loud, say it clear: Everyone is welcome here,” as they marched toward the library.
Salas said she viewed the story time as a way to teach children that no matter what they may face or however different they may feel — “whether they have big ears or walk with a limp” — they are accepted.
Salas said she tried to talk to as many protesters against the event as she could.
“They’re saying they’re praying for us? Well, I’m praying for them, too. That they come to some level of understanding,” Salas said of the protesters.
The mayor told the group of supporters not to lose hope and to keep trying to peacefully explain the purpose of the story time.
Some of the protesters said they did not have a problem with drag queens, but that they did not want them around children.
Dolores Williams, 66, of the Skyline area of San Diego, said she was there for her youngest grandchildren, ages 12 and 14.
“I am standing up for the rights of children to grow up as children and not to be indoctrinated into this kind of thing,” said Williams.
Hector Gastelum, who serves on the Otay Water District board, criticized Salas and Padilla for promoting the event, which he said was irresponsible.
“This material is just not age-appropriate for kids,” he said.
Chula Vista mom Rachel Danford-Smith said the event was exactly what she wanted her children, Grady and Anna, exposed to in order to teach them tolerance and love.
“I am really big on diversity,” said Danford-Smith, who teared up explaining why she brought her 3-year-old and 1-year-old.
“I want my children to know that we come from all walks of life and that it’s OK to be who you are,” she said.
Danford-Smith said her 1-year-old daughter, Anna, was exhausted from chasing bubbles during the entire story time.
“It was a lot fun. It was very interactive,” she said.
Sister Donatella Soul, a drag queen, brought Dr. Seuss books and crayons for the kids, saying she wanted the youngsters to realize they didn’t have to conform to society or religion by carrying guilt or stigma.
“I just want them to have joy in their life and make sure they stay in touch with their authentic self,” she said. She was not reading to the kids on this occasion but said she knew people who had participated in similar events.
Inside the library, parents and children filled an auditorium during two sessions of a lively story time with Raquelita and Barbie Q, the two drag queens who read picture books, danced and sang to the audience.
Many of the parents and children sported shiny gold crowns, feather boas and rainbow, heart-shaped stickers.
The crowd laughed and snapped their fingers as the duo on stage read two books: “Julián is a Mermaid” — a tale about a boy who makes his own mermaid costume at home, inspired by three women he sees on a subway — and “It’s Okay to Be Different,” which delivers a message of acceptance, tolerance and confidence.
And when Raquelita and Barbie Q performed two songs from Disney classics — “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid” and “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana” — the audience sang along and cheered them on.
Spring Valley resident Gabriela Prendimano said she felt it was all the more important to turn out to support the LGBTQ community in response to the opposition.
“I’m not going to let her grow up thinking that it’s OK to be hateful like these people outside,” she said, looking over at her daughter.
Courtney Ware, of Spring Valley, said it was clear to her which side was right about the event.
“It was everything that the library promised it would be and nothing that the haters said it would be,” she said as she carried her toddler son, who wore a golden crown.
“The whole room was filled with positive energy,” she added. “I almost felt like crying.”
