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Agenda Item
16. Public Comment. Comment heard under this item will be limited to three minutes per person and may pertain to matters both on and off the Commission agenda. The Commission will also hear public comment during individual action items, with comment limited to three minutes per person. Comments are to be made to the Commission as a whole.
I am writing to support drag story hour. The fundamental message of drag story hour is that everyone is OK and has a place in our community just the way they are. There is no one way to be and that’s a message that is important for children to be able to hear for the variety of reasons. If people don’t want their children to attend drag story hour, they don’t have to go. But for those of us who are open minded and value diverse viewpoints, it is an important resource in our community.
I am writing in support of Drag Queen Story Hour. In recent years, Drag Queen Story Hour events have gained popularity across the United States and many other countries throughout the world as a way to promote diversity and inclusivity as well as a love of reading in libraries and schools. These events have created spaces where representation matters, and to some children who may not feel accepted in more mainstream spaces, it matters a lot. I believe families need to make the decision on what children should or should not learn. Freedom is choice…my choice!
I am writing in support of Drag Queen Story Hour. I am proud to say that I was born and raised here in Reno, Nevada, and one of the great things about our state (and country) is the freedom that we have to make our own choices - that means that if you don't want to attend Drag Queen Story Hour, you don't have to! But if you do want to attend, it's there for you with open arms. And for the people who do attend, it is a safe space of love and acceptance, which our children need now more than ever. Drag Queen Story hour exposes children to people of all walks of life, which teaches children early on about diversity and acceptance and understanding and valuing people's uniqueness. We are living in times of so much hate and animosity towards one another - let's set our children on a different path - one of empathy, compassion, celebrating individuality, fostering a safe and accepting community, empowering one another to be our true selves, and lest we forget - a love of books and reading! Thank you.
Respectfully,
Claire Hall
I am writing in support of Drag Queen Story Hour. In this time of economic difficulty for many Washoe County families, free public events like this provide parents with valuable options for educational entertainment for their children. Events like these help promote literacy and social skills necessary for success in the classroom, which will translate to a better educated community of skilled workers. If Drag Queen Story Hour is taken away from families, instead of being out in the community and learning, these young children will be sitting at home, being raised by screens. This event is very safe for children, as it takes place in a public location with parents present. It seems that those that object to this issue only want to tell other parents how they should raise their own children. Parents who find that Drag Queen Story Hour enriches the lives of their children should remain free to bring their kids, just as parents who object to Drag Queen Story Hour are free to not attend; therefore, there is no reason to prevent this event from taking place. Thank you for accepting and reading my comment on this matter, and please protect Drag Queen Story Time for the benefit of families in our community.
Children are not stupid. The more they are prevented from growth, the more ill prepared they are in their future. We have a political party that wants to ban books, certain subjects in school, a woman’s right to freedom regarding her own body, freedom to love whomever you want, and yet they call for “freedom of speech” in their own “situations” and the right to carry and use lethal weapons of mass destruction with no guardrails. I cannot believe what is happening in this society. What happened to loving everyone and coming to the aide of those in need. Why are we judging others, when we are all sinners. Instead,, we are a society filled with hatred, fear and rage. I’m sick of it. I am a great mom who raised an amazing daughter to now fear for her future. Let the queens speak and let those attend who want to attend. For those who don’t, stay home.
I am writing in support of drag queen story hour because I think the children of Washoe County deserve to have a children's book read to them at the library by a person who is not only performing a great service of reading to children but while simultaneously expressing their own art at the same time while entertaining the children to have fun. While I know that not all parents approve of drag queen story hour for their children, those parents should not be the minority of Washoe County residents that help get rid of something that so many children across our county enjoy. As someone who is disabled myself, I think drag queen story hour events that help promote inclusivity and diversity by providing a safe space for children to learn about different gender expressions and identities is always a great thing. It helps foster an environment where all children feel accepted and valued for who they are & I only wish I had found something like this myself as a child. Thank you for your time reading my thoughts on keep drag story hour & I urge you all to protect drag story hour at our local libraries.
Commissioners, my name is Joanne Walen, and I was a secondary teacher in WCSD for 30 years and am now a UNR Intern Supervisor. I support the continuation of the Drag Queen Story Hours because they promote inclusivity, diversity, acceptance, and literacy. They are not mandatory in any way, so no one is required to participate.
They celebrate individuality, encourage imagination, and provide a safe space for all children to learn and grow together. These events not only entertain but also have a lasting positive impact on the future generations of our community.
Drag queens and books have never resulted in the deaths of children, yet we seem unable to ban guns, which have. Please do not ban the story hours.
Thank you for your consideration of this issue.
I am absolutely in SUPPORT of Drag Story Time in Washoe County. It is important to show diversity, creativity and acceptance in our community. Drag time is optional to parents and teaches kids that they can be what they want to be without shame or judgement. If this kind of inclusion had been around earlier, I’m positive suicide and bullying statistics would be much lower in our community today. Tolerance and acceptance is important in becoming a functional society that can coexist peacefully and Drag Story time is but one avenue to expand these ideals.
I am in support of the Drag Queen Story Hour in Washoe County Libraries. I am a retired teacher and know that exposure to different lifestyles is important to combat bigotry. Drag Queens are just theater, not hurting anyone. I admire their willingness to put themselves out there to read to children.
I am in support of Drag Story Hour at our local libraries. Drag is an art form and parents should have the freedom to choose what art they expose their children to. Drag teaches inclusivity, individuality, and acceptance. Those who do not like an art form should not dictate if that art exists or not in public spaces. Those who don't value Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression should not dictate how others enjoy public programming.
I am writing in support of drag queen story hour and maintaining funding for the library system. Drag queen story hours teaches inclusivity and equality to children. If people do not want to participate, they simply don't have to attend. I hope that future trustees appointed to the library board will see the merits of Drag Story Hour as well. Additionally, libraries should not have banned books. All books should be available in libraries. If you do not want your kid reading a library book, simply don't check it out. Libraries are all about equity and inclusivity for all.
I am writing to support drag story hour. The fundamental message of drag story hour is that everyone is OK and has a place in our community just the way they are. There is no one way to be and that’s a message that is important for children to be able to hear for the variety of reasons. If people don’t want their children to attend drag story hour, they don’t have to go. But for those of us who are open minded and value diverse viewpoints, it is an important resource in our community.
I am writing in support of Drag Queen Story Hour. In recent years, Drag Queen Story Hour events have gained popularity across the United States and many other countries throughout the world as a way to promote diversity and inclusivity as well as a love of reading in libraries and schools. These events have created spaces where representation matters, and to some children who may not feel accepted in more mainstream spaces, it matters a lot. I believe families need to make the decision on what children should or should not learn. Freedom is choice…my choice!
I am writing in support of Drag Queen Story Hour. I am proud to say that I was born and raised here in Reno, Nevada, and one of the great things about our state (and country) is the freedom that we have to make our own choices - that means that if you don't want to attend Drag Queen Story Hour, you don't have to! But if you do want to attend, it's there for you with open arms. And for the people who do attend, it is a safe space of love and acceptance, which our children need now more than ever. Drag Queen Story hour exposes children to people of all walks of life, which teaches children early on about diversity and acceptance and understanding and valuing people's uniqueness. We are living in times of so much hate and animosity towards one another - let's set our children on a different path - one of empathy, compassion, celebrating individuality, fostering a safe and accepting community, empowering one another to be our true selves, and lest we forget - a love of books and reading! Thank you.
Respectfully,
Claire Hall
I am writing in support of Drag Queen Story Hour. In this time of economic difficulty for many Washoe County families, free public events like this provide parents with valuable options for educational entertainment for their children. Events like these help promote literacy and social skills necessary for success in the classroom, which will translate to a better educated community of skilled workers. If Drag Queen Story Hour is taken away from families, instead of being out in the community and learning, these young children will be sitting at home, being raised by screens. This event is very safe for children, as it takes place in a public location with parents present. It seems that those that object to this issue only want to tell other parents how they should raise their own children. Parents who find that Drag Queen Story Hour enriches the lives of their children should remain free to bring their kids, just as parents who object to Drag Queen Story Hour are free to not attend; therefore, there is no reason to prevent this event from taking place. Thank you for accepting and reading my comment on this matter, and please protect Drag Queen Story Time for the benefit of families in our community.
Children are not stupid. The more they are prevented from growth, the more ill prepared they are in their future. We have a political party that wants to ban books, certain subjects in school, a woman’s right to freedom regarding her own body, freedom to love whomever you want, and yet they call for “freedom of speech” in their own “situations” and the right to carry and use lethal weapons of mass destruction with no guardrails. I cannot believe what is happening in this society. What happened to loving everyone and coming to the aide of those in need. Why are we judging others, when we are all sinners. Instead,, we are a society filled with hatred, fear and rage. I’m sick of it. I am a great mom who raised an amazing daughter to now fear for her future. Let the queens speak and let those attend who want to attend. For those who don’t, stay home.
I am writing in support of drag queen story hour because I think the children of Washoe County deserve to have a children's book read to them at the library by a person who is not only performing a great service of reading to children but while simultaneously expressing their own art at the same time while entertaining the children to have fun. While I know that not all parents approve of drag queen story hour for their children, those parents should not be the minority of Washoe County residents that help get rid of something that so many children across our county enjoy. As someone who is disabled myself, I think drag queen story hour events that help promote inclusivity and diversity by providing a safe space for children to learn about different gender expressions and identities is always a great thing. It helps foster an environment where all children feel accepted and valued for who they are & I only wish I had found something like this myself as a child. Thank you for your time reading my thoughts on keep drag story hour & I urge you all to protect drag story hour at our local libraries.
Commissioners, my name is Joanne Walen, and I was a secondary teacher in WCSD for 30 years and am now a UNR Intern Supervisor. I support the continuation of the Drag Queen Story Hours because they promote inclusivity, diversity, acceptance, and literacy. They are not mandatory in any way, so no one is required to participate.
They celebrate individuality, encourage imagination, and provide a safe space for all children to learn and grow together. These events not only entertain but also have a lasting positive impact on the future generations of our community.
Drag queens and books have never resulted in the deaths of children, yet we seem unable to ban guns, which have. Please do not ban the story hours.
Thank you for your consideration of this issue.
I am absolutely in SUPPORT of Drag Story Time in Washoe County. It is important to show diversity, creativity and acceptance in our community. Drag time is optional to parents and teaches kids that they can be what they want to be without shame or judgement. If this kind of inclusion had been around earlier, I’m positive suicide and bullying statistics would be much lower in our community today. Tolerance and acceptance is important in becoming a functional society that can coexist peacefully and Drag Story time is but one avenue to expand these ideals.
I am in support of the Drag Queen Story Hour in Washoe County Libraries. I am a retired teacher and know that exposure to different lifestyles is important to combat bigotry. Drag Queens are just theater, not hurting anyone. I admire their willingness to put themselves out there to read to children.
I am in support of Drag Story Hour at our local libraries. Drag is an art form and parents should have the freedom to choose what art they expose their children to. Drag teaches inclusivity, individuality, and acceptance. Those who do not like an art form should not dictate if that art exists or not in public spaces. Those who don't value Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression should not dictate how others enjoy public programming.
I am writing in support of drag queen story hour and maintaining funding for the library system. Drag queen story hours teaches inclusivity and equality to children. If people do not want to participate, they simply don't have to attend. I hope that future trustees appointed to the library board will see the merits of Drag Story Hour as well. Additionally, libraries should not have banned books. All books should be available in libraries. If you do not want your kid reading a library book, simply don't check it out. Libraries are all about equity and inclusivity for all.