- by Kelly Babcock

On Saturday, July 8, our perfectly inclusive public library held Drag Story Time. They invited children who were library members to bring a parent or guardian and attend. My son immediately applied for his library card and registered himself, his mother and me.

I was hesitant, as you can imagine. "They'll make me sing along." I said. My wife pointed out that I love to sing. "Oh, right." I said, and that was that.

As the day of the event drew nearer it became apparent that we were lucky to have been signed up early. The event was terribly popular. I wondered why that would be. It became even more obvious that we were lucky to have managed to register when we heard that Pride Grey Bruce was staging a gathering outside the library to celebrate the attendance of those of us who managed to get registered.

Finally it was Saturday and we headed to the library. Wow, what a scene awaited us. Rainbows were everywhere, bubbles filled the air. We were ushered into the library by way of a processional under a giant rainbow parachute while people cheered and celebrated.

Our credentials were checked at the door to make sure we were among the registrants; events this popular often have to turn away door crashers because of building occupancy regulations.

Soon we were ushered into the library auditorium where further signs of a good time were everywhere. I grudgingly allowed my picture to be taken with my son and his mother, and then we found seats and settled in to be story timed.

Do you know how much magic there is in story time when it's performed by people with passion and honesty? The event was barely underway and already the whole room was having a great time. Children were singing along. Children were reading along. Children were laughing and cheering and dancing and shouting out answers to questions asked in the story books.

If I had been asked to review this event I would have been writing about wonderful talent and spectacular clothing and great and entertaining content, but I wasn't asked to review it so I won't go on about what those less fortunate than we missed out on.

I will say this though, we have a common wealth in our local library and Drag Story Time was one of the best things on offer there in my opinion. And I'm saying that as someone who has had his own written words available to the public at that same library.

Drag Story Time is something I hope my son takes me to often. It's part of the big, beautiful and diverse world that he has inherited.