On May 21 at 1127 CET Ramstein & Volgelweh Air Force Libraries posted Drag Queen Story Time. On May 24, 2022 a series of events started that has devasted the Queer community and allies here at Ramstein AFB. The National File posted a news article on their Twitter fed at 1631 CET saying “EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Air Force Base Hosts Drag Queen Story Time”. In the article they claim that they were the outlet that is exclusively reporting this information and that a source told the National File that “The US Air Force is officially holding a drag queen story hour for children at their Ramstein AF Base Library. Really sick stuff…My tax dollars are being used by the MILITARY to sexualize children.”  It is unconfirmed if the source is from someone stationed at Ramstein, many comments were made by people not stationed here.

At 1300 CET the library, E Club and Monarchy of Royal TEA were informed of the Commanders decision. The library was told “you can do the event but remove the drag queen, have someone “normal” reading the stories”. The E Club was given a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” choice. That they could continue the event but no advertisement mentioning Drag Queens. In an act of solidarity against discrimination both the library and E Club canceled the events, the events would not be censored, no drag queens, no event.

The Post Millennial who also did an article added an update to their original post. No date or time was posted on the update but based on the timeline of events I assume it happened on Thursday May 26th.

In response to an inquiry from The Post Millennial, the 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs said that: "An advertisement was posted to the base library social media page before the event had completed Ramstein's established processes for special observance coordination and approval.  The advertisement has been removed and the event will not take place. Ramstein leaders strive to foster a culture based on inclusion where all people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their political views, color of their skin, or sexual orientation.  The base's established processes will ensure all future special observance events are properly reviewed and approved prior to advertisement."

All Pride events (Storytime, Drag Karaoke and the Drag Show) had an official FSS approved flyer, therefore they were approved. According to base guidance; We have a ticketing system, facilities put in tickets about upcoming events, we make the design, send them the proof, when approved by the facility we make all the files that are required, we send them the digital files so they can start advertising their events on social media and then we print the flyer and it gets sent to them.

Additionally, although a statement was supposedly given to The Post Millennial, no official statement was released by PA, FSS or the command. There only response was to delete all evidence associated with the Pride events (Facebook and Twitter), the day before a 4 day weekend. Instead of supporting the base and the community here on the MSG Commander and Lt. Col. Will Powell, Chief of Public Affairs, they likely made their decision based on hate filled discriminating comments on the Facebook event page (which has since been deleted) that was fueled by articles from right wing news. There are no privacy settings on the library Facebook page and after the news articles were released specifically calling out the libraries Facebook page ANYONE (even people not on the base) could have made the comments.

Originally the backlash was just in regards to the drag story time at the library which was also held last year. It's storytime not Rupauls Drag Race. Stacey Teed isn't a sexualized name, nor would they wear the same clothes they would for a show.

If you're not part of the Queer community or you don't know someone in the Queer community please don't make assumptions. Take this opportunity to ask questions or just have a conversation with someone, you'll see we aren't what main stream media makes us out to be we are just people trying to live our lives without being scared.

 Now more then ever we need to show our support to our enlisted members and spouses in the face of blatant discrimination. 

Gay pride or LGBT pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as a social group. Pride month is in June to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. It's dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ voices, celebration of LGBTQ culture and the support of LGBTQ rights.

Marsha P. Johnson, a self-identified drag queen and a prominent gay liberation activist, is one of the most well-known participants in the Stonewall uprising. Drag Queens deserve to be apart of Pride as much as anyone else. Pride events deserve to be run by Queer people and deserve to be on the advertising for their own event. Normal is conforming to a standard that is expected. These are socially constructed roles, behaviors, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women. Pride is about just being yourself and not who someone else wants you to be. Let the queens run the events and represent the LGBT community and pride for the KMC area like they did last year