On Oct. 22, 2023, The Boys and Girls Club of Garfield, NJ are planning to host a Drag Queen Story Hour. As concerned parents and members of this community, we strongly oppose the decision to promote such an event in a place that is meant to be safe for our children.

Growing up, I always believed that The Boys & Girls Club was a haven for children - a place where they could learn and grow in a nurturing environment. However, the introduction of Drag Queen Story Hour undermines this perception and raises serious concerns about the values being promoted within our community.

Drag queens have long been associated with adult entertainment found primarily in nightclubs. Their performances often involve sexualized content that is inappropriate for young minds. By bringing this form of entertainment into an establishment like The Boys & Girls Club, we risk exposing our impressionable children to highly sexualized content at an age when they should be shielded from such influences.

Furthermore, drag queens present a distorted vision of women that can be demeaning and offensive to many parents. These performances perpetuate harmful stereotypes by exaggerating femininity through excessive makeup and provocative clothing choices. This portrayal not only objectifies women but also fails to provide any educational value or positive role models for our children.

We believe it is essential for institutions like The Boys & Girls Club to prioritize events that align with their mission of providing safe spaces for children's growth and development. While promoting diversity and inclusion is important, it should not come at the expense of exposing young minds to adult-oriented content.

Our goal with this petition is not to discriminate against any individual or group but rather advocate for age-appropriate programming within organizations dedicated to serving our community's youth.

We urge The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield, NJ reconsider their decision regarding Drag Queen Story Hour and instead focus on organizing events that foster a positive, educational, and inclusive environment for our children. Together, let's ensure that our community remains a place where children can thrive without being exposed to adult-oriented content.

Sign this petition if you believe in protecting the innocence of our children and preserving the values we hold dear in Garfield, NJ.

Thank you for your support!