July 20, 2023
To kick off Pride Week in London, Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre partnered with the Rainbow Optimist Club to bring Drag Storytime to patients, families and staff.
Drag Queens Mz. Affra-Tighty and Lavender Skyes recently sat down for Drag Storytime at Children's Hospital. They spent the morning reading books and singing songs that promoted acceptance, inclusion, and diversity.
"I like the performance of the Drag Storytime because of the interaction, the clients, the children, passersby. Sometimes you get a really interesting look from someone, and they're curious as to what's going on. And then they come in, and they end up enjoying it with us," says Mz. Affra-Tighty who has been participating in Drag Storytime for nearly six years.
Established in 2018, the Rainbow Optimist Club aims to raise awareness, support and create inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ rural youth, their families and communities in Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford counties.
The Rainbow Optimist Club initiated Drag Storytime in 2019 at Parkhill Public Library. In 2020, Drag Kings joined the mix. Now, there are 15 drag performers working with the Rainbow Optimist club who sing songs and read stories that promote acceptance, inclusion and diversity.
Co-Founder Martin Withenshaw grew up in St. Thomas and, as a youth, knew that he could turn to the public library as a safe space. After the Rainbow Optimist Club received its charter in 2018, public libraries in rural communities continued to be a safe haven for the club and community members.
Today, the Rainbow Optimist Club runs several activities, including Drag Storytime, Creating a Safer Space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities workshops and a Rainbow Speakers Panel.
For Mz. Affra-Tighty, it's important the community understand that drag performers are activists within the community and adds, "I choose this. This is comfortable for me. It is easy for me to do because I've been doing it for so long and it allows me to express myself and interact with people and raise a lot of money for charity."
"It's just been really, really rewarding and I love these opportunities," says Lavender Skyes.
Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre is proud to partner with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to provide safe spaces for connecting, learning and imagination.
For more information, visit the Rainbow Optimist Club website.