Children’s hospital hosts drag queen story hour to promote ‘acceptance, inclusion and diversity’ for sick kids in Ontario

The hospital announced on Thursday that to kick off London, Ontario’s Pride Week, the hospital partnered with the Rainbow Optimist Club to bring in drag queens Mz. Affra-Tighty and Lavender Skyes to read to patients under their care.

"They spent the morning reading books and singing songs that promoted acceptance, inclusion, and diversity," the hospital said.

In a video posted by the hospital, the two were seen reading from the book ’Twas The Night Before Pride and singing "If you’re a drag queen and you know it..."

"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," said Mz. Affra-Tighty.

The hospital stated that Affra-Tighty has been participating in Drag Storytimes for around six years.

The Rainbow Optimist Club was established in 2018 "to raise awareness, support and create inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ rural youth, their families and communities in Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford counties," and began running Drag Storytime in 2019, with 15 performers now working with the group for these events.

The children’s hospital said it is "proud to partner with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to provide safe spaces for connecting, learning and imagination."

Affra-Tighty has participated in bingo fundraising events, including one titled "B*tchy Drag Bag Big Box Bing & Go," as well as another put on by Youth Opportunities Unlimited called "B*tchy Drag Queen Bingo."

During Pride Month, Lavender Skyes advertised a drag event to take place in August called "Lillith Nox’s Cabaret of Curiosities," which Skyes said would be a "night of spooky and alternative drag, giving you a dose of Halloween to get you in the spirit."