Drag queens read books at centre of 'No Outsiders' LGBT row to children at Birmingham event

Drag queens have been reading some of the books at the centre of the ‘No Outsiders’ row to children in Birmingham as part of an event at the city’s museum and art gallery.

The event at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s Mini-Museum on Saturday comes after protests over the books outside Parkfield Community School in Birmingham.

The books are part of the No Outsiders programme, which teaches tolerance of diverse groups, including those of different race, gender and sexual orientation.

But some parents said children should not be being taught about LGBT issues and launched protests, prompting some other schools to halt the lessons.

At the event on Saturday in Birmingham, drag queens from the group Fantabulosa! read stories from the books to children in what the museum described as a “morning of storytelling, song, fantastical costumes, and plenty of glitter!”.

In its promotion of the event, which was billed as suitable for ages three to eight, the museum said: “Come and listen to some of Birmingham’s best drag artists reading wonderful stories, where boundaries are forgotten and everyone and anyone can be whoever they want to be.”

Adam Carver, who runs Fantabulosa, told the BBC: “I wanted to do something that would be really positive, but also give people the chance to hear the stories that are involved in these programmes for themselves.

“There’s been a lot of myths and a lot of misconceptions around what’s happening.”

Many commented on the positivity of the event, with one person writing on Twitter: “To all the homophobic people who think LGBT existence shouldn’t be taught at primary schools & to young kids What is wrong with this? Is it really damaging kids, brain washing them? Keep up the good work Fantabulosa!”

Another said: “Just watched @fantabulosa_ and it was such a warm, joyous, and fun event. Seeing drag queens tell these stories to kids has been nice and healing. When it goes on tour please take your little ones to go and see it.”