Community Rallies Behind LGBTQ After SLz Protest

A poster in the window of the San Lorenzo Library invites readers to a Drag Queen Story Hour event last Friday. The sign was kept in the window to show support for the LGBTQ community following a protest.

Friends and supporters of local gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals are making a stand against hate and extremism following a disruption during a children’s story time at the San Lorenzo Library last Friday.

An afternoon event on June 11 called, “Drag Queen Story Hour” was disrupted after five men entered the library and began to shout homophobic and transphobic slurs at the event organizer. The men were described as members of the Proud Boys organization, known to be a right-wing hate group with anti-LGBTQ affiliations. The men were described as extremely aggressive with a threatening violent demeanor causing people to fear for their safety. Present at the event were children, parents, and other community members.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene and were able to de-escalate the situation.

San Lorenzo Librarian Cindy Chadwick said the storytime is designed for pre-school-aged children, but the event was open to anyone. The library has been hosting several LGBTQ events all month.

“The message here is that we will not tolerate this kind of intimidation and hostile behavior in the library and our library is open to everybody,” Chadwick said.

Witnesses say there were about a dozen men in all with most standing in the parking lot area. No arrests were made, but deputies say an active hate crime investigation is underway as is an investigation into the annoying and harassing of children.

“ACSO will dedicate all resources to ensure the safety of members of our LGBTQ community,” said Lt. Ray Kelly. “We will make sure any future events at the library are safe against hate speech and threats of violence. As we celebrate Pride Month, we will be swift in our response to any incidents where there are threats to harm members of this community.”

Drag Queen Story Hour was started in 2015 by author and activist Michelle Tea in San Francisco with the goal to "inspire a love of reading while teaching deeper lessons on diversity, self-love, and an appreciation of others.” Also known as Queen Story Hour, Drag Queen Storytime, and Drag Story Time, the events are hosted by drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores.

Saturday’s host, Panda Dulce continued the storytime after the protesters left but posted on social media later that day about the incident.

“What happened at San Lorenzo is merely the most recent link in a chain of premeditated homophobic and transphobic violence and this event will be far from the last,” Dulce said.

In response to the Proud Boys, Members of Castro Valley Pride hosted a rally this past Monday in support of LGBTQ families, library staff, and allies. About 20 people arrived in the San Lorenzo Library parking lot with large colorful flags and carrying signs of support.

US Representative Eric Swalwell issued a statement after learning about the event. The congressman said he will be flying home today to meet with the community and law enforcement in support.

"We must reject this hate and extremism whenever it shows itself,” Swalwell said. "There is no place for this hate in the East Bay, and we all need to speak up with one voice in saying so.”

Alameda County Sheriff's Office said they will post a patrol at the library for future reading events.

Castro Valley Library is also promoting that its Pride Storytime is happening on June 21 starting as 6:30 & 7:00pm.