Drag queens can do a lot of things, many of which entail engaging people. Recently, some of them are being involved in storytelling sessions, utilizing their looks and personas to promote
open-mindedness and the love for reading and introduce young audiences to the diversity of identities and respect for these differences.
In the Philippines, Baguio City has hosted storytelling sessions led by drag queens. Recently, Mt Cloud Bookshop included a drag queen in its regular storytelling program. Located on Yangco Road, Mt Cloud is a quaint independent local bookshop that has been one of the premier cultural spaces in northern Luzon.
On 18 June, Baguio City's most known drag performer, Mx Kiki Krunch, read two children's books — Ang Nanay ni Erwin, Ang Tatay ni Klara (2018) by Eugene Y. Evasco and Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin (2012) by Bernadette Villanueva Neri —which celebrate queer Filipino families and parenting. The event was in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month and part of Northern Luzon Pride in Baguio City.
This was the second time that a storytelling session with a drag queen was held. In June 2021, the Pride Story Time was held for the first time, also featuring Mx Kiki Krunch and also at Mt Cloud Bookshop. It was organized by Spaces MNL and Mt Cloud Bookshop, in cooperation with Kasarian Gender Studies Program of University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio, Amnesty International Philippines, UP Baguio, Bahaghari UP Baguio Chapter, UP Babaylan Baguio Chapter, and UP Baguio University Student Council.
"The aim of this activity is to share, with many children as possible, stories about the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines. It also aims to teach the younger generation about the diversity of gender and the attitude of acceptance that will surely foster a safe and loving space among them," explained Kasarian.
