A drag queen was filmed ordering children to sing ‘Free Palestine’ during a queer storytime event at a Massachusetts arts center.
Artist Lil Miss Hot Mess read stories to children during the Queer Storytime for Palestine event at the Northampton Center for the Arts on April 14.
The event, organized by Valley Families for Palestine, was aimed at children from preschool through upper elementary school.
Lil Miss Hot Mess wore a bright red dress, a green boa and a large watermelon-shaped brooch while reading her book ‘If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It.’
“If you’re a drag queen and you know it, shout ‘Free Palestine,'” the drag queen said.
Drag queen Lil Miss Hot Mess read her book ‘If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It’ and had the kids sing ‘Free Palestine’
The event, organized by Valley Families for Palestine, was aimed at children from preschool through upper elementary school.
‘Today what we are going to do is shout “Free Palestine!” Can I hear that?’
‘If you’re a drag queen and you know it and you really want to show it, if you’re a drag queen and you know it, shout “Free Palestine!”
The event included dancing, celebrating Palestinian culture, learning about queer heroes, and crafts.
Also in attendance were authors Hannah Moushabeck, a second-generation Palestinian American, and Sarah Prager.
Lil Miss Hot Mess shared photos of the reading on her Instagram with the caption: “Last weekend I had the honor of participating in a Queer Tale for Palestine.”
‘The event was a wonderful reminder of the power of imagination, community and organization, and at the same time it was heartbreaking to think about how we could feel so much joy together while Gazans (and especially Palestinian children) are suffering. Still, I maintain hope to work with children to achieve a just present and a liberating future.’
Moushabeck commented on the drag queen’s post: “It was a great honor and joy to perform with you.”
‘Thank you for coming to Northampton! My daughter still talks about the event and asks some interesting questions about using her voice,’ said attendee Maha Moushabeck.
“Thank you for coming to Western MA and showing my children, their friends and the community what it means to stand up for each other,” said Jill Brevik.
Event organizer Valley Families for Palestine said: “We came together today with joy and solidarity and learned some important lessons about how to be ourselves, use our voices to speak out against injustice, and be fabulous while doing it.”
Others criticized the event, saying that Hamas would treat pro-Palestinian queer supporters horribly.
‘This is crazy. And don’t even get me started on the irony of you defending your potential attacker (if you were to visit Gaza),’ said Naama Katoa.
The event included dancing, celebrating Palestinian culture, learning about queer heroes, and crafts.
Queers for Palestine events and marches have been criticized as a misguided show of support for a regime that does not support gay rights.
The Islamic State of the Middle East follows Sharia law and, as Amnesty International noted, is not safe for the queer community.
Palestine is the sixth worst country in the world in terms of legal rights and freedoms that LGBTQ+ people have, ranking 192 out of 197 countries, according to Equaldex LGBTQ+ Equality Index.
A Hamas terrorist commander, Mahmoud Ishtiwi, was tortured and killed by the organization in 2016 for allegedly having sexual relations with another man.
Ahmad Abu Marhia, a 25-year-old gay Palestinian, was found beheaded after receiving death threats because of his sexual identity.