Awkward moment, drag queen ‘Pickle’ is stopped from entering the California Library for kids’ drag queen story hour – while criticizing the district supervisor for organizing the event

This is the awkward moment a drag queen named Pickle was stopped by protesters from entering a California library for a drag queen story for children.

A group of at least 50 demonstrators showed up at the San Fernando Library to protest the event, titled “Drag Queen Storytime.”

According to an event listing, the event was to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, and Pickle would be joined by 3rd District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.

Because the demonstrators blocked the drag queen’s entrance to the building, the event was canceled at the last minute.

A video of Pickle being denied entry to the building has since been shared on social media, showing her surrounded by police officers as protesters shout and chant.

The video also shows one protester holding onto a library fence and shouting, “Leave our children alone.”

Another person can be heard saying to Pickle on a megaphone, “Bye,” as the drag queen looks on in bewilderment.

According to the LA County Library, the event would be a “fun story time” with “stories that promote diversity, equality and inclusivity.”

San Fernando Police Lt. Pete Aguirre said The San Fernando Sun that they were aware of the protest and sent officers, as well as a contingent of County Sheriffs.

He said: ‘Their main goal (was) to make sure no one was attacked, no one got hurt.

‘And in that respect we have been successful. Secondary to that was opening up the passage so people could get in and out.”

Aguirre confirmed to the newspaper that no one was arrested and that no violence ensued, despite protesters illegally blocking public spaces.

Protest organizer Alyssa Sonora also told the outlet, “Now we have to have these conversations with our children at such a young age.”

Sonora, co-founder of the community action group San Fernando Valley Alliance, added: “It’s frustrating. We weren’t ready to have these conversations with them.”

Pickle told the outlet, “Drag is an art form, like ballet or acting or singing — an art form that encourages expression.

‘The work I do is not only suitable for children, but is tailored to their educational goals and encourages them to learn.’

She continued, “It sets a very dangerous precedent to imagine that someone shouldn’t read stories because of the way they look.”

In a post on Instagram, Pickle added: ‘Once again, I am deeply appalled that people think it is okay to engage in this behavior for children who are looking for a safe place to read and enjoy books.

“I am certainly not intimidated by a crowd and am deeply disappointed that I and other patrons were physically prevented from entering a public library and that the program was canceled.

“I will conduct a thorough investigation into what happened today and will not stop until the responsible parties are held accountable.”

District Supervisor Horvath also took to social media and blasted the protesters for using “disgusting tactics.”

Horvath said, “Protesters claimed they wanted to keep children safe as they banged on doors, shouted obscenities and insults at my staff and library staff, and used strollers to block moving vehicles. The hypocrisy is astonishing.

“These disgusting tactics and attempts to incite violence prevented Pickle and Library patrons from even entering the building. I hope no one will do to their families what they did to their neighbors today.”

The subject of drag queens reading to minors has become a hot topic, with many states now banning it.

In May of this year, Montana became the first state to specifically ban people in drag from reading books to children in public schools and libraries.

Governor Greg Gianforte signed the bill because he “believes it is grossly inappropriate for small children, especially preschoolers and elementary school children, to be exposed to sexualized content.”

The bill initially sought to ban minors from attending drag performances, which were defined as shows that “aroused lustful thoughts.”

The legislation was later amended to ban minors from attending sexually oriented or obscene performances on public property.

The bill received intense public testimony at an earlier committee hearing in February.

Bills in Florida and Tennessee also appear to attempt to ban drag reading events, but both require the performances to be sexual in nature, which could be open to interpretation.

In Tennessee, bids in March to restrict drag performances in public spaces or in the presence of children were challenged by a federal judge who sided with a group that filed a lawsuit claiming the statute violated their First Amendment rights violates.

Critics have argued that the law banning drag-reading events limits freedom of expression and seeks to block efforts to let young people know they are not alone.