The majority of their complaints were rooted in the religious teachings of the Bible, as they criticized exposing young children to drag as a “perversion of society.” Though some protestors were vocal about their opinions-including one woman who confronted Karl Maier, who owns Owl + Ivy with his wife, Jamie-the demonstration was peaceful. Outside, the protestors held signs and professed their opinions advocating against the event. “It’s so important to me to give back to my community and it’s so important to me to teach about including everyone, and gender identity and expression, and just making sure that people know that whoever they are, whatever they identify as, whatever they believe, they’re loved and they’re worthy.”

It’s events like this that really mean the most to me,” said Hoyle. Parents and kids took pictures with Hoyle afterward. Hoyle read “I Am Jazz” and “My Princess Boy,” children’s stories about a transgender child and children who dress in drag, respectively. Saturday was Hoyle’s first-ever time participating in a Drag Queen Story Hour, events which are held annually in locations across the state. Hoyle-whose real name is Matt Ramsey-has previously been named the 2018 Miss Gay North Carolina America and is a Top 10 finalist in the 2019 Miss Gay America pageant. Shelita Bonet Hoyle, who has been a drag queen for eight years, wore a flowing bright green dress, with colorful makeup and up-do hairstyle. Inside, the mood was all smiles, as about 40 children and adults gathered with three Charlotte-area drag queens, who read to the children, and lead them in a craft project making their own “prince or princess wands” and mini-dance party. The event was organized by the Charlotte chapter of the larger Drag Queen Story Hour organization.

Religious views, the freedom of expression and Drag Queen Story Hour converged in downtown Gastonia on Saturday morning.Ībout a dozen people stood in protest across the street from where the private event was held at the Owl + Ivy Healing Arts and Bohemian Style shop on South South Street.

K.I.D.S. by Trevor Hoyle