U.S. State Spends $83K On Training Featuring Drag Queen Story Hour Director

By
David Rufful
-
OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.

Many Americans have expressed their concern and frustration after learning the state of Washington is spending big money on “diversity training” with the controversial executive director of Drag Queen Story Hour, Jonathan Hamilt.

Hamilt, who supports the performances of drag in front of children, will share “the necessity of LGBTQAI+ family programming and how the powerful art-form of drag teaches young humans about inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and the vital freedom of self-expression.”

This will cost taxpayers in the state an estimated $83,000. The training, referred to as “Washington DEI Empowerment Conference,” will include talks on diversity, “anti-racism” and equity.

Hayden Michaels, the deputy communications director of the Office of Financial Management, said, “We expect the cost of putting on the conference to be about $83,000.”

“With 16 sessions and 5,000 seats each session, this works out to $1.06 per seat.”

On June 21st, a keynote speech titled “Drag Story Hour and Fireside Chat” will be presented at the conference. The speech will defend the performance of drag in front of children and will feature Jonathan Hamilton, the Executive Director of Drag Queen Story Hour, who dresses in drag and aims to provide accepting programming for kids to heal his inner child.

However, Drag Queen Story Hour has been criticized for bringing registered sex offenders into close contact with children at their events on multiple occasions. The speech will also feature Alex Petrovina and Sam Mendum-Purdy of the Trans Formations Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting trans kids and educating about the anti-trans legislative crisis in the United States.

The conference will also feature a talk titled “Incorporating DEIB and Anti-Racism Work into Recruitment,” which aims to create equity and inclusion in talent acquisition and Human Resources. Speakers Lisa Grund and Tangi Tash hope to establish authenticity and antiracism as a way of life at work.

Finally, a session called “The Elephant in the Room” will address America’s persistent sin of racism. The talk will be led by Phillip Jacobs, who previously directed the Washington Employers for Racial Equity.