Sydney Drag Queen Explains How Her Art Helps Parents And Kids

A drag queen has explained how her art helps parents and kids.

There has been a lot of drama over drag queens and their interactions with young people in the past few years.

Last month, we had the story of a group of protestors who charged into a Drag Queen Story Hour event in Queensland demanding the entertainers be taken away from children. There have been similar protests held around Australia and the rest of the world, with many people believing performers like these have no role in being around kids.

But Charisma Belle spoke to LADbible for our LEGENDS series and said: "I don't think people realise the amount of parents that have come up to us and said, 'Hey I think my son, my daughter is gay.'

"And to be able to have that one-on-one conversation with someone that understands a little more, that's probably one of my greatest achievements."

Charisma doesn't have the best relationship with her father and she wishes someone had been able to talk to her dad while she was a teenager.

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She explains that loads of parents come to her events, sometimes with their kids and it's a great way for them to experience different parts of the community.

Other drag queens say their interactions with kids provide opportunities for them to 'get creative' and 'think outside the boxes us silly adults have crafted for them'.

Academics have even praised things like Drag Queen Story Hour for their roles in helping people young and old see something different.

John Casey, an adjunct professor at Wagner College in New York City told the Advocate: "Drag queens] are incredibly talented, and they are trying to live their lives, and in the process, brighten the lives of those around them. That's the message parents should be communicating to their kids, at any age. It's all about acceptance and being loved for who you are."

While some might not understand drag queens or think they shouldn't be near children, they are, at their core, entertainers and know how to put on a good show. They're incredible communicators and can help parents if they believe their child might be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Topics: News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie