Public outcry derailed a planned drag queen story hour for children that was reportedly going to be held at an American air base library. Drag queen Stacey Teed was supposed to hold a 30-minute storytime with books at a library in Ramstein, Germany where the headquarters of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe are located.
“An advertisement was posted to the base library social media page before the event had completed Ramstein’s established processes for special observance coordination and approval,” Lt. Col. Will Powell, head of public affairs for the 86th Airlift Wing, said, according to The Military Times. “The advertisement has been removed and the event will not take place.”
Senator Marco Rubio sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on May 26 requesting officials not hold the event.
Rubio wrote:
“I urge you to immediately cancel this politically divisive event, and take appropriate disciplinary action against all involved in allowing this gross abuse of taxpayer funding to place children in a sexualized environment.”
In the original Facebook post, it was announced the library was “celebrating Pride Month” by hosting the event and encouraged attendees to “wear your brightest and most colorful outfits!”
After Powell issued a statement on the cancelation of the event, he noted leadership of Ramstein continues to strive to foster a “culture based on inclusion.”
