Afterschool program disinvites drag queen from reading to kids

NBC10.com

Martha Graham Cracker performed for a group of children on Sunday only a few days after she was disinvited from reading at a New Jersey afterschool program.

A Philadelphia drag queen read and performed for a group of children on Sunday, only a few days after she was disinvited from reading at a New Jersey afterschool program.


Martha Graham Cracker, the alter-ego of theater artist Dito Van Reigersberg, is a professional drag performer and lead singer at the Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret.

Philly.com reports that the cabaret’s band leader was recently contacted by a supervisor at Haddonfield Child Care, a private organization that provides afterschool care for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The supervisor asked via email if Martha could read to the children as part of the National Read Across America Day, according to the Huffington Post, claiming that he was “trying to add a bit of variety” to the program.


Yet while Martha accepted the offer, officials at Haddonfield told the supervisor that his choice was “not acceptable,” according to the Huffington Post, forcing the supervisor to cancel Martha’s appearance. The Huffington Post reports that the supervisor claimed he was never given an official reason from the program as to why Martha would be an inappropriate guest.

After the canceled invite was first reported by Philadelphia Magazine, support for Martha poured in, with many commenting on the performer’s Facebook Page.

Ultimately, the story caught the attention of Christ Church in Philadelphia who invited Martha to read Dr. Seuss to children. This time the invite was not retracted and Martha performed at the church’s neighborhood home Sunday afternoon.

"I think it was unfortunate that the decision was no, for the sake of the children and for the sake of forward thinking and for the sake of great art and entertainment," said Deborah Block, a parent who attended Sunday's reading. "It's a wonderful way of honoring Dr. Seuss. Martha Graham Cracker is the embodiment of the Dr. Seuss 'wonder of the world.' It's beautiful."

"What do you say to people who believe it confuses children and that they shouldn't be exposed to that sort of behavior?" asked NBC10's Daralene Jones.

"Our world is full of wonderful paradoxes," replied Block. "The younger they are to get to see the inconsistencies and the questions of the world, the more they'll get to grapple with them and understand."

The Haddonfield Child Care Board of Trustees released the following statement in response to the canceled appearance:

Haddonfield Child Care is committed to providing an environment that recognizes and encourages diversity in our staff and activities. Along with that commitment comes a responsibility to be sensitive to the developmental levels, maturity and ages of the children in our programs, which range from 5 to 11 years old. We strive to provide a variety of activities that respect the individual needs and parenting styles of all of the families we serve.

Discuss this post

That's a person with issues.

Issues that don't need to involve innocent children.

  • 4 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Mar 3, 2013 10:25 PM EST

Why would those children no longer be innocent if this person reads a classic to them. It's about the culture of reading, not the person. What's really sad is that there are people out there like you that would make assumptions as they'd be harmful to our youth in this country. When's the last time you've heard of a drag queen molesting kids after reading to them, you know, like some priests that get the (automatic) trust in our intolerant society.

  • 2 votes
#1.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:09 AM EST

Good, there is enough same sex acceptance nonsense all over TV. Kids need to be kids and not have to be thinking about why some guy is dressed up as a women and hates himself !

  • 3 votes
#1.2 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:43 AM EST

mike

i think the children would be more interested in the Dr. Seuss story and not sharing in your odd obsession with drag queens and homosexuals

  • 1 vote
#1.3 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 9:12 AM EST
Reply

Disgusting ..

    Reply#2 - Sun Mar 3, 2013 10:47 PM EST

    You what's really disgusting; throngs of people in drive-thrus or waiting in lines in fast food restaurants, waiting for their processed red meat sandwiches to be made by 20 different hands. Yet someone wanting to read a children's classic to young kids, whoever they may be, is disgusting. Did it ever occur to you that this person may be just doing this because it is a good thing to do?

    • 1 vote
    #2.1 - Mon Mar 4, 2013 12:12 AM EST
    Reply

    Couldnt agree more warren. People seem to think children should not be "exposed" and yet I have to wonder at what age parents plan on telling them that not everyone is like them. Time for people to wake up and realize the world is what it is and many different types of people from bigots to drag queens live on this planet. You can shelter you children for a while but at some point they will still have to step out of the parental protection and face the world. Wouldnt it be easier for them if they have already been educated?

    • 2 votes
    Reply#3 - Sun Mar 3, 2013 10:53 PM EST

    I don't see the issue... so what if a Drag Queen reads a book? Not like he was making out with a dude or dressing like Madonna or Britney Spears... from the pic, seems pretty harmless.

    • 3 votes
    Reply#4 - Sun Mar 3, 2013 10:58 PM EST

    I agree with Sadden American,

    There are straight, standard role models who do inappropriate things. And there are un-orthodoxed people who do extremely positive and beautiful things. Circus clowns often "cross dress". Is The Haddonfield Child Care Board of Trustees suggesting that children should no longer attend the circus? There has also been an explosion of movies and TV shows with men, many if them straight playing women's roles, and women playing men's roles. What's the big deal?

    The content of the presentation is the issue. and yes that would probably include "modest dress". But don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Just because this performer is a drag queen, I don't think its fair to assume that his performances will be improper, just as it would be irresponsible to assume that a man in men's clothing is automatically free from suspicion. Ms. Graham Cracker was apparently chosen on the merit of her performance. She was dismissed for no reason other than a narrow view of what an individual can be.

    By all means preview the performance, edit and critique it, and if it is "inappropriate" make your case, and many "drag queens" ma even agree with you. Haddonfield Child Care, has made no case here.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#5 - Sun Mar 3, 2013 11:54 PM EST

    The day carel did the responsible thing. They are responsible for all the children not just those who have parents who may be tolerate of this behavior. Law suit are ramped in this country. Now I don't understand why Christ Church would sponsor Dr. Seus. Reading to our kids is a great thing, but content is also important.

      Reply#6 - Tue Mar 5, 2013 10:59 AM EST
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