Press Release  In Celebration Of Pride Month, Attorney General Campbell Hosts Drag Story Hour At More Than Words In Boston

Boston — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell hosted a drag story hour yesterday at More Than Words in Boston. She was joined by local drag queen, Just JP, and an audience of children and their families, to read LGBTQ+ inclusive books: Julian is a Mermaid, Red: A Crayon’s Story, T'was the Night Before Pride, and Neither. 

Drag Story Hour was established in 2015 and creates opportunities for young people to learn from and engage in storytelling through the art of drag, while nurturing creativity in young minds, breaking down stereotypes, and creating an inclusive space for all children and families.  

“In order to celebrate diversity in all its forms, we must first create spaces that allow for people of all ages to show up as their authentic selves,” said AG Campbell. “I want to extend my gratitude to Just JP for facilitating our Drag Story Hour and to More Than Words for helping us put on an event that fosters celebration, understanding and empathy.”

“Youth education is a powerful tool for creating inclusive and diverse communities, and I am grateful to Attorney General Campbell for leading an Office focused on that work,” said Just JP. “It was an absolute joy to participate in today’s Drag Story Hour as we continue to celebrate and honor Pride Month.”

“More Than Words is all about empowering youth, and this event is just one more way to welcome our community and create safe spaces for young people,” said Jay, a More Than Words Alumna who opened the event. “We want to thank AG Campbell for being such a big supporter of youth, and Just JP for being fabulous and reading books with us today!”    

At today’s event the AG’s Office also highlighted resources for the LGBTQ+ community including the Office’s Mental Health and Gender-Affirming Care Resource Guide.  

AG Campbell has continued to reaffirm her commitment to protect and promote the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. This week, she released an updated Protections Against Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation guide with new information about how the law protects those who identify as nonbinary and/or transgender. Her office has also filed or joined various friend-of-the-court briefs at the state and federal level to protect gender identity and expression, support gender affirming care, support bans on conversion therapy, and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusive books in school curriculum.

And last year AG Campbell filed a civil rights lawsuit against neo-Nazi group NSC-131 who repeatedly attempted to disrupt and shut down events organized by LGBTQ+ community groups, including Drag Story Hours. The complaint alleges that during these events, NSC-131 attacked members of the public; engaged in other threatening, intimidating and coercive behavior; and unlawfully interfered with access to event spaces in public libraries. The events targeted by NSC-131 took place in July 2022 and August 2022 in Boston, December 2022 in Fall River, and January 2023 in Taunton.    

More Than Words is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers and supports system-involved youth to transition to a stable and successful adulthood. The organization works with young people ages 16-24, who are in the foster care system, court-involved, homeless, out of school, parenting, or involved with the Department of Mental Health. At More Than Words, youth run a successful $4M business as a vehicle for job training while also getting deep support on personal goals like education and career planning, financial literacy, housing, and more.   

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